Which jack?
Novice
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 15
Likes: 1
From: Wisconsin
Don't know the brand name but mine looks very similar to the crapsman and it makes me nervous having my bike on it. It does lean to one side and I always have one hand on the bars when raising and lowering it. I did modified mine by bolting a 18"x18" x 3/4" piece of plywood to it with a 3/8" rubber mat glued to it. That did make it a little more stable and a little space to put tools on. That said, before I start another big project I am going to get a lift table.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,151
Likes: 14
From: Seattle
If you end up going cheap like I did, the HF is about $60 after the discount. Just make sure to get the steel unit not aluminum. Mine operates smoothly and I can roll the bike around the garage with no problem. I'm sure the JS is better though.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 391
Likes: 52
From: Pittsburgh, Pa.
I don't care what anyone says there is nothing wrong with the red Craftsman jack. I'm on my 2nd one now ... only because I sold my 1st one to a buddy because I made the mistake of riding a Ducati and traded the HD for it so no use for it while I had the Duc. After I wised up, traded the Duc and got this bike I had to buy another one and didn't think twice about buying old reliable red again. The yellow aluminum Craftsman jack is the one I heard sucks, not as stable as the red steel one. I used my 1st one for almost ten years, sold it to my buddy for 50 bucks who lifts his trike with it and it's still going strong today. All you have to do is center the bike and slide it under and you're good to go. Back in '05 when I had my SEEG, I had to make ramps and pull the bike up on them to slide the jack under because it sat lower, but not with my old RGU or this bike. I never once used the tie-downs it comes with and it is stable once you lower it onto one of the three safety catches and screw the little feet against the floor. Yes, there are better jacks out there, but I would rather drop one hundred dollar bill than a few for something that does the same damn thing the expensive ones do.
Last edited by BlueBeast; May 10, 2016 at 03:49 AM.
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,689
Likes: 457
I don't care what anyone says there is nothing wrong with the red Craftsman jack. I'm on my 2nd one now ... only because I sold my 1st one to a buddy because I made the mistake of riding a Ducati and traded the HD for it so no use for it while I had the Duc. After I wised up, traded the Duc and got this bike I had to buy another one and didn't think twice about buying old reliable red again. The yellow aluminum Craftsman jack is the one I heard sucks, not as stable as the red steel one. I used my 1st one for almost ten years, sold it to my buddy for 50 bucks who lifts his trike with it and it's still going strong today. All you have to do is center the bike and slide it under and you're good to go. Back in '05 when I had my SEEG, I had to make ramps and pull the bike up on them to slide the jack under because it sat lower, but not with my old RGU or this bike. I never once used the tie-downs it comes with and it is stable once you lower it onto one of the three safety catches and screw the little feet against the floor. Yes, there are better jacks out there, but I would rather drop one hundred dollar bill than a few for something that does the same damn thing the expensive ones do.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,549
Likes: 8
From: North Texas
Had the Sears yellow jack for 3-4 years, then bought a J&S jack. Much better quality. If you have the room, get a lift.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 391
Likes: 52
From: Pittsburgh, Pa.
I came from a Sears jack to a J&S. They do not do the same thing. There's is no way I would have rolled the bike around my shop floor or sat on it while on the jack, for adjusting handle bars for example, like I do all the time on my J&S. I'm not trying to argue with you or say you can't get by with a Sears jack. However, after using a J&S, it would be hard to go back to anything else. The quality and stability is not even comparable to a Sears jack. If I can afford a touring Harley, I can afford a quality jack for my safety and the bikes safety. Just something to consider before buying.
Last edited by BlueBeast; May 10, 2016 at 03:51 AM.
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