Best lift/jack to fit sportster?
#21
03-10-2008, 11:14 AM
Cruiser
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: P-town, VA
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Best lift/jack to fit sportster?
I bought the cheap $59 red one from Pep Boys. Works great with no mods.
I tried using the $150 yellow one from Sears and even though its heavier duty,
I didn't like the fact I would have to use spacers to use it. It worked perfectly
on my bud's Softail though.
Btw, mine looks identical, except for the color, to the photo of chornbe's jack
I tried using the $150 yellow one from Sears and even though its heavier duty,
I didn't like the fact I would have to use spacers to use it. It worked perfectly
on my bud's Softail though.
Btw, mine looks identical, except for the color, to the photo of chornbe's jack
#22
03-10-2008, 11:33 AM
Outstanding HDF Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: PA.
Posts: 2,139
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Best lift/jack to fit sportster?
ORIGINAL: Biker Trash
I just hate payingfor high labor charges (or seeing my friends pay for them) when I know I can do the work myself with the proper tools.
The rear wheel area has a panel that drops out for servicingtires, The front is easy enough to lift using a floor jack and a block of wood when the bike is tied down to the lift table. Seen it done a million times at the local indy.
Asfar as the need for it, I have bad kneesand a bad back (I am an ex automotive tech) and cannot stand to be bent over for too long. I hate to sit on buckets orstools while working on things because of the wastedtime(and knee pain) getting up to get and put awaytools.
Ihave the room for it and love the idea of having that convienience in my owngarage. I have plenty of friends and relatives who need their bikes worked on as well. And I'm sure my 5hp 21 gallon air compressor will run it just fine.
The idea of doing bike service as a sideline for extra cash has crossed my mind a few times.I'll probably end up doing it for people from time to time. Those are the reasons I see it as a necessity and will purchase one in the near future.
ORIGINAL: bigtop1
biker trash: your wheels are still planted with that lift from harbor freight. How do you get around that. Where do you substantiate the need and use for this one unless you are in the repair business?
biker trash: your wheels are still planted with that lift from harbor freight. How do you get around that. Where do you substantiate the need and use for this one unless you are in the repair business?
The rear wheel area has a panel that drops out for servicingtires, The front is easy enough to lift using a floor jack and a block of wood when the bike is tied down to the lift table. Seen it done a million times at the local indy.
Asfar as the need for it, I have bad kneesand a bad back (I am an ex automotive tech) and cannot stand to be bent over for too long. I hate to sit on buckets orstools while working on things because of the wastedtime(and knee pain) getting up to get and put awaytools.
Ihave the room for it and love the idea of having that convienience in my owngarage. I have plenty of friends and relatives who need their bikes worked on as well. And I'm sure my 5hp 21 gallon air compressor will run it just fine.
The idea of doing bike service as a sideline for extra cash has crossed my mind a few times.I'll probably end up doing it for people from time to time. Those are the reasons I see it as a necessity and will purchase one in the near future.
Hey Biker trash,
Check into a scissor jack from a car, weld a small plate to it and whalla. A nice jack for using on a lift.
The lifts are nice for just about anything! I had mine up just doing some cleaning last night, makes it real easy to get to stuff that would normally be a pain in the *** or knee's as the case maybe.
#23
03-10-2008, 11:41 AM
Road Captain
RE: Best lift/jack to fit sportster?
I use the red one from Sears because it was on sale for $34.99 last summer. The FXD is fine w/wood adapter blocks, but the Nightster has to have a ramp - only needs another inch of clearance. Just make a cheap one out of 2x4s or whatever. Roll it up the ramp, and the jack fits fine. Just couldn't pass up the savings vs. a more expensive jack.
ADDED: Just looked at some of the more professional equipt and the JS product - SWEET! If I was working on my bikes more often I'd want one of these for sure!
ADDED: Just looked at some of the more professional equipt and the JS product - SWEET! If I was working on my bikes more often I'd want one of these for sure!
#24
03-10-2008, 12:03 PM
Road Master
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Gahanna, OH
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#25
03-12-2008, 09:03 PM
RE: Best lift/jack to fit sportster?
As stated before, the Sears m/c jacks do not line up with the frame without some mods.
When I clean the wheels or service the bike, I use a standard auto floor jack while the bike is strapped toboth sides of the garage. So far, so good! I'll admit, I am a little nervous and cautious while doing so.
When I clean the wheels or service the bike, I use a standard auto floor jack while the bike is strapped toboth sides of the garage. So far, so good! I'll admit, I am a little nervous and cautious while doing so.
#26
03-12-2008, 11:33 PM
This is the kind of lift I have.. Love it. My dad actually bought it.. Just so he doesnt have to bend down to clean his bike haha I on the other hand use it to work on them.
#27
03-13-2008, 12:19 AM
Ultimate HDF Member
RE: Best lift/jack to fit sportster?
J & S
We have 2 of them. Been wrenching for over 40 yrs total. By far the best bang for the buck I have spent. And have tried many over the years. I spend alot of $$ and time building my bikes. I am not going tohave one fall off a jack cause I wanted to savea few bucks. And I wouldn't want yours to fall off if you were here changing a tire, or working onyours in the grudge.
They are built by a couple of bike riding brothers, for bike riders.
We have 2 of them. Been wrenching for over 40 yrs total. By far the best bang for the buck I have spent. And have tried many over the years. I spend alot of $$ and time building my bikes. I am not going tohave one fall off a jack cause I wanted to savea few bucks. And I wouldn't want yours to fall off if you were here changing a tire, or working onyours in the grudge.
They are built by a couple of bike riding brothers, for bike riders.
#28
08-01-2012, 02:05 PM
Tourer
#30
08-01-2012, 03:28 PM
Road Master
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: WyoBraska (Western Nebraska)
Posts: 799
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Depends on how much room you have and what you want to do with it. I used a CHEAP ATV jack for years (POS) and just got my J&S yesterday ! Damn, the bike is stable on that thing. Used to have to put jack stands under the frame (4 of 'em) just to get it steady: not anymore !! Wished I had bought it a long time ago...
If I had the room and the bucks it would be a lift, but this is WAY better than what I have used for the past 20 years !!
If I had the room and the bucks it would be a lift, but this is WAY better than what I have used for the past 20 years !!
