View Full Version : Motorcycle Lifts (jacks)
Looking for suggestions and recommendations on which type (brand) motorcycle jack to purchase.
I am considering purchasing one for general maintanence and detailing. I have seen them ranging in price from $50.00 to several hundred dollars.
I would prefer one that is well built and sturdy, don't want to have a problem with a bike falling off etc. Also have heard that they take special adapters for
Dynas and Sportsters, is this correct? Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks in advance,
Bill
If this subject has already been discussed forgive me I must have missed it somehow!
I think you'll find that the Sears Craftsman lift is the most reccommended here and at other motorcycle forums. The price is right. $119 and is often on sale for $89. It is well built with a hydralic lift. Foot pump and foot release. I think its rated at 1500 pounds. Comes with straps.
Some models, maybe its the Dyna, do require a spacer adaptor in order to miss something that hangs below the frame. An inepensive accessory.
I think it lifts the bike about 16 inches. Great for cleaning and working. Get one of those little roller stools, NAPA $24, and you got it made.
Next to my Mustang Seat, the Sears bike llift is the next best thing I purchased for my bike. I lowered the rear of my bike and had a little trouble getting it under the bike but this is easily fixed by rolling the bike on to a couple 1/2" - 3/4" thick boards and then sliding the lift under the bike. The lift is a must if you intend to do your own fluid changes. The lift will probably pay for itself after a half dozen or so fluid changes when you consider what the stealer charges.
What does your dealer, stealer, or mechanic charge?
The dealer where I got my bike charges $58 per hour labor.
How does this compare?
I'll second, third, fourth, and fifth on that recommendation. That Sears lift is definitely one of my best buys. After I get my bike INTO the garage, I need a way to turn it around and get it OUT of the garage. Of course, goes without saying, great for cleaning and service.
My dealer charges about $66/hour--D.C. metro area.
Ours just went up. I believe it's $72. I won't use them or pay this. It's getting way out of control. It's bad enough that they overcharge on the parts but now the labor is going in the same direction. :spank:
Next to my Mustang Seat, the Sears bike llift is the next best thing I purchased for my bike. I lowered the rear of my bike and had a little trouble getting it under the bike but this is easily fixed by rolling the bike on to a couple 1/2" - 3/4" thick boards and then sliding the lift under the bike. The lift is a must if you intend to do your own fluid changes. The lift will probably pay for itself after a half dozen or so fluid changes when you consider what the stealer charges.
Ditto... The craftsmen club sales day flyer had them at 89 this past week.
There is a kit that H-D makes for the dynas. It is 4 rubber spacers which allow the jack to slide under the bike. On our FXDL we need to run the bike up on a couple of 2X8 and then slide the jack underneath. Fits under the road king and the deuce no problem. I have lowered the deuce only about an inch.
I bought a Sears. I wasn't pleased with the quality but I removed the cheap bolts and welded nuts for the jack itself and put my own hardware on and re welded the round bar that locks it. Other than than that it was ok. I want to weld some additional strap hooks so I can strap the bike down independently of the lower section so the straps don't have to be loosened or tightened all the time.
OldCutlass
03-16-2004, 02:03
Hey Maalox (or whomever would like to help me out),
What kinda kit do you need to use this lift with a Dyna?
Thanks,
O.C.
I also bought the Sears Lift for my 02 WideGlide. I did not like the fact that the forward brace between the 2 front wheels of the lift scraped against the kickstand spring and the kichstand when it was placed under the bike. I cut this brace out and replaced it with a piece of angle and moved about 4" to the rear of the lift. This made it alot easier to roll under the bike and miss the spring. I also had to purchase a Dyna Motorcycle Service Lift Adapter Kit from Harley. The part number is 98965-99.
1st post for me
Glad to be here
Motov8, so the HD adapter kit for the Dyna's bolts right onto the Sears jack without any modifications??
I also bought the Sears Lift for my 02 WideGlide. I did not like the fact that the forward brace between the 2 front wheels of the lift scraped against the kickstand spring and the kichstand when it was placed under the bike. I cut this brace out and replaced it with a piece of angle and moved about 4" to the rear of the lift. This made it alot easier to roll under the bike and miss the spring. I also had to purchase a Dyna Motorcycle Service Lift Adapter Kit from Harley. The part number is 98965-99.
1st post for me
Glad to be here
Good Post Moto! And welcome to CC!
I have a sears lift, and need to get the Dyna adaptor setup as well. I havn't used it yet. How difficult/easy is it to setup and operate it? I mean I was thinking of using it for detailing; Get it up in the air a bit so I could get at the rear spokes by turning the wheel easily. Is this an approporiate use of the jack, or is it too much work?
Motov8, so the HD adapter kit for the Dyna's bolts right onto the Sears jack without any modifications??
no,
These are just spacers that snap on to your frame in three places. The fourth just sits on the jack. I snap the left side on to the frame first, slide the jack under the bike while sitting on it, then put the right side on. Look at the harley website, you will see what I mean. It was pretty scary lifting the bike with out these. One thing to also remember, when you pull the lift out, remember to pull the spacers off of the bike, I have been known to take these for short rides.
Good Post Moto! And welcome to CC!
I have a sears lift, and need to get the Dyna adaptor setup as well. I havn't used it yet. How difficult/easy is it to setup and operate it? I mean I was thinking of using it for detailing; Get it up in the air a bit so I could get at the rear spokes by turning the wheel easily. Is this an approporiate use of the jack, or is it too much work?
It is very easy, I use it every time I wash and wax. I will also post pictures of the mod I made to the brace in the front.
Welcome to CC Motov8,
We always appreciate inside tips, tricks that everyone does. Some are old, some new but for my sake everthing always needs repeating. :)
As promised, I took some pix this morning when I put the bike in the air to tighten the rear spokes:
Deuce Jack
03-20-2004, 03:48
I believe..I am trying to remember back when I jacked up my DWG...the kick stand seemed to give a bit of problem...also Couldn't get a wrench on the oil plug...I had to sort of slide the jack in on an angle and it worked just fine.Hey Maalox (or whomever would like to help me out),
What kinda kit do you need to use this lift with a Dyna?
Thanks,
O.C.
Please pardon the newbee wrench question...
I have never used my sears jack (thought about it) but got nervous about jacking it up and having it fall off the jack? And , of course I would absolutely dive under it to break its fall... :scared:
So, if I get these spacers, or HD Dyna jack accessories, then what... do they attach to the frame of the bike? and where do I place them...? Do they come with instructions?
I don't have any jack usage instructions either, anything special I should know about using the jack, lifting the bike...? What balances the bike while it's up in the air? Are there any straps like tie downs that I should use?
If anyone has good instructions that you could email me or US mail me I would really appreciate it...
Sorry for all the questions, but once I understand how to use it, and then do it... I'll probably use it all the time...
fbomer,
If you have the Sears lift it should have straps in the box. Mine came with straps. I understand that it can be a little nerve racking the first couple of times. Have someone with you to hold the bike while you position it and start to lift. After a few times you'll fell more comfortable and able to do it on your own.
Take it slow pumping it up. It'll go just fine. After you have it to the desired heigth, strap it down. Without straps it does tend to rock a little. Remove the seat and put one strap over the frame. The other strap you have to watch where you place. Do not put over tank. I wouldn't even put over the neck because when you tighten it down it puts to much pressure on tank and I'm afraid of scratches.
I put my second strap thru the frame in front of the engine. You just have to make sure its not putting any pressure on anything. On my FXST I had to make sure it wasn't pushing on the brake fluid reservoir. Find the best place for your bike and tighten them down. The bike is very stable.
Instead of using one strap on the front use two and put them to the handle bars. Tighten each side equally until tight.
Good luck.
fbomer,
I agree with Wind's procedure with strap location. I slide the jack under the right side of my Deuce (opposite jiffy stand). The right platform of the jack slides under in line with the cam position sensor cover. Since the rear of my bike is lowered 1", I've removed the rubber pad from the left platform. While I grasp the handlebar I slowly pump the pedal to raise bike. Bike is balanced and stable at any height. I've even been able to run the engine in gear. Also make certain you lock down the rear casters.
Boom
fbomer,
I agree with Wind's procedure with strap location. I slide the jack under the right side of my Deuce (opposite jiffy stand). The right platform of the jack slides under in line with the cam position sensor cover. Since the rear of my bike is lowered 1", I've removed the rubber pad from the left platform. While I grasp the handlebar I slowly pump the pedal to raise bike. Bike is balanced and stable at any height. I've even been able to run the engine in gear. Also make certain you lock down the rear casters.
Boom
Like I said in another post. You don't have to remove thoses rubber pads if you run the bike tire up on 1/2" - 1" thick boards. It gives plenty of clearance on a bike that's lowered. Mine is lowered 2" in the rear and the 1/2" thick board gives me enough room to push the Sears lift under the bike
from the right side.
Thanks for the tips Guys!
I got the jack used, and don't see straps with it... But I have other tie down straps... do you think those will work?
If not, I can try to order replacement straps and an owners manual from sears.
OK, Last question... promise
Also, Boom... when you said the bike is ballanced at any height; once it comes off the jiffy stand and is ready to be lifted... what keeps it upright and ballanced... is the jack somehow locked on to the frame at this point...
fbomer, the straps that come with the bike are ractheting so you can make then real tight on each side. You may be able to find them at an automotive supply store or Menard's. If not have Sears order them.
Make sure the kickstand is down when you lower the bike or it may end up on it's side. No, I'm not speaking from experience. :nut:
jvelez48
03-11-2008, 06:37
Ditto... The craftsmen club sales day flyer had them at 89 this past week.
There is a kit that H-D makes for the dynas. It is 4 rubber spacers which allow the jack to slide under the bike. On our FXDL we need to run the bike up on a couple of 2X8 and then slide the jack underneath. Fits under the road king and the deuce no problem. I have lowered the deuce only about an inch.
I just bought the spacers from my Harley dealer for $25 bucks, but I still can't get the jack underneath. My Dyna is lowered 1 inch. those 2x8 are they stacked on top of each other?. Any pics.. Thanks
DeuceDog
03-11-2008, 06:48
I have the Sears jack as well. I need to put a 1" thick plank under my Deuce to get the jack under it. Other than taking the chin fairing piece off the frame rails, I have no problems raising the bike. The first couple of times I was a liitle nervous about it. Especially the way the bike rocked around a bit.
Then I used my tie downs and it was fine. Make sure you use the safety locks on the jack. Don't ever trust a hydraulic cylinder to hold up any vehicle.
Yeah, I know from experience.
rdgzoe00
03-11-2008, 08:19
Even the dealer says Sears
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