New Garage
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3,875 Posts
Sounds like you're on a tight budget, both space and money wise.
A long time ago, I built a roll up stand out of 2x4's and thick plywood I liberated from government shipping containers. It worked for me for 8 years.
I built it sturdy enough to roll my GS1000 and Sportster up.
On tools, don't skimp. If you find you need a tool, go out and get it. You will probably need it again.
A long time ago, I built a roll up stand out of 2x4's and thick plywood I liberated from government shipping containers. It worked for me for 8 years.
I built it sturdy enough to roll my GS1000 and Sportster up.
On tools, don't skimp. If you find you need a tool, go out and get it. You will probably need it again.
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3,640 Posts
Go to HD or Lowes and buy twice the number of 48" flourescent fixtures you think you need. Get the cheap ones that have the overhead reflectors.
If you have a couple extra bucks, spring for the safety sleeves that fit over the bulbs. Especially for the fixture hanging over your workbench.
If you have a couple extra bucks, spring for the safety sleeves that fit over the bulbs. Especially for the fixture hanging over your workbench.
Get a book called "How to Set Up Your Motorcycle Workshop" by G. G. Masi. Available through Whitehorse press. Lots of cool tips, but the smallest shop he talks about is 12 by 24.
No such thing as too much light or too many outlets. Bench and cabinet space is a trade off for bike storage space.
Have at least one set of shelves that is empty now, you'll need a place to put things like seats and gas tanks when you're working on a bike.
Check out a lift called eazy rizer at http://www.bike-lift.com/
It's semi portable and won't take up valuable floor space all the time.
Good Luck, you'll find it's an evolutionary process.
No such thing as too much light or too many outlets. Bench and cabinet space is a trade off for bike storage space.
Have at least one set of shelves that is empty now, you'll need a place to put things like seats and gas tanks when you're working on a bike.
Check out a lift called eazy rizer at http://www.bike-lift.com/
It's semi portable and won't take up valuable floor space all the time.
Good Luck, you'll find it's an evolutionary process.
Joined
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11,488 Posts
Yes, nothing adds to your day like being showered with broken glass and phosphorous.
Joined
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11,488 Posts
Here's a Pro's new shop: http://www.meccanicacorse.net/gallery/album14
J.D. Hord has been doin' this a few years now, I'd feel free to copy some of his ideas that take your fancy (although his new shop is bigger than the space you've got to work with).
J.D. Hord has been doin' this a few years now, I'd feel free to copy some of his ideas that take your fancy (although his new shop is bigger than the space you've got to work with).
Get you some of this stuff.
http://www.rubbermaid.com/rubbermaid/product/parentCategory.jhtml?pCat=HPCat100573
http://www.rubbermaid.com/rubbermaid/product/parentCategory.jhtml?pCat=HPCat100573
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8,715 Posts
Hang three rows of flourescent lights, then paint the walls and floor High Gloss white. You can never have too much light in a shop. You'll need a good sturdy work bench that's high enough that you don't wreck your back working with parts on it. A drill press, a hydraulic press for bearings, a grinder with wire wheel, a small wire feed welder if you're flush, some gas bottles, a good rollaway tool box with everything from torx bits to metric allen wrenches, sockets and box end wrenches, a small air compressor, a deep sink if you can plumb it and a beer fridge. I also have a recliner in mine that a neighbor was going to toss but you might be cramped for space so that's optional. Some kind of radio or CD player....a dart board is fun...
That's about a perfect set up I think.
That's about a perfect set up I think.
The good news is you don't need much.
For lighting, just make sure you have two flourescents, one on either side of the bike. If you only have one centered in the shop, your bike will live under it in shadow.
A Petzl LED headlamp is great to provide light right where you need it-- even if your shop is otherwise lit only by a single bulb.
As for tools, you don't need many for working on dirt bikes. I fit all my tools in a small rally box so it's easy to bring to the races. A small T-handle set of 8mm, 10mm, and 12mm. An allen head set. Your bike's stock toolkit. A small flathead and small philips head screwdriver. A dead-blow hammer (and/or wooden mallet) and small pieces of wood or dowels for knocking out bearings and cylinder heads.
For pricey items: A good torque wrench, that will register small torque values. A good impact driver would be nice to have, but I don't have one and still get by.
I occasionally use other tools, such as random sockets or wrenches. You probably already have a set of sockets and open-ended wrenches anyway.
Two long tire irons. An accurate 0-30psi low-pressure gauge. Baby Powder. An air compressor.
How about a sink or parts washer, something to wash air filters in?
For lighting, just make sure you have two flourescents, one on either side of the bike. If you only have one centered in the shop, your bike will live under it in shadow.
A Petzl LED headlamp is great to provide light right where you need it-- even if your shop is otherwise lit only by a single bulb.
As for tools, you don't need many for working on dirt bikes. I fit all my tools in a small rally box so it's easy to bring to the races. A small T-handle set of 8mm, 10mm, and 12mm. An allen head set. Your bike's stock toolkit. A small flathead and small philips head screwdriver. A dead-blow hammer (and/or wooden mallet) and small pieces of wood or dowels for knocking out bearings and cylinder heads.
For pricey items: A good torque wrench, that will register small torque values. A good impact driver would be nice to have, but I don't have one and still get by.
I occasionally use other tools, such as random sockets or wrenches. You probably already have a set of sockets and open-ended wrenches anyway.
Two long tire irons. An accurate 0-30psi low-pressure gauge. Baby Powder. An air compressor.
How about a sink or parts washer, something to wash air filters in?
If your budget is really tight, get your fluorescent fixtures from a building wrecker/recycler. Stick with the 48" like the man says, cheap, last forever, available everywhere. If you buy weirdo non standard lights and fixtures you will have problems when it comes time to replace. (DAMHIK)
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