Sears Yellow jack for a Softail Modification, with pics.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,173
Likes: 177
From: East Coast
They call them Frame Protectors to prevent the "frame" from being gouged up/scratched by the jacking equipment. Otherwise they would call them "Softail Shock Protecters".. Once again I checked out my Red Craftsman Jack by lifting my Heritage and neithor pad comes in contact with the shocks?! Go figure... !! Perhaps I'm lifting in the wrong area?! Never had a problem with balance that I've noticed...
Boy, did you just make a lot of sense. Now how come I didn't see this blatantly obvious fact???
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,981
Likes: 48
From: Northern Illinois
They call them Frame Protectors to prevent the "frame" from being gouged up/scratched by the jacking equipment. Otherwise they would call them "Softail Shock Protecters".. Once again I checked out my Red Craftsman Jack by lifting my Heritage and neithor pad comes in contact with the shocks?! Go figure... !! Perhaps I'm lifting in the wrong area?! Never had a problem with balance that I've noticed...
If I place the Jack towards the rear so as to have the shocks between the original Jack pads, the Jack lifts the rear of the bike, but the front tire is still on the ground.
I then tried to place the jack just forward of the shocks and tried to lift the bike. Again, the front tire comes up, but not the rear.
The only way to lift my Heritage so that it's balanced is to have the rear Jack pad under the shocks.
That's my story and I'm stickin to it
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,981
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From: Northern Illinois
This is a funny thread! I used to have that jack (until someone stole it) and never had any problems clearing my shocks. The two pads are wide enough to clear both shocks. And if the jack pads are hitting the shocks you have the jack postioned wrong...
I now went to the cheaper but "it gets the job done" Harbor Frieght jack....I sure do miss my Sear yellow though.
Frame Protectors = BS
I now went to the cheaper but "it gets the job done" Harbor Frieght jack....I sure do miss my Sear yellow though.
Frame Protectors = BS
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,864
Likes: 7
From: kansas city,mo
They call them Frame Protectors to prevent the "frame" from being gouged up/scratched by the jacking equipment. Otherwise they would call them "Softail Shock Protecters".. Once again I checked out my Red Craftsman Jack by lifting my Heritage and neithor pad comes in contact with the shocks?! Go figure... !! Perhaps I'm lifting in the wrong area?! Never had a problem with balance that I've noticed...
And about those frame things. Most jacks are padded and dont scratch or ding your frame. They are another way for HD to make some $$$ of people.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,864
Likes: 7
From: kansas city,mo
We got practically the very same bike. Actually my front slider kit was a Heritage kit. Same balance points. Stick your jack almost against your kick stand and your bike will lift nicely. Give it a whirl!...
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Northern Illinois
You can see by the pictures that with the Jack placed as you suggest, the bike isn't even close to being balanced. You can see that the front tire is raised, but the rear tire is still on the ground.
So there's my proof, you seem pretty sure of yourself, let's see some pics proving me wrong.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 976
Likes: 1
From:
No camera so can't do pictures ... I measured the distance of the lift pads on my Red Jack which is 14 inches width outside and 9 inches inside width.. I have always set my jacks rear lift pad on the metal cross brace (mounting frame of the shocks) Centered.... That puts the very edge of the lift pad up against the shocks.. And when lifting the rear tire clears the ground first as the front forks extend a little before clearing..
The center of gravity for the bike is more towards the rear of the bike I would suspect due to the extended heavy front end. Somewhere around the rear cyl and transmission and for me that's just about centerline of the Red Jack..
I just jacked up my bike to confirm this and everything went smooth! There is nothing at all pressing on the shocks! They are aft of the rear jack pad. The jack is about 3 inches away from the kickstand mount also..
We could kick this around for days so I'll just lay back and read.. but for me using a stock Craftsman Red Jack on my stock 2010 Heritage classic.... I have no need to modify a thing or use frame protectors.
The center of gravity for the bike is more towards the rear of the bike I would suspect due to the extended heavy front end. Somewhere around the rear cyl and transmission and for me that's just about centerline of the Red Jack..
I just jacked up my bike to confirm this and everything went smooth! There is nothing at all pressing on the shocks! They are aft of the rear jack pad. The jack is about 3 inches away from the kickstand mount also..
We could kick this around for days so I'll just lay back and read.. but for me using a stock Craftsman Red Jack on my stock 2010 Heritage classic.... I have no need to modify a thing or use frame protectors.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 976
Likes: 1
From:
You know, I just took a closer look at your pictures.... and you have the jack's rear pad exactly where I place mine! The first picture you proveded, is it just me or what but the jack looks to be somewhat "twisted" at the base ?! Could be an optical thingie..
Also the "footprint" of the jack doesn't look as firm and well seated as my Red Jack looks..
I'm beginning to think that the flat metal construction of the Yellow jack perhaps isn't as ridgid as the Red jack and once side of the jack is bearing most of the weight!?
Just an observation
Also the "footprint" of the jack doesn't look as firm and well seated as my Red Jack looks..
I'm beginning to think that the flat metal construction of the Yellow jack perhaps isn't as ridgid as the Red jack and once side of the jack is bearing most of the weight!?
Just an observation
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,981
Likes: 48
From: Northern Illinois
You know, I just took a closer look at your pictures.... and you have the jack's rear pad exactly where I place mine! The first picture you proveded, is it just me or what but the jack looks to be somewhat "twisted" at the base ?! Could be an optical thingie..
Also the "footprint" of the jack doesn't look as firm and well seated as my Red Jack looks..
I'm beginning to think that the flat metal construction of the Yellow jack perhaps isn't as ridgid as the Red jack and once side of the jack is bearing most of the weight!?
Just an observation
Also the "footprint" of the jack doesn't look as firm and well seated as my Red Jack looks..
I'm beginning to think that the flat metal construction of the Yellow jack perhaps isn't as ridgid as the Red jack and once side of the jack is bearing most of the weight!?
Just an observation
Yes, jack is where you say you place yours.
No, Jack is not twisted.
"Footprint" is fine.
Weight is evenly distributed.
Have no idea why the balance point on my 2011 is different than on your 2010, but it is, as you can clearly see by the pics.
Didn't intend this thread to get into a pissing match, I was just offering what I thought was a neat mod if someone happened to have the same jack as I did.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,864
Likes: 7
From: kansas city,mo
Man i've lifted my bike manyo times in that exact spot but with the jack handle on the primary side. And with NO problems. Your 2011 is no major difference than a 2007 in weight. Switch your jack around... make sure to place it almost against your kick stand. If i still had that jack i would post some pics also.
Give it a try! As i know for a fact that jack is balanced with a softail on top. I used a Sears yellow for just about 2 yrs.
Give it a try! As i know for a fact that jack is balanced with a softail on top. I used a Sears yellow for just about 2 yrs.
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