I have a 2012 Drifter 1500.
Harborfreight.com has a Pittsburgh 1500 lb. motorcycle lift for under $200. Looking to get something I can lift up bike to make maintenance on it easier.
Does anyone have this and would recommend it?
https://www.harborfreight.com/1500-lbs-capacity-atv-motorcycle-lift-63397.html
There was another lift on that sight for less, but in reading the customer's reviews, I noticed one guy had a Drifter and said that the pads didn't fit all the way across so it didn't really work well for him. Didn't see any comments on this particular item that related to a Drifter, but thought I would ask around here to see if anyone else has it and it works great for their bike.
On the 1500 Drifter, the engine hangs lower than the frame. You need a lift adapter to properly lift the bike by the frame. When you have the adapter you can use the lower priced Harbor Freight lift/jack. Here's the ebay link for the lift adapter https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kawasaki-Vulcan-Nomad-Classic-Drifter-Meanstreak-Marauder-Jack-Adapter/261336651366?hash=item3cd8e0d666:g:fpYAAOxyNDxRY5Rg:rk:1:pf:1&frcectupt=true
Here's one that I made a couple of years ago. It works great. https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/index.php?topic=42464.msg93859#msg93859
Quote from: Old Drifter on December 10, 2018, 21:57:26 PM
On the 1500 Drifter, the engine hangs lower than the frame. You need a lift adapter to properly lift the bike by the frame. When you have the adapter you can use the lower priced Harbor Freight lift/jack. Here's the ebay link for the lift adapter https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kawasaki-Vulcan-Nomad-Classic-Drifter-Meanstreak-Marauder-Jack-Adapter/261336651366?hash=item3cd8e0d666:g:fpYAAOxyNDxRY5Rg:rk:1:pf:1&frcectupt=true
Here's one that I made a couple of years ago. It works great. https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/index.php?topic=42464.msg93859#msg93859
Gene, Thanks for the info. Good to know.
I'd like to add my 1.5 cent...
As you will note, I own a 800 so I dunno if this will really help, but I've bought this lift via Ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Cavalletto-Alzamoto-Cric-Sollevatore-Moto-Ponte-Sollevatore-Moto-fino-a-450-kg/112620792492?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649
It's really rock solid and well made and, most of all, it's good for ma-deuce: its 2 u-shaped elements that go underneath the frame of the bike are adjustable in height, so the engine doesn't touch the base of the lift.
The maximum lifting height is about 49 centimeters (19"): enough to raise up each wheel from the ground.
And its price is cheap! ;)
I saw the ones that Marco is referring to, good jack. I believe they will work on the 1500 also, however it won't lift the whole motorcycle at once, only the front or rear.
I've had both the one in the original Posters link and in mittico68's link. I found the original one, when it was up in a higher position, always left me with a feeling the bike might fall off it. I prefer the lower one from mittico68's post.