Is the HD service lift worth the price?
#21
01-05-2015, 07:41 AM
The jack threads on here make me laugh. Someone always upsets someone....lol. I used an old "free to me " torin for two years with no problems. The adapter thing really sucked to use but other than that it did the job. I think they all do the job regeadless of price. I did ended up buying a j&s and I must say I use it more than I thought. I use it even to clean the bike because it is so simple to use. Contrary to a couple posts the the jack isn't in the way for fluid changes. It has a piece of sheet metal they formed into a drain pan and all three holes hit it. Works awesome and the cleanup is a breeze. Cover the drain pan with foil.
#22
01-05-2015, 08:02 AM
It's all about what you want. I don't know anything about the J&S lifts, I know my Pitbull rides on casters with roller & needle bearings; there are bushings that reinforce all the pivot points through the frame; & there are numerous grease fittings to keep things lubed properly. Mine is a manual & the hydraulic jack is rated @ 6 tons, I believe the lift is rated at around 1500 LBS. It is heavy, I store it vertically against a wall & will admit to grunting a little to get it into position. But with my bike about 2 feet in the air, it is solid & secure. It's also manufactured in Tennessee with a lifetime warranty so if anything should go wrong it won't be difficult to remedy the situation. I won't call the less expensive, imported jacks "junk", but there is no way they are built as strong as a Pitbull. If strength is important, that will matter.
#23
01-05-2015, 09:14 AM
You truly do not need a lift for oil, trans, and primary fluid changes. Nice to have a jack but it's just in the way for that mentioned maintenance. A scrap piece of 2x4 under the stand and a old blanket or spread to lay on. The side cut out of a 5 quart oil container. Now if you're doing it for a living, that's probably different.
BTW, the brand of jack I now have is "Hydrolift" and sold by my indy. It is rock solid and sturdy. I believe it is every bit as good as a J & S, but a whole lot cheaper.
Last edited by ChickinOnaChain; 01-05-2015 at 12:23 PM.
#24
01-05-2015, 01:01 PM
#25
01-05-2015, 11:15 PM
SW asked above:
[[ For you guys that do your trans and primary on the jiffy stand, how are you getting it upright to check levels. ]]
For the transmission, I don't even worry about "the levels" any more. For my '07, the manual says "32 ounces". That's the amount that usually comes in the bottle -- I just pour it in and close it up.
For the primary, I put the jiffy stand on a brick. This doesn't quite stand it completely vertical -- it's a couple of degrees "to the left", but close enough. Again, the manual calls for 38 ounces on a "wet change", so I just measure it out and pour it in. Just be a little careful because the bike is almost vertical.
You could also get a free-standing front wheel chock...
[[ For you guys that do your trans and primary on the jiffy stand, how are you getting it upright to check levels. ]]
For the transmission, I don't even worry about "the levels" any more. For my '07, the manual says "32 ounces". That's the amount that usually comes in the bottle -- I just pour it in and close it up.
For the primary, I put the jiffy stand on a brick. This doesn't quite stand it completely vertical -- it's a couple of degrees "to the left", but close enough. Again, the manual calls for 38 ounces on a "wet change", so I just measure it out and pour it in. Just be a little careful because the bike is almost vertical.
You could also get a free-standing front wheel chock...
#26
01-05-2015, 11:29 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
I'm looking into getting a lift so I can do my own service. Mainly for oil, trans, and primary fluid changes since I'm still learning about everything else.
I'm interested in the HD Motorcycle Service Lift (part# 92900004). I get a 10% discount so it would cost me $270. Is it a good lift for that price?
I'm interested in the HD Motorcycle Service Lift (part# 92900004). I get a 10% discount so it would cost me $270. Is it a good lift for that price?
#27
01-06-2015, 12:45 AM
"With the vehicle resting on the jiffy stand..."
#28
01-06-2015, 05:44 AM
Ultimate HDF Member
My old manual doesn't say that, it says with the bike level.
They must have changed it at some point since my bike was new.
My bike is never on the jiffy stand at home, when it's in my garage it's on the table lift, so consequently it's always level when the fluids get checked/changed.
I don't think it actually makes much difference if the bike is leaning a little bit or perfectly upright.
They must have changed it at some point since my bike was new.
My bike is never on the jiffy stand at home, when it's in my garage it's on the table lift, so consequently it's always level when the fluids get checked/changed.
I don't think it actually makes much difference if the bike is leaning a little bit or perfectly upright.
#29
01-06-2015, 10:20 AM
Tourer
Bull! I've had a Sears red jack for about 8 or 9 years now and have done all kinds of stuff to the bike while on that jack. Including sitting on the bike while it is on the jack like a certain video posted by a expensive jack company!! Is it the best? No, but it is far from junk and has served me well till this day! Now and again all of us using "non-approved" jacks will chime in with stories similar to mine. While I will not question the quality of the J & S or PitBull jacks, statements like yours tell me your still trying to justify all the money you spent on yours. I'm glad you have a high quality jack, but it ain't necessary by any means. And no, I'm not jealous.....ever heard of a Handy B.O.B. 1500 lb lift????? 
Hmmmmmm, went back and looked at camaroPete's profile. 2 whole posts......makes you wonder if he isn't a J & S sales troll???? Sorry to offend, but everybody is entitled to their opinion, but when their opinion is so contrary to facts, they deserve to be called out! Hundreds of us use the "lesser" jacks successfully. Many can't afford the high dollar stuff. To lie and say it is all "junk" ain't righteous!!
Now to answer the OP's question; as others have said, NO! It has HD's name on it, you know it is over priced!!
Hmmmmmm, went back and looked at camaroPete's profile. 2 whole posts......makes you wonder if he isn't a J & S sales troll???? Sorry to offend, but everybody is entitled to their opinion, but when their opinion is so contrary to facts, they deserve to be called out! Hundreds of us use the "lesser" jacks successfully. Many can't afford the high dollar stuff. To lie and say it is all "junk" ain't righteous!!
Now to answer the OP's question; as others have said, NO! It has HD's name on it, you know it is over priced!!
Last edited by CamaroPete; 01-06-2015 at 10:47 AM.
#30
01-06-2015, 11:04 AM
My old manual doesn't say that, it says with the bike level.
They must have changed it at some point since my bike was new.
My bike is never on the jiffy stand at home, when it's in my garage it's on the table lift, so consequently it's always level when the fluids get checked/changed.
I don't think it actually makes much difference if the bike is leaning a little bit or perfectly upright.
They must have changed it at some point since my bike was new.
My bike is never on the jiffy stand at home, when it's in my garage it's on the table lift, so consequently it's always level when the fluids get checked/changed.
I don't think it actually makes much difference if the bike is leaning a little bit or perfectly upright.
I can't believe why they would ever say to check your oil with the bike level. How would an average owner even do that? Try to hold an 800 pound bike with one hand and check the oil with the other? Get somebody to hold it up every time you check the oil? If you want to check your oil you have to buy a jack or a lift?
Now, you just park the bike and check the oil. Eazy-peazy.