Jacking Up a Slim??
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 413
Likes: 12
From: St Louis
Jacking Up a Slim??
So I've got the Craftsman floor motorcycle jack for the Slim and trying to find the best place to jack from on the bike. Seems the best place is to put one of the pads right under the shocks. However, the shocks hang down just a bit lower than the frame. If I put one of the Jack pads either in front of it behind the shocks, the bike is either nose or tail heavy on the jack instead of balanced. Do you guys put the jack pad under the shocks or just try to avoid this?
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,588
Likes: 329
From: Florida
HD sells "Frame Protectors" http://www.adventureharley.com/frame-protectors if you are worried about the shocks. I inquired about them at two dearerships and was told that they were not necessary. They assured me jacking wouldn't hurt the shocks and that their mechanics don't use them.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 402
Likes: 18
From: Lake Bluff, Illinois
Put the jack right in front of the rear shocks. The bike in its stock form will balance just like that. With that being said, you should place support straps from the jack to the bike anyways...for added security.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 695
Likes: 50
From: South Carolina
I am thinking that there aren't too many HD mechanics using floor jacks in the shop. Don't need a floor jack when you have a lift table.
"In fact they're kinda hard to avoid, not sure how else you could do it."
That may be the reason for the frame protectors. Would like to have more info on this as I have read/heard jacking on the shocks will damage them. I just picked up the Craftsman jack myself getting ready for some winter work. I guess for peace of mind the frame protectors aren't really that expensive.
"In fact they're kinda hard to avoid, not sure how else you could do it."
That may be the reason for the frame protectors. Would like to have more info on this as I have read/heard jacking on the shocks will damage them. I just picked up the Craftsman jack myself getting ready for some winter work. I guess for peace of mind the frame protectors aren't really that expensive.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,217
Likes: 90
From: Detroit
There probably won't be enough clearance to get the Craftsman jack under your bike with the frame protectors on. Might work if you drive the front and back wheels up onto some thick pieces of wood first.
You could also use a couple of thin plywood shims. I've always just put my jack under the shocks though, and there doesn't seem to be any ill effects. There seems to be enough give in the rubber bushings to let them deflect out of the way.
You could also use a couple of thin plywood shims. I've always just put my jack under the shocks though, and there doesn't seem to be any ill effects. There seems to be enough give in the rubber bushings to let them deflect out of the way.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: senatobia ms
I have always put my jack just in front of the shocks on both my deluxe and my heritage and never had a problem.
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 168
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From: Ponchatoula, LA
"I am thinking that there aren't too many HD mechanics using floor jacks in the shop. Don't need a floor jack when you have a lift table."
What if you're taking the wheels off?
What if you're taking the wheels off?
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,217
Likes: 90
From: Detroit
The balance point on a Softail will vary with how much your front and rear wheel assemblies weigh.