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Got a Sears m/cycle jack about 3 years ago, well made but I remembered comments about goes up won’t come down. Before using it with bike tried it out. Sure enough it jacked up just fine but the release would not work, period.
Back that went and replaced with the Harbor Freight unit. Works fine, solid unit. Release works but too quick a drop, added an adjustable stop under the release pedal now bike comes down nice and slow. Release limiter is a 1” dowel with a small lag bolt in the top, dowel glued to the jack frame, screw the bolt up/down for a preferred drop speed.
I have had my Duralast Jack for 18 years and it is still going. I have never done any refilling / bleeding / anything to it. I am pretty sure it was made in China, but not 100% sure.
Only posted J&S because Pitbull is no longer in business and J&S is made in USA. I try to buy from small US companies when I can instead of supporting chinese sweat shops.
Somebody recently posted in one of these discussions here that the actual bottle jack on the J&S is chicom made. I cannot confirm or deny, but it gave me pause when considering buying one for the relatively “spendy" price they advertise for their wares.
Edit: I see someone already addressed this up thread.
And see that 1985 FXR below. It’s my understanding when I bought it new 36 years ago that the front end was made by Mitsubishi.
FWIW, I worked for an American manufacturing company the first ten years of my career a lifetime ago. They are now foreign owned. It’s kind of hard to escape.
Ever hear of supporting US businesses when you have the opportunity. You'd think people buy an American icon motorcycle that it would mean something to them.
If the Showa Machine wheels, forks, brake components were removed from my 'American icon motorcycle' I couldn't even push it into my garage. Ask H-D why they don't support US businesses-manufacturers on component parts of 'The American Icon' . . . . .
Only posted J&S because Pitbull is no longer in business and J&S is made in USA. I try to buy from small US companies when I can instead of supporting chinese sweat shops.
Pitbull is not out of business. I just talked to them the other day about my lift.
If the Showa Machine wheels, forks, brake components were removed from my 'American icon motorcycle' I couldn't even push it into my garage. Ask H-D why they don't support US businesses-manufacturers on component parts of 'The American Icon' . . . . .
I take it its made over seas. Hahahaha.
I love when people say buy American. I do try as much as possible. I also try and shop locally when possible. However Im not gonna way overpay because you local. The Last 5 vehicles Ive owned. 2 Chevy 1 Ford 1 dodge 1 Honda. My Chevy avalanche made in Canada. Ford Fusion Mexico Chevy Aveo Mexico I believe. Dodge caravan was also Canada I believe. Honda OHIO or Indiana. Good thing all those American made cars were made in America right? Profits go to Detroit the working man money goes to other countries. People get to caught up in the name. Ive never worked for an American car company and Im smack dead in the middle of it all. I have however worked for Two Japanese ran Toyota/Honda driven majority owned companies.
Didn't the American taxpayer bail out GM only to have GM move some of their production to South America ?
Let's face it . . . . . 'The American Icon' is actually a mediocre product with superb marketing. It has all the charm of sitting on an irrigation pump.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
