Ducati Monster Forum

Age is creeping up on me, and my joints can't handle kneeling and crawling on my concrete floor while wrenching on my bike.  So with a little bit of ingenuity, lumber and screws, I built myself a bike bench.  Total height with the casters is about 20" tall, and its 26" wide.  Perfect to service the lower parts while sitting on a short stool, and easy to work on the top controls while standing up.  Swivel locking casters are recommended if you want to build one.  Total cost about $50

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZEk0E_KPDwc/USRdQynprgI/AAAAAAAAAjs/heYFCp2rH-8/s911/2013-02-19)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-oYCDIXO-oHM/USRdZ_ZhOpI/AAAAAAAAAj4/vCnHKvowrLA/s911/2013-02-19)

Any pictures?  I am curious to see what it looks like.

pics are posted. Don't they work?

Nope, you are trying to show us your email attachments...
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https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/?saduie=AG9B_P9kNB98pz-l-VMktzjjJE2d&attid=0.1&disp=emb&view=att&th=13cf5e49beb613df

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fixed. Sorry about that.

Nice job.  What do you use for a ramp, stop ramp/bench movement etc. when loading?

Yea, how do you get it up there?  Also curious. 

I use an 8' long 2x8" plank with a ramp end bolted to the end of it, and just push it up.   I wouldnt make the bench any taller than 20~22" high, because the incline for rolling the bike up will get more difficult.

fantastic [clap]

you should post up some dimensions if youre feeling froggy for us who are inclined to build ourselves

its pretty straightforward.

I used 8 pieces of 2x4" x 8' lumber
1 sheet of 4'x8' 3/4" plywood
4  3" locking swivel casters rated for 125lbs each
4" screws for framing
1.5" screws for securing the plywood top

The table legs are 16" tall
the table top is 26" wide by 82" long

frame out the top to those dimensions. Place bracing at approx. 16" on center
frame out the bottom shelf to be on the "inside" of the table legs and your leftover half of the plywood can be cut to size and installed below as a parts shelf.

Add some diagonal bracing on the legs to the top frame.  Screw or bolt on your casters and your good to go!

A wheel chock and eyelet hooks can be added if you like and maybe some grip tape to make it really fancy.

Oh and dont forget the beer while your building it!  [beer]

Looks 99% done.  Just needs integrated cup holder. ;D

Not to worry, I've got a beer fridge in the garage  ;)

Fantastic job!  [thumbsup]

Good job brother. Looks perfect. 👏👏👏

Nice!!!!!

Add a wheel chock and it will be perfect...overall, quality build.

I dont care to have wheel chock on mine.  It will get in the way when I want to use my front stand.

How do you keep the stands in place?  That would make me very nervous....+1 for a wheel chock. 

they keep themselves in place.  They dont roll even if I try pushing the bike front and back.  I do however have a wedge placed at the stands wheels.

You should use some thin sheet metal flashing with a 90 degree bend on the top for the edges so they dont get all knackered and banged up.

Ill definately be building myself one of these once I get some spare cash.

I thought of using some drywall corner bead, but its really not necessary.  You really dont bang in to it.  I can see with time (years) the top surface getting worn from dropping tools on top of it. 

Looks great! I might just have to try my hand at building one. I wonder would could be put over the top to make it easier clean once i inevitably spill oil on it. A decent sheet of Aluminum?

I wouldn't make the surface slippery. If you were to add something for spills I guess you could place it under the engine area.  As long as it's structurally solid, there really isn't a right or wrong to it.  Whatever works best for you.

I built a table like that long ago for a racebike project.
I didn't paint or cover it, and pretty quick it looked like ass.

Paint or metal for the top, IMO.

As far as slippery, my shop lifts are painted (or powdercoated, not sure which) and it's not a problem.
That's assuming you clean up oil/coolant/whatever spills before rolling on or off...

Now that i think about it, maybe i can find some cheap "diamond plate" aluminium or paint it with truck bed liner spray. Either should work well.

Hmmmmm.... maybe I roll some paint on it.  Ducati red anyone?  LOL!!  thanks for the tip  ;)

I'm sure there's some good paint, maybe epoxy, ducpainter might know.

IMO, go with smooth alumimum.
Diamond plate will be a PITA, go regular sheet.

what about flat sheets of HVAC ducting material? Its pretty cheap.  Usually used to pan out joist for a cold air return in a homes heating system.

In the construction field we use a type of plywood call "formply". We use it in build concrete forms. It has a top layer on it that is smooth and very durable. We can use the same form may times over. So maybe thats a option. Its more expense then regular plywood...but save a step and...it will last forever.

I say to just cover it with Duct Tape!!!

bah... its only a sheet of plywood. Takes nothing to replace when needed and I cant see it wearing out THAT quickly.  After all whats really going on top of it?  Tires, tools and the odd chemical spill. 

may I make a general suggestion for to put where the chocks and wheels are only...some skateboard grip tape!

perhaps like this from these guys for example http://www.skatewarehouse.com/griptape.html (http://www.skatewarehouse.com/griptape.html)

(http://img.skatewarehouse.com/new_big/CEHWGT-1.jpg)

yup, think I mentioned that in an earlier post. small squares of wire mesh used for doing scratch coat for tiles.

very nice!

I've been thinking of doing this for awhile for the two monsters in the garage. I'm 45 and the list of injuries is a long one and like yourself, crawling around on the concrete floor is getting tougher every year.

Thanks for posting the pics, I'll use them as a template.

I can vouch for the design. I used 20in for the posts, works perfectly.

(https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/734472_10151574930195348_1036062830_n.jpg)

Looks fantastic!  Good job.  I wanted to build mine with taller legs so I can have taller storage capacity on the bottom shelf, but working on the top controls would have been out of reach.  I'm 6" tall and just barely find it comfortable to work on the top portion of the bike with the height of my bench.

It looks like it may occupy alot of floor space if you're lacking, but it can easily be stood up against a wall and out of the way.

 

Thanks! Thanks for the plans and write up. I'm no carpenter but it wasn't too hard to put together. You are right about it being a little too tall. I'm pretty much eye level with the top of the bike. It was nice to able to sit on two milk crates and clean the bottom of the engine with actually being able to see. If I need to be taller i can just stand on a milk crate.

Not to hijack the thread but I built a bench a few years ago and it all breaks down when not in use. 


In preparation for a winter tear down.  I read this on another forum and thought I'd give it a try.
$60 in 3/4 plywood and a few cuts.  


Website with plans

http://www.bbcracing.com/old/box/ (http://www.bbcracing.com/old/box/)

Finished product

(http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff27/charlieff/IMG_2029.jpg)

with top off

(http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff27/charlieff/IMG_2032.jpg)

to aid in assembly I used bar soap

(http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff27/charlieff/IMG_2027.jpg)

I could have built a bench but then it would take up room in the garage when not in use.  This box breaks down to 2'x8'x about 4".

I made 2 brackets out of 1"x48" steel.  Mounted them to my ceiling and everything hangs up nice.

(http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff27/charlieff/IMG_2016.jpg)
(http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff27/charlieff/IMG_2036.jpg)
(http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff27/charlieff/IMG_2037.jpg)

I can take everything down and together in about ten minutes.  This will do for now until a lift comes my way.

I'll get a pic with the bike on it in a few days.

(http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff27/charlieff/photo-3.jpg)

No wheel chock because I was tearing the whole bike apart.  But one could be mounted on the front. 

I came across those plans, but opted for the style I built simply for the ease of rolling it around in the garage and the storage shelf underneath.  I know I'll use mine a couple of times a year, even for simple oil changes and service.

Nice job!

If I had the room I'd build yours. I do love the extra storage built in.... That's a great feature.