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As the proud new owner of an old, used Softail, I need to get maintenance up to date. It's been a bitch so far because the previous owner lowered the bike, and my red Sears Craftsman motorcycle jack wouldn't fit underneath. So I goes and builds a simple homemade wooden jack that gets the rear wheel off the ground far enough to allow the Craftsman jack to slide completely under the frame. Only now, one lift arm of the Craftsman wants to contact the shock absorbers underneath and I can't reposition it rearwards because my homemade jack is in the way.
Question:
Are the shock assemblies strong enough to support the bike or will they be damaged if used as lift points?
I lowered my rear too and what I do is to run my tires over a pair of 2x4 piece of wood so that I can slip the motorcycle jack. I also use the orange frame protectors (part# 94675-99) so that I can have clearance from the shocks.
I lowered my rear too and what I do is to run my tires over a pair of 2x4 piece of wood so that I can slip the motorcycle jack. I also use the orange frame protectors (part# 94675-99) so that I can have clearance from the shocks.
I too run the bike backwards over a 2X4 and also run one under the kick stand. That usually gets the bike high enough without any thing under the front. I also bungee the kick stand forward so that when I let the bike down off the jack I know it is not going to fold up on me.
Instead of using frame protectors I cut the middle sections of rubber out of my jack arms and glued them to the ends to raise it just enough to clear the shocks no matter where I put the jack. I have found that my Softail Custom balances right at where the seat meets the tank.
I too run the bike backwards over a 2X4 and also run one under the kick stand. That usually gets the bike high enough without any thing under the front. I also bungee the kick stand forward so that when I let the bike down off the jack I know it is not going to fold up on me.
Instead of using frame protectors I cut the middle sections of rubber out of my jack arms and glued them to the ends to raise it just enough to clear the shocks no matter where I put the jack. I have found that my Softail Custom balances right at where the seat meets the tank.
Wow, thanks Jim Kraft for the great information! Will put it to good use...
I use 3/4" pieces of rubber strips I place on the jack under the frame to clear the shocks. I have the orange frame protectors, one separated and I almost lost the bike when lowering it.
I have the RED Sears jack, but I also have and prefer these scissor jacks (pictured with Bob...RIP). They are extremely solid and give you a lift of 15 inches. You can just use one on the front or back to lift either of the wheels or both to lift the whole bike.
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Softail Lift Points
