jack(s) for changing engine mounts / isolators?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,840
Likes: 900
From: Philly Suburbs
Was the bike on the side stand? I felt like it was important to have the bike upright, as I didn't want the weight of the engine to be off-center when I torqued to front mount...
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 865
Likes: 67
From: Los Angeles,ca
Just lift it, upright, no adapters. so it's pretty straight.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 666
Likes: 95
From: Berlin
+1 on all tips and styles of lifts, but more important keep the bike as straight as possible it makes it easier to line up holes later, ONLY DO 1 AT A TIME, then when both are done just loosen a little the 2 hex bolts on front and rear isolators and run engine while engine is upright and straight for 5 seconds, this will align them up properly and avoid vibrations and wobbles later, then torque em all up to spec, and go ride, come home and check torque again.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 666
Likes: 95
From: Berlin
Yep you really do not need much to support the engine as long as you have the ride supported, I just stick mine in the front wheel chock to hold it straight and then car jack with the block of wood.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 10,907
Likes: 8,756
From: Galt's Gulch - MI
This is exactly how I installed my Predator mount; the bike was on the J&S in the highest locking position, I slid a scissor jack up against the J&S with a block of 6x6 wood under the scissor lift to get me extra height; that J&S sits the bike up high
I used a scrap piece of 2x4 on the contact pad of the scissor jack and unloaded the front mount.As F86 stated, it's only going to take turning the scissor jack by hand to support the engine with the bike held stable and level on a lift...
Thread Starter
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,448
Likes: 2,299
From: NW Ohio
I snagged a scissor jack from HF for $20. didn't think about it until after but I shoild have gone to the salvage yard. They have a huge bin of them for $5 ea. Oh well.
Thanks for the tips.
Thanks for the tips.
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 666
Likes: 95
From: Berlin
Got to agree with you on that, I hate buying something new, that is only worth a 1/4 of the price as soon as you walk out of the shop, Fleabay is cool for decent stuff at least 1/2 price and sometimes less, just snagged myself a near new set of Harley Saddlebags, HD price 900 euro, Fleabay 200 euro, guy had em on ride for 1 season in Germany, so I guess he means Summer LOL.
I used one of those to hold the bike upright (ie straight but with its weight still mostly on its wheels, then used a small car-type scissor jack just to support the engine, similar to MattVA's suggestion. I didn't use the bigger J&S-style lift 'cos which I figured would be a bit cramped (theoretically, that is, I didn't try it). But if it worked for MattVA, and you already have the J&S and a car jack, I'm not saying my way is any better. The car jack allows you to make fine adjustments to the engine height, relative to the frame.
Last edited by Davdoodles; Apr 15, 2017 at 02:53 AM.