Craftsman jack
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,452
Likes: 23
From: Michigan
I have the red one also, no problems like other have said you need to position it just right to change fluids, to be honest I have not used mine to drain any fluids but do use it to fill the primary so the bike is level.
I use it to wash the bike, so much easier doing the inside of the muffler tips with it lifted, and I use it to do any work on the bike.
I feel it is very stable, no problems holding a SG or a Heritage.
Depending on what I am doing depends if I strap it down or not.
Weavr99FLHT....That's a little scary the safety stops sharing off, did they both share off at the same time?
I use it to wash the bike, so much easier doing the inside of the muffler tips with it lifted, and I use it to do any work on the bike.
I feel it is very stable, no problems holding a SG or a Heritage.
Depending on what I am doing depends if I strap it down or not.
Weavr99FLHT....That's a little scary the safety stops sharing off, did they both share off at the same time?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,609
Likes: 1,601
From: Eastern Ohio
I modded mine by moving the pads to the outside making it wider and it is very stable, don't even have to strap bike on and its fine. Have to watch where place it when changing fluids or it will block off a drain plug but that is one of the down-falls to widening it out but worth it to me.
When I was using mine this winter to install the new bars, I climbed on the bike while up on the Jack and positioned the bars where I wanted them. I'm an additional 215 lbs on top of the Electra. It still felt very stable. (I had the screw jacks down, not on the casters)
What were you lifting with it? How old was it? I know mine was my brother's before he gave it to me. He got it back in the 90's. Maybe the quality has gone down hill?
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 286
Likes: 24
From: West Louisiana
I too have the Harbor Freight one, looks like the one sold by Sears. My major dislike is you can't lower it slowly. It either comes down fast and faster. Not really an issue unless your reinstalling your back tire and want to lower the bike down to the tire.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 39
From: Everywhere
I was lifting my 08 FLHTC to clean the wheels. the lowest safety stop on both sides sheared off. Jack was about 7 years old at the time. I used the second from lowest safety stops after that, and this year (3 years later), one of those sheared off.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,609
Likes: 1,601
From: Eastern Ohio
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 185
Likes: 4
From: Florida
I have the red Sears model. To get it under my RK, I have to lean the bike straight up off the jiffy stand. I just sit on the bike, pull it up straight and use my right foot to side the stand under it. I pump it a few times until the arms touch, then I get off and check the position and then jack it to whatever height needed. Maybe I'm lucky but mine comes down nice and slow, very controlled. Once the wheels touch the ground, I re-mount, and drop it all the way. I really like this jack. No issues withe the three stops so far.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Thanks to all for the responses and input. I bought the red one last night. I'm going to b doing some work on her today, so I'll make sure to post my experience.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 14,731
Likes: 2,536
From: Mountain Top, Alabama
A few tips for your jack, especially those who wash their bikes on it - like me.
- Check all fasteners from time to time. Safety first!
- After washing my bike on the jack and the jack is removed, in the driveway I "Roll" my jack over forward to put the handle on the ground. The jack will almost be upside down. This will allow all water to drain off the jack. From time to time, once dry, I put a few drops of oil on the pivot points, as well as the wheel bearings and center shafts of each wheel. Very easy with the jack in this position, and keeps it easy to move around.
- Double check that the kickstand is not only down but also "Locked in" before lowering the bike. I prefer to lower the bike with one hand holding the front brake lever in and the other hand on the jack, while keeping the bike smooth and steady.
- And finally, find the sweet spot to place the jack under your bike where the weight is as well distributed front to rear as you can, while allowing access to the drain plugs under the bike. With the bike barely lifted, rock it a little front to rear and relocate the jack if needed. Once you find the spot, go to it every time.
I trimmed a piece of plywood that fits thru the jack arms/braces to hold a drain pan and a few tools while going over my bike. Hey, get creative!
Work safe! Ride safe!
- Check all fasteners from time to time. Safety first!
- After washing my bike on the jack and the jack is removed, in the driveway I "Roll" my jack over forward to put the handle on the ground. The jack will almost be upside down. This will allow all water to drain off the jack. From time to time, once dry, I put a few drops of oil on the pivot points, as well as the wheel bearings and center shafts of each wheel. Very easy with the jack in this position, and keeps it easy to move around.
- Double check that the kickstand is not only down but also "Locked in" before lowering the bike. I prefer to lower the bike with one hand holding the front brake lever in and the other hand on the jack, while keeping the bike smooth and steady.
- And finally, find the sweet spot to place the jack under your bike where the weight is as well distributed front to rear as you can, while allowing access to the drain plugs under the bike. With the bike barely lifted, rock it a little front to rear and relocate the jack if needed. Once you find the spot, go to it every time.
I trimmed a piece of plywood that fits thru the jack arms/braces to hold a drain pan and a few tools while going over my bike. Hey, get creative!
Work safe! Ride safe!
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 132
From: Deep South, Louisiana
I have a K&L and used it for several years with no problem then I acquired a Craftsman for free in LNC. I thought it was great because it had a handle so that I could drag it out the shop and a big pump lever compared to my K&L. Then I jacked up my bike Ultra Limited and that thing was so wobbly compared to my K&L. Never used it again and got rid of it.