I haven't had any problems jacking straight across the shocks either.

Since I also have a Dyna, I have the frame protectors/shims handy, but haven't found any value in using them on my softail.

 

Stop skimpin on what you need.

 

I do believe I'll give that a try.

Thanks to all who responded.

 

I've lifted my '03 Heritage on both a Craftsman and then a J&S jack for many years. I just lifted on the shocks. I've never had a problem.....

Then one day, I put it on my new lift table. I used a scissor jack to get the rear wheel off the ground. It too, was lifting across the shock bodies.

This time, however, the shocks/jack were right in my line of sight. I watched the shocks bend about 1/4" under the weight of the bike.

It just didn't look good, or the way it should be done........

I now have the frame protectors and use them whenever I lift the Heritage. I've yet to see any deflection of the shocks with the frame protectors. I gotta believe that it's better for the shocks this way.....

 

Ditto.... I saw that the first time I used my lift back in 07 and have posted the fix many times over the yrs in here.

get the thickest 3/4'' hose you can buy, cut 2 pieces about 5''-6'' long, cut lengthways and slide them over your frame..

I leave mine on the bike all the time..

 

How are you guys even getting the darn jack under your softail? Mine wont go under without lifting the bike first. I try rolling onto a piece of wood first,then the wood gets in the way of the jack. I must be missing something simple!

 

Obviously some bikes are lower than others.

One of the things I like about my Sears yellow jack is it gets low enough to fit under my Heritage with while it's own the jiffy stand.
With the Sears red jack I needed to put the front wheel on a 2X6 and stand the bike upright to get the jack under the bike.

 

The J&S jacks just clear the frame/shocks with just enough room for a 1/2" rubber shim when in the full down position. Both my softails have stock suspension, ie., not lowered. I can't make a statement about Craftsmans, HF, or any other jacks...

 

I have had 3 Softails that I jacked up everytime I get home.I clean them and leave them jacked till the next ride. Never,ever a problem.Dont worry about it.

 

Those shocks are $500 +. I personally would not do that since they may push seal enough to cause them to leak. I just slide in 4 scrap pieces of 3/4 plywood 2" x 4" long. Or like they say, the proper spacer is better. If you use wood and it's not plywood, make sure to mark it so the grain is correct. If you look at the end sticking out, You WANT to see vertical lines. No vertical lines parallel with frame rails. I also have a note on my jack with a line in marker pen so bike is balanced. Even then, I slide scraps under tires to make sure it does not rock. I need to slide the right side in and the roll bike up and reach down to insert left side.
For most maintenance, on a Softail, you are better off not jacked up. I just run it on two 2 x 12 x 24" long pcs. and one under stand.