Center Stand Query
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,845
Likes: 938
From: Lincolnshire, IL
Just buy a JACK.......you won't regret it and when the times comes to sell it you'll get some money back. They're also the best way to maneuver your cycle into tight garage corners or spaces with zero "struggle". Great for storage, cleaning, maintenance etc. Lots of good brands on the market....some even "like" the cheap Harbor Freight ones (not me).
Expand your thinking and consider a good Jack/lift.
Expand your thinking and consider a good Jack/lift.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 273
Likes: 23
Had an EZup on my 2013 Road King. Worked OK until Howard worked up a set of Ohlins for me. They were slightly longer and while the stand still worked it was like the bike was on a teeter totter. Too bad they don't have adjustable feet like some others. It was sold and I went back to using my lift.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
i bought one of them roller stands for my sportster about 20 years ago. threw it away, it didn't work for ****.
i also recommend getting a good jack/lift. using a center stand to raise your wheel off the ground is great, but you're still crawling around on the ground trying to get to the wheel, valve stem, etc. with a good lift, you get the bike up to a comfortable height and you have much better access to clean, etc.
imo, a harbor freight lift is not 'a good lift'. spend the extra money and get a better one. i had the hf one also cause in my ignorance, thought it would be 'good enough'. hah. when you lift your bike up high, it is very wobbly. not to mention having to strap the bike down on it as well. i have a j&s now, and i have no worries about lifting the bike to max height, and/or removing front or rear wheels without having to strap the bike down.
i also recommend getting a good jack/lift. using a center stand to raise your wheel off the ground is great, but you're still crawling around on the ground trying to get to the wheel, valve stem, etc. with a good lift, you get the bike up to a comfortable height and you have much better access to clean, etc.
imo, a harbor freight lift is not 'a good lift'. spend the extra money and get a better one. i had the hf one also cause in my ignorance, thought it would be 'good enough'. hah. when you lift your bike up high, it is very wobbly. not to mention having to strap the bike down on it as well. i have a j&s now, and i have no worries about lifting the bike to max height, and/or removing front or rear wheels without having to strap the bike down.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 408
Likes: 103
From: Chesterfield, UK
i bought one of them roller stands for my sportster about 20 years ago. threw it away, it didn't work for ****.
i also recommend getting a good jack/lift. using a center stand to raise your wheel off the ground is great, but you're still crawling around on the ground trying to get to the wheel, valve stem, etc. with a good lift, you get the bike up to a comfortable height and you have much better access to clean, etc.
imo, a harbor freight lift is not 'a good lift'. spend the extra money and get a better one. i had the hf one also cause in my ignorance, thought it would be 'good enough'. hah. when you lift your bike up high, it is very wobbly. not to mention having to strap the bike down on it as well. i have a j&s now, and i have no worries about lifting the bike to max height, and/or removing front or rear wheels without having to strap the bike down.
i also recommend getting a good jack/lift. using a center stand to raise your wheel off the ground is great, but you're still crawling around on the ground trying to get to the wheel, valve stem, etc. with a good lift, you get the bike up to a comfortable height and you have much better access to clean, etc.
imo, a harbor freight lift is not 'a good lift'. spend the extra money and get a better one. i had the hf one also cause in my ignorance, thought it would be 'good enough'. hah. when you lift your bike up high, it is very wobbly. not to mention having to strap the bike down on it as well. i have a j&s now, and i have no worries about lifting the bike to max height, and/or removing front or rear wheels without having to strap the bike down.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
it may be. all depends on how far the support is spaced. the j&s support arms are located 15'' center to center, with the footprint being equal to that. the one you linked is 12'' lifting area, and 14'' on the footprint. know anyone who has a jack over there you can test? i imagine the j&s is going to be very expensive to ship overseas....
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 408
Likes: 103
From: Chesterfield, UK
it may be. all depends on how far the support is spaced. the j&s support arms are located 15'' center to center, with the footprint being equal to that. the one you linked is 12'' lifting area, and 14'' on the footprint. know anyone who has a jack over there you can test? i imagine the j&s is going to be very expensive to ship overseas....
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 408
Likes: 103
From: Chesterfield, UK
Well I'm glad I watched some videos as I'd have put the lift in from the side stand side of the bike but all the videos show them putting the jack in from the other side 
That's not ideal as this side is up against the wall of the garage so I'll probably have to wheel it out on to the road (I live on a cul de sac) as my drive slopes.
That's not ideal as this side is up against the wall of the garage so I'll probably have to wheel it out on to the road (I live on a cul de sac) as my drive slopes.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,845
Likes: 938
From: Lincolnshire, IL
In my first reply didn't want to mention that I too have a J&S Jack cause I didn't want people to think I was only advocating that brand. Having said that, it's a great product...but yes, its expensive. You DO pay for what you get, and when it's resold as used most command at least 1/2 the original price and more.
There must be someone making a great jack in Europe.....shop around.
There must be someone making a great jack in Europe.....shop around.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
i've put my jack through from the other side before and not had any issues. i did have to tilt the bike toward vertical to give enough clearance for the support arm to slide under.
