Building small motorcycle work stations, questions:

[speeder]

I want to build a couple of boxes out of strong plywood and interior framing to use as platforms for working on bikes, maybe 2' off the ground and 2' wide by 6.5' long. The basic box is easy and simple enough but I'd like to have some parts and tool space underneath, (inside the box), and need advice on best way to make them solid yet open.

I've considered taking a jigsaw to the sides and opening up cubby holes or putting supporting pieces from left-right and opening sides, the problem is that the sides would of course be a major structural component that ties the whole box together. My drawing skills haven't improved much since 4th grade but here is a sketch of what I have in mind:

[speeder]

Any help appreciated! Thanks.

[varmint]

like the plan, but for the plywood.

i had something similar. i used 2x4s. couple hooks on the side for straps. space underneath for tools and a hole in the center for draining fluids into the pans. nailed a cheap harbor freight wheel chock to the front. poor mans solution. but worked.

so much better than crawling around on the ground. and could never quite justify the handy bike lift.

Motorcycle Lifts | ATV & Snowmobile Lifts | Truck Tailgates | Handy Industries

[motion]

Denis, I know guys that build and use these types of stands. Why not just get the Harbor Freight motorcycle lift? If you dig around for a coupon, you can pick one up for $299. I have one and love it.

Motorcycle Lift Table, 1000 Lb. Capacity

[speeder]

Originally Posted by varmint

like the plan, but for the plywood.

i had something similar. i used 2x4s. couple hooks on the side for straps. space underneath for tools and a hole in the center for draining fluids into the pans. nailed a cheap harbor freight wheel chock to the front. poor mans solution. but worked.

so much better than crawling around on the ground. and could never quite justify the handy bike lift.

Motorcycle Lifts | ATV & Snowmobile Lifts | Truck Tailgates | Handy Industries

Thanks, those are some good features. We were thinking of just using regular stands, (pitbull, etc.), to hold the bike up and steady but hooks and a chock are good ideas too. I was going to frame it inside with 2x4s and cover with thick plywood, just want them to be sturdy and not wobble loose. I was going to cover bottoms with cheap carpet maybe so they could be dragged around easily when not being used, maybe not needed(?)

Definitely better than laying on ground, which I'm doing sometimes now.

Originally Posted by motion

Denis, I know guys that build and use these types of stands. Why not just get the Harbor Freight motorcycle lift? If you dig around for a coupon, you can pick one up for $299. I have one and love it.

Motorcycle Lift Table, 1000 Lb. Capacity

We already have a bike lift in the space, not a cheap one, though. They are nice but take up lots of space and we have a lot of bikes there. This is a friend's shop and he has probably 7 or 8 bikes in various stages from projects to ready to ride street bikes. He's been generous with letting me use the shop to work on my bike and I want to build him a couple of these boxes for project bikes that will hold the bike plus all of the removed parts in one moveable modular unit plus room for tools. It's not a business, so multiple bike lifts with the attendant technicians is not the picture here.

[Rick V]

Why not just get a couple of rollcarts and bolt them together? They are on wheels have storage under them and you can bolt any kind of attachments/chocks you want

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Rick V

Why not just get a couple of rollcarts and bolt them together? They are on wheels have storage under them and you can bolt any kind of attachments/chocks you want

I thought about something on wheels but decided that I want it a lot sturdier and not moveable while in use. Thanks just the same, I appreciate all feedback on this.

[speeder]

Jigsaw an opening like this, maybe on both sides?

[dlockhart]

A good thread that covers MC work tables. I have several of the break- down style in use. One always travels to the track with me. (see pic in the thread)

Motorcycle Work Table Thread - Triumph675.Net Forums

[rwest]

If you just make the front open, the plywood back will give it a great deal of strength and resist racking, if you make it open on both sides, you'll need to work harder at bracing it.

[oldE]

Forget the sides.
The wheels on a bike are on the center line, so try it like this:

One piece as a spine with a couple of slots for cross pieces . Put it together with a top, bottom and ends. Add some cleats at the joins for additional strength. Basically, you've built an "I" beam with stiffening ribs. You have storage in both sides and it's lighter than if you built a box with sides and stiffer since the beam is on the center line.

Have fun.
Les

[speeder]

Originally Posted by dlockhart

A good thread that covers MC work tables. I have several of the break- down style in use. One always travels to the track with me. (see pic in the thread)

Motorcycle Work Table Thread - Triumph675.Net Forums

Awesome ideas in that thread, thanks! Think I might just build one like the first one pictured, super simple and looks really strong!

[varmint]

i don't remember the dimensions. but i wish i'd built it wider. top heavy with a bike on it. and should have made a better ramp set up. was always tense getting the bikes on and off.

but for something built with dumpster lumber it was pretty good. got to the point where people i barely knew were inviting themselves over to work on their bikes.

[speeder]

I'm thinking 2' wide and 2' tall, (or slightly shorter). Wider than the wheel stands by a bit with plenty of room for tools and parts on top but doesn't take up excessive room in shop.

[Hugh R]

Originally Posted by motion

Denis, I know guys that build and use these types of stands. Why not just get the Harbor Freight motorcycle lift? If you dig around for a coupon, you can pick one up for $299. I have one and love it.

Motorcycle Lift Table, 1000 Lb. Capacity

This...I have a Sears Version, it doesn't lift as high, but its the way to go, it also has wheels so you can move the bike around.

[Tobra]

Seems like if you had even rudimentary skills, you could make something that would be just the ticket for this out of a shopping cart.

I am not advocating that you steal a shopping cart.

I would probably build it out of 2 x 4 wood if I were using wood.

[Rot 911]

Friend of mine made a table using a hospital bed frame. Bought the frame at an auction. Wheels lock it in place.

[speeder]

That's cool. Clever idea.

[Tobra]

Probably pretty cheap too. Will hold at least 300#, and if it you buy one that works, you can make it go up and down, tilt, whatever.

[jorian]

This thing is pretty cool.

Apex Portable Worktable