Perform Metals CR2L Lift...
Motorcycle lifts are a must have if you plan on wrenching on your bike at home. Standard full-size lifts are great for performing any and all maintenance, but they're heavy and not easy to move around. If you're looking for a quick and easy option for getting your two wheels off the ground, we found a trick little lift from Perform Metals called the CR2L ($175).
Perform Metals based in Chardon, Ohio, has been CNC-machining parts for motorcycles and other industries since 1996. With the CR2L's rugged billet aluminum and stainless steel construction, it definitely feels like it's going to last. The CR2L is lightweight (23 pounds), and is operated via a manual foot lever while rolling the bike backward in a simultaneous motion. Once lifted off the ground, there's a locking pin to prevent slippage so that your precious gem stays on the lift, not on its side.
After putting it to the test with an almost 800-pound '10 Victory Cross Roads, it fared pretty well. Because the bike is heavier than some average cruisers, it took us a few tries to get it to work. But once we did, the Cross Roads seemed pretty stable when jacked up. We simply placed the lift under the bike, got the lever to the point where we needed to until we were ready to roll the bike back while giving the lever our all, and voila, the bike was off the ground. For removing the front wheel, or getting to things underneath the bike, the CR2L works great.
For more info contact Perform Metals at (440) 286-1951 or performmetals.net.
Master Lock
Keeping It In It Place
One of the worst feelings you could have as a bike owner is to park your bike in a place you think is safe only to come out after a few minutes to see an empty parking space where your bike was. These days it's not even safe to park in front of a police station. A good thief, or should I say an a$&#@&#, that wants your bike probably already has it all figured out, he just needs the opportunity and time. Head to the next bike rally and pull into the parking lot and ask yourself, "Is my bike the next target? Does it stand out?" If you want to park and leave your bike all alone, you can add a few things, like locks, to make it stand out. Think about the scumbag looking to steal a bike. For him, opportunity is a bike without a lock on it. So if you lock up your bike with big visual devices like bright colors and big cables, then he will pass on it and look for an easier target. Here are a few locks from Master Lock to help you feel a little better the next time to park and leave your bike. The first one is the 833 DPS ($19.95) disc brake lock with a bright-red cord to help remind you to remove it before riding away. It's small at 2 inches long by 1 inch wide, and can easily fit in a pocket or hang from your belt. It features an easy-to-use push-button locking system for the security cylinder and steel shackle. Once the lock is in place on the rotor, it prevents rollaway theft. The bike can't be pushed into a truck or trailer.
If you are looking for even more, the Quantum Cuff ($42.59) may be what you are looking for with its 6-foot cable and integrated cuff lock. The cuff is 3 inches around and can be secured to sign posts or parking meters. The cable is braided steel to resist cutting and sawing, and is vinyl-coated to prevent scratches to paint or chrome. It has a pushbutton keyless locking mechanism and a heat-treated patented lock core that is virtually pick proof. It can be looped through the frame, wheels, or frontend, then to a pole or even a second bike.
For more info contact Master Lock at (800) 464-2088 or masterlock.com.