Workshop Bits

We all talk about mods to the bikes, but how, where and with what are we doing it. I know some have the dealers do the work, and many of us love to work on the bikes (some more than others) but I'm interested in knowing what others have set up for their shop space.

For example, I built a simple table for my 97' YZF when I worked on the bike along side the lawn mower where I previously lived. Now I have a dedicated space for the bike(s) and the table is long gone. What are others using for tables to work on their bikes?

I have a concrete floor...a rolling toolbox...a half working fluorescent light...and ambition. Yet somehow I have managed to rebuild 3 Ducatis at this point.

I have a concrete floor, a little roller seat and a couple rolling toolboxes filled with tools that are haphazardly thrown together, some halogen work lights and a refrigerator full of adult beverages, and a small humidor with some victory dances for when the job is done...

I would love to get a lift, or build a table but I feel like it would cramp space even more...maybe ill put together a dedicated spot when I build a house

i have a self built table, a self built tire changer, air compressor, self made balancer, tool box, breaker bars, ramps...

just closed on a house yesterday with 900 squft of basement, with a nice wide entry door. climate controlled. thick iron screen door additionally from the inside.

PHL my wife was irritated when we were house shopping because I always went straight to the garage/barn/pole barn and started measuring. It was all for naught as I am now moving to Japan for at least 3 years though.

I have 1000 sq ft of garage space but with 2 cars , 10 motorcycles and a few other toys there is not enough space so I am in the process of adding another 650 sq ft. I have a couple of rolling toolboxes , air comp , parts washer, etc but by far the best thing I have in there for working on bikes is an air lift work table, no more getting down on the floor to remove sump plugs or undo fairing bolts .
Its from the land of China but is reasonable quality , has worked faultlessly and was cheap enough.

haha, understood. i am looking forward to having just the 2 cars in the attached garage, the spare car(s) in the (4 car size barn) and the trailer right next to it. and all the motorcycle stuff in the basement.

i will definitely look into getting a bike lift and also a welder.
i ahave all sorts of machines here at work (lathe, mills, edm) so no need for that.
and i pay the guys at the toolshop in m&m's by the pound , which is still way cheaper than having it done somewhere.

crankman said:

I have 1000 sq ft of garage space but with 2 cars , 10 motorcycles and a few other toys there is not enough space so I am in the process of adding another 650 sq ft. I have a couple of rolling toolboxes , air comp , parts washer, etc but by far the best thing I have in there for working on bikes is an air lift work table, no more getting down on the floor to remove sump plugs or undo fairing bolts .
Its from the land of China but is reasonable quality , has worked faultlessly and was cheap enough.

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What's the brand of your lift and where did you get it?

I'm looking to get one like the ones at work, but they're a little pricey
Moving soon into a place that has more room and it's time to act.
Also looking at a Bead Blaster. Tradetools are looking good at this stage.

apex manufacturing Work table, large stand up toolbox and work bench/table with vice for safety wire tapping in the garage.. small set up in the basement for winter weather

Brad said:

What's the brand of your lift and where did you get it?

I'm looking to get one like the ones at work, but they're a little pricey
Moving soon into a place that has more room and it's time to act.
Also looking at a Bead Blaster. Tradetools are looking good at this stage.

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Brad I got it from the guy that imports them who was at that stage up on the Sunshine Coast in the hinterland but I believe that location was only temporary . Top guy has done heaps around bikes throughout his life and has a stack of nice bikes , mint 750 four,z900 kawka and a bunch of Ducati's ,ended up spending a few hours there chatting and looking at bikes. I can't remember his name for sure but was Steve I think?
I will do a bit of looking and see if I can find some contact details and get back to you

Brad , here is the web page for the guy, hope this helps

Compressed Air Bike Lifter - Air Lifting Hoist for Motorcycle - Warana Imports Queensland Australia

Here is a sample of the table I built. I use the ramp and either a helper or the motor to put it up. The height is critical such that you need to be able to put your hands on both bars. It has served me well and took less than an hour with basic tools. Now I thinking about a simple paddock table since they fold away and are light.

I now have a refinished counter, small compressor, plenty of lighting and several parts cabinets, besides the host of hand tools.

One thing I use quite a bit is the mobile stand I had made. I found it easier to lift the bike off the motor than drop/raise the motor.

How do others store their fairings when working on the bike?

crankman said:

Brad , here is the web page for the guy, hope this helps

Compressed Air Bike Lifter - Air Lifting Hoist for Motorcycle - Warana Imports Queensland Australia

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Thanks Heaps.
Will check them out

gobozo said:

How do others store their fairings when working on the bike?

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I use 3.2 mm diameter Aluminium(5356 grade) TIG welding rods hung up high on the other side of the w/shop wall by a bolt through a loop formed at the end of the rod just big enough for the bolt.
I put a 1"- 1.5" bent hook on the other end of the rod to go through the screw holes in the fairings.
5183 grade rods are good too as they have comparable properties/strength.

Be warned, If you're keen on pursuing the Aluminium welding rod idea don't go for 4043 grade rods for welding castings.
For safety they should be off limits because the material is a little too ductile for comfort and "may" straighten when you don't want it to.
It shouldn't be a problem with DUCATI fairings though, because they're so light.

Otherwise some proper fencing wire will do as well but it's a little harder to form as required.

I used the aluminium rods because they're already straight as they come out of the box, where as fencing wire has to be straightened out(Too much mucking around).
I also have them in stock for the odd welding job

To protect the panel around the screw hole, I put a piece of heat shrink on the bent hook end about 5" long to protect the paint on the fairing in the area around the hole.

Done this way, the fairings hang flat against the wall and well out of harms way. This leaves the work area well clear and not taking up space on the workbench or lying around on the floor to potentially get damaged.

The only thing that's stored on the workbench is the fuel tank all covered up and well away from the vice end.

I rented storage space behind a strip mall I found a great deal on and did some minor renovation (new drywall, electric and lights). Building my own little private shop. Snow is slowing progress but should be done by the end of the month.