Bike Ramp/Lift Repair

JRA · L Plate Warrior Joined: 27 Aug 2019 Karma :

Long story short I inherited a Bike, a BMW GS1200 a few years ago from my father, I was half tempted to learn to ride, but decided bikes are not for me and I sold the bike.

However my father had a workshop for it which had a decent bike ramp. At the time before selling it, I maintained the bike for a while and on one occasion stupidly left the bike on the ramp with it lifted and no suprise it no longer lifts, likely the seals are damaged.

However this is where is gets tricky for me, I have been looking for somewhere to get the hydraulic ram repaired, but there is no manufacturer markings on the ramp and my father obtained this ramp from an old friend who ran a commercial bike shop for several decades and I think its either an old make or custom made (the friend had a lot of this type of equipment he'd made over the years).

I am in the NW of England, would anyone have have any knowledge of a reputable company that would be able to assess and repair something like this thats reasonably local.
I don't really want to just scrap it, outside of the ram the thing is pretty much bomb proof.

I have attached a pic showing the ram. I would really appriciate any help.

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

Any hydraulic repair company such as Pirtek could repair it, if you show the complete bench it would be possible to put a name to it.

1198 · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Jan 2013 Karma :

What’s your plans for the bench? If you’re planning on just selling it why not sell it ‘needs work, ram needs overhauling’ or words to that effect?

ZebraDriver · Scooby Slapper Joined: 13 Feb 2011 Karma :

It may be a simple repair. I got duped into buying a faulty one. The guy had a bike engine sitting on it when I went to view it and showed me it lifting up and down. Bought it and took it home only to find that the thing wouldn't lift a full bike.

A wee bit of investigation (after checking the oil level) showed that the relief valve (that stops it lifting too much) was passing oil. The solution was simple. First you need to find the valve - its probably looks like a bolt head marked "do not adjust" or something similar. With the lift down unscrew the "bolt", COUNTING HOW MANY TURNS IT TAKES TO UNSCREW. Behind the bolt you should find a spring and a ball bearing. clean the ball bearing, if its rusted, replace it. Then after cleaning the seat that the ball sits against, pop the bearing back in its place and take a suitable sized punch (slightly smaller than the diameter of the ball) and give the ball a good hard thump into its seat. Then reassemble the spring and the "bolt", making sure that you return it to its original position.

Assuming that the problem with your lift was the same as mine it should now work.

Good luck.

Lone-Wolf · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Jul 2004 Karma :

Wotcha.

Looks like the ram on my Clarkes bike lift . . . Machinemart's own brand I believe.
____________________
Cheers.
^..^
L.W. - www.moonshiners.org.uk

JRA · L Plate Warrior Joined: 27 Aug 2019 Karma :

Thanks for the advice and suggestions. I'll get a photo of the ramp (although its in the down position) may give some guide as to find out if its a known make.

And I'll have a look into the relief valve though at the moment the ramp will not raise at all loaded or unloaded.

I don't think it's a Machinemart one as the ramp is nothing like what I can find on google. I'll see what I can do about getting a photo with it lifted.

As for a final plan, tbh I'm not 100% sure. Part of its nostalgia in part, would like to see it working again and its something tinker with I guess.