Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

frame protectors

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 14, 2016 | 03:03 PM
  #1  
dyna2008's Avatar
dyna2008
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 199
Likes: 39
From: Pennsylvania
Default frame protectors

Do ya really need those frame protector when jacking up your softail?
I know... I know ... they recomend it and i will if you all think its a good idea to but the darn jack just fits under the frame as it is.
 
Reply
Old May 14, 2016 | 04:08 PM
  #2  
UT-rckr's Avatar
UT-rckr
Road Master
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 789
Likes: 4
From: Utah
Default

Frame protectors? What are those? I have lifted my bike numerous times and didn't know HD sold something so silly
 
Reply
Old May 14, 2016 | 04:29 PM
  #3  
dyna2008's Avatar
dyna2008
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 199
Likes: 39
From: Pennsylvania
Default

Originally Posted by UT-rckr
Frame protectors? What are those? I have lifted my bike numerous times and didn't know HD sold something so silly
They are actually spacers that fit between the jack and the frame to prevent lift pressure on the rear shocks that hang just a bit lower than the frame. I guess you havent had a problem without them. Sofar sogood?!?
 
Reply
Old May 14, 2016 | 05:09 PM
  #4  
Bluraven's Avatar
Bluraven
Grand HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,973
Likes: 912
From: Omaha
Default

I use four 4" long pieces of 3/4" heater hose split to fit over the rail.
That being said the $25 spacers have been on my Christmas list for years but nobody's bought it for me yet.
 
Reply
Old May 14, 2016 | 05:43 PM
  #5  
Rick58's Avatar
Rick58
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,588
Likes: 329
From: Florida
Default

The mechanics at the Harley dealers don't use them.
 
Reply
Old May 15, 2016 | 06:57 AM
  #6  
cocky's Avatar
cocky
Stellar HDF Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Liked
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,062
Likes: 153
From: Midlands of SC
Default

Heater hose for me as well. Just dont forget and leave them on when done. Been there and done that, oops.
 
Reply
Old May 16, 2016 | 11:40 PM
  #7  
Gommee's Avatar
Gommee
Devil's Advocate
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,070
Likes: 36
From: Alberta, Canada
Default

The HD spacers are dangerous. I have seen them separate. Had a set for my Street Bob.

I use a couple of 3/4" thick pieces of rubber mat about 4"x3" works great.
 
Reply
Old May 17, 2016 | 09:38 AM
  #8  
hattitude's Avatar
hattitude
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 10
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,209
Likes: 11,334
From: San Diego, CA
Default

I can't count the times I've jacked up my '03 Heritage from service to detailing. I never gave it second thought. Then I read a debate on an HD forum (maybe this one, I forget) about whether or not these spacers are necessary.....

I decided to watch as I jacked up my Heritage and there was a small amount of flex on the shocks as the bike went up.......

Whether it will do damage I guess is another debate, but watching them flex I keep thinking.... that can't be good for the seals or pistons....

I never thought/heard about using heater hose or I would have given it a try.

I ended up buying the HD spacers and the orange color helps me to remember to remove them.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 17, 2016 | 01:51 PM
  #9  
WFA's Avatar
WFA
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 301
Likes: 7
From: NORTH CAROLINA
Default Frame protectors

Originally Posted by hattitude
I can't count the times I've jacked up my '03 Heritage from service to detailing. I never gave it second thought. Then I read a debate on an HD forum (maybe this one, I forget) about whether or not these spacers are necessary.....

I decided to watch as I jacked up my Heritage and there was a small amount of flex on the shocks as the bike went up.......

Whether it will do damage I guess is another debate, but watching them flex I keep thinking.... that can't be good for the seals or pistons....

I never thought/heard about using heater hose or I would have given it a try.

I ended up buying the HD spacers and the orange color helps me to remember to remove them.
GOOD MOVE ON YOUR PART. I BOUGHT A SET AT HD FOR $15.xx ABOUT 7 YEARS AGO RIGHT AFTER I PURCHASED MY FXST. A GOOD INVESTMENT. DO I ALWAYS USE...NO. BUT I DO USE WHEN I PLAN ON A LOT OF BIKE MOVEMENT. NEVER HAD AN ISSUE WITH THEM OR WITHOUT THEM. THEY HAVE NEVER SLIPED, COME APART OR MOVED IN ANYWAY. IN ADDITION TO PROTECTING THE S/T SHOCKS THEY SUPPLY MORE STABILITY BEING FLAT. NOW I HAVE FLAT SURFACE AGAINST FLAT SURFACE. I MODIFIED MINE TO BE MORE USER FRIENDLY BY MAKING FOUR OUT OF TWO...NOTCHED TO FIT FRAME IN CERTAIN PLACES. BY THE WAY, I LEFT MINE ON A COUPLE OF TIMES AND RODE OFF. THEY WERE STILL THERE WHEN I RETURNED HOME. FRAME FIT IS EXCELLENT. SO...FWIW



WOODY
 
Reply
Old May 17, 2016 | 01:58 PM
  #10  
CaptKirk's Avatar
CaptKirk
Cruiser
10 Year Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 229
Likes: 23
From: Bay Village
Default

Hmmmm, I just make sure the jack is on the frame and not the shocks. Doesnt seems hard to do.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:13 PM.

story-0
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

Slideshow: Jason Momoa's latest restoration project blends 1920s Harley-Davidsons with modern electric technology, creating some of the most unusual hybrid motorcycles ever built.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:18:58


VIEW MORE
story-1
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-2
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-4
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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-5
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-7
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-8
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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE