so I'm gonna start my shock swap, and I was looking up underneath it. Where should I put the jack? I've just got a regular jack with the circlular top, so I was thinking I would use a 2x4 too. To go across the frame underneath, and in front of the shocks.

 

DO NOT use a regular car jack on a bike. Its an invitaion to disaster. Do yourself a BIG favor and get a real bike jack from Sears Harbor Freight, anyware you can. Just please don't use a car jack.
Hell you can use a couple of pieces of lumber and a length of pipe if your desperate. It will still be more stable than a car jack.

 

which are you changing the front or rear? the rear ones I jackup up with a bottle jack behind the shocks right in front of the tire, then I put some 4x4's under her too to hold it in place. the night train is so long it's tough to balance the thing on a bike jack and change out the rears.

 

I agree do not use a car jack... [sm=chairshot.gif]

You would just be asking for something to go wrong... plus even with a bike jack you're gonna
have to move it around to reach everything... move it forward move it back tighten this tighten
that... do yourself a favor and don't start a project until you have the proper tools.

Don't ask me how I know, I just know... lol

 

+1 for all the above....got my bike jack from sears for around 70 bucks.

 

HD sells a set of tube protectors that completely goes the length of the bike. Placing the motorcycle jack against these will allow you to clear the shocks which hangs down below the frame a bit. This way to have a stable lift surface.BTW, they are relatively inexpensive...I seem to remember $25 or so.

 

thank you guys for all your input. i went to sears yesterday morning and picked up a bike lift. worked out great!

 

Great, now you need to get the frame protectors. The local dealer should have them in stock and they only cost about $15. They will add just enough to the bottom of the frame to prevent thelift arms from putting pressure onthe shock bodies.

And always remeber, just because its a bike jack its still nearly half a ton of bike balanced on there. It may seem solid, but it can get knocked off if your not careful. You don't want that much steel, aluminum, and plastic landing on you or anyone else. Not to mention the damage it could do to your favorite ride.