Pittsburgh Motorcycle jack??
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 284
Likes: 15
From: Palm Harbor, Florida
Pittsburgh Motorcycle jack??
I know it's not the best jack out there, but for $69.99 (on sale) reg $149.99 Harbor Freight- and with a lift capability up to 1500lbs can it really be that bad? Basically going to use it for light maintenance only, cleaning etc. Bike won't be sitting on it much. Anyone have one?? 1/2 off the reg price, seems pretty good.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,127
Likes: 1,760
From: In The Woods, PA
I am very happy with mine, was my dad's before I started doing all his maintenance too. I recommend it, but I'm no the guy that cares about brand names. I have 2 dressers and they hoist them up with no problems.
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 284
Likes: 15
From: Palm Harbor, Florida
As luck would have it. I bought one and it's going back tomorrow. Can't get the damn thing under my bike. It keeps hitting the frame. Even had the bike upright (almost) & the damn jack still hit it. Says 5.5" minimum height. Guess I need something smaller now. They have a 4 3/4" minimum jack. Not sure if I want to try that or just say **** it altogether and get a refund.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,874
Likes: 36
From: Houston, TX
Rebuilt my old evo on one... and do all of my work on one. I abuse the hell out of it and it keeps on going. It's probably the only thing I've ever bought from harbor freight that I actually liked. Sorry yours is too tall. My old evo has some decent ground clearance... got 13.5" fxdx shocks on it.
Last edited by tmanbuckhunter; Jan 28, 2015 at 10:33 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 691
Likes: 35
From: Colorado
I like mine but it does lack in the clearance department. I found one at Sears, a LONG time ago; it's a craftsman, it has the lowest profile I've yet seen; we use that on our lower clearance bikes, my friends and me. The only other problem I've ever had w Harbor Freights' is that you have to pay attention where you are width-wise. I wish they were just a few inches longer to overlap the frame more easily. I keep meaning to weld new arms on but have never gotten around to it.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 284
Likes: 15
From: Palm Harbor, Florida
I like mine but it does lack in the clearance department. I found one at Sears, a LONG time ago; it's a craftsman, it has the lowest profile I've yet seen; we use that on our lower clearance bikes, my friends and me. The only other problem I've ever had w Harbor Freights' is that you have to pay attention where you are width-wise. I wish they were just a few inches longer to overlap the frame more easily. I keep meaning to weld new arms on but have never gotten around to it.
I'll see if they sell jack with the 4.75" minimum height. Only other option is to put the wheels onto 2x10 wooden blocks to raise the bike frame height. The thought of that is not re-assuring however..
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,863
Likes: 172
From: Clarksville, TN
I use my HF jack on both my bikes. On the Street Glide I just have to look under the bike more to make sure everything is lined up. Then again I moved the rail to the out side on mine so I can use it on the Dyna....not sure if that makes a difference.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,257
Likes: 1
From: Papillion Ne 68133
Roll the bike up a board I use a couple of 1/2" pieces of plywood in a gradual step form so its easy to get the bike positioned and Harley frame protectors works great.
Last edited by thomasf59; Jan 29, 2015 at 01:33 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27,097
Likes: 4,676
From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
I use an HF hi lift jack most of the time, only needs 2 1/4" clearance (size of the lifting arms, go flat against the floor). Wide arms, very sturdy, and a nice hand release you can creep down, great for lining up axles. Cost double or more than the cheap HF jack, of course, but still cheap as jacks go. Only negative I have about it, won't move with a bike on it - take the wheels off, gonna be there till they're back on. If I want to be able to move it, then I use one with wheels - it's an older HF cheapie, like it better than the current black ones, but it's still got that backwards foot release, push a little, and it goes fast, push all the way and it goes slower; just goes against instinct.
Why it's called a hi-lift... nice to sit on a stool and have the clutch at a comfortable working height.
A bit wide for earlier sporties, bolted an extra piece of angle on one leg to catch shorter frames better.
Why it's called a hi-lift... nice to sit on a stool and have the clutch at a comfortable working height.
A bit wide for earlier sporties, bolted an extra piece of angle on one leg to catch shorter frames better.
