I had my '93 FLSTC up on my Craftsman lift jack this morning. I happened to notice that the side of the lift under the engine was resting nicely on the frame rails but the other side was in contact with the shocks and not the frame! Granted this is my first Softail but that doesn't seem right. Any input?

 

You need 94675-99 frame protectors

What I use is two strips of 1" horse stall matting (just happen to have some of that around the house)

 

Yep the shock cans on mine look about in line with the frame rails, but when the frame rests on the rubber pad of the jack it sinks in a bit and then puts pressure on the shocks. I noticed this when I went to adjust the preload on my shocks, was hard to turn the adjuster cause it was dragging on the jack pad!


I did the 2, 1/2" rubber shims under the frame rails in the rear and that works well. At least on my bike (Breakout) the jack I have (J&S) barely fits under the bike's left side while resting on the jiffy stand. Not sure I could get under it with the frame protectors on without holding the bike more upright before slipping the jack in place which is really no big deal anyhow I guess.

 

I use 3/4" heater hose split down the middle.

 

Nice idea!

 

I just move my HF jack forward just enough to clear the shocks. This has worked for me on two different Chinese jacks.

 

I was told by 2 different Harley dealers that the frame protectors were not neseccary and we're just a waste of money. They said it wasn't going to hurt the shocks or anything else without them. They said their mechanics don't even use them.

 

That. I use 1/2' rubber shims on both of my FLSTCs with the J&S jacks and it works like a charm to clear the shocks.

 

This.

 

Yep you can lift them up safely this way for sure. I found though when positioning the jack like this it prevents access to the shock's jamb nuts and preload adjustment rings. Not sure if doing it this way creates any other maintenance/service access issues though, I'm thinking for anything else it would be fine.

It don't mean its right. Think about it...do you think its a good idea to put the weight of the motorcycle on a horizontal shock body? Makes me sick what crap some "authorities" will spew. I've seen "mechanics" do some ridiculous stuff. Its usually out of; a lack of knowledge, could care less or laziness. I think the factory who designs/engineers these bikes would probably know best and if they are thinking don't put 700+Lbs on the shock assembly in the direction that its not intended and could bend the shock shafts it seems a logical and reasonable precaution to take. But do as you wish please.