Good low profile jack
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: The 1980's
Good low profile jack
Just got my bike back from the dealer after having both front & rear lowered. There's now approximately 4 1/4 inches clearance between frame and garage floor.
Sure, I could mess around and put 2x4 under each wheel to get my current hydraulic jacks under the bike. But that's something I'd rather not tackle alone, which is usually the case when I'm doing something to the bike. I have a scissor type that lifts the bike easily enough with a 1/2 impact driver. But the little cart with tiny steel castors that it fits into is a bitch to roll. Anyone recommend a good low profile jack that I can push the bike around a little bit with?
I'm not looking to roll it all over the garage, just to push it 2 feet or less into a corner or up tight to a wall when it's up on the jack. I've seen the Pittsburgh 63-397. Looks like it might be low enough but I've also seen reviews and pics of it maybe not being so sturdy and occasionally failing.
Bike is a 2024 FLHTP so it comes in at 800+ pounds. Any suggestions?
Sure, I could mess around and put 2x4 under each wheel to get my current hydraulic jacks under the bike. But that's something I'd rather not tackle alone, which is usually the case when I'm doing something to the bike. I have a scissor type that lifts the bike easily enough with a 1/2 impact driver. But the little cart with tiny steel castors that it fits into is a bitch to roll. Anyone recommend a good low profile jack that I can push the bike around a little bit with?
I'm not looking to roll it all over the garage, just to push it 2 feet or less into a corner or up tight to a wall when it's up on the jack. I've seen the Pittsburgh 63-397. Looks like it might be low enough but I've also seen reviews and pics of it maybe not being so sturdy and occasionally failing.
Bike is a 2024 FLHTP so it comes in at 800+ pounds. Any suggestions?
Last edited by 2goldens; Feb 23, 2026 at 10:50 AM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 2,227
Likes: 2,144
From: West Coast
I used
on my old 2014 that was lowered an inch. It fit fine when upright so I would slide it under with my foot when I pulled into the garage. or shove in from the right side while pulling bike off of jiffy stand via hand on the throttle if I was off the bike. Can be found for half that price on Temu if you trust them...
Last edited by Taxgod4u; Feb 23, 2026 at 10:58 AM.
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: The 1980's
I used this on my old 2014 that was lowered an inch. It fit fine when upright so I would slide it under wit my foot when I pulled into the garage.
I mostly keep that one in the trailer in case I needed to jack a bike up on a trip.
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: The 1980's
As it turns out, this may now be a moot post. But I'm still curious what others have used and may still possibly be interested in buying something if the right jack were presented.
For years I've had two of the standard type motorcycle hydraulic jacks that can be found anywhere. One is an old Craftsman that I bought back when Sears still had stores all over the country. The other was something I picked up at the local Auto Zone.
The Craftsman I could get it under my 2002 Fat Boy with no problems. I could get the Auto Zone jack under my wife's 2005 Deluxe if I had a 2x6 under the front tire. The AZ jack is just a bit lower than the Craftsman.
So for grins I tried that old Auto Zone jack with just a 1 x 5 under each tire of the FLHTP. Using 1x didn't make things too tippy or hard to handle by myself. Lo and behold the old AZ jack slid right under.
So I guess the problem is solved. But like I said if someone has found and uses a good quality low profile jack I might still be interested.
For years I've had two of the standard type motorcycle hydraulic jacks that can be found anywhere. One is an old Craftsman that I bought back when Sears still had stores all over the country. The other was something I picked up at the local Auto Zone.
The Craftsman I could get it under my 2002 Fat Boy with no problems. I could get the Auto Zone jack under my wife's 2005 Deluxe if I had a 2x6 under the front tire. The AZ jack is just a bit lower than the Craftsman.
So for grins I tried that old Auto Zone jack with just a 1 x 5 under each tire of the FLHTP. Using 1x didn't make things too tippy or hard to handle by myself. Lo and behold the old AZ jack slid right under.
So I guess the problem is solved. But like I said if someone has found and uses a good quality low profile jack I might still be interested.
Last edited by 2goldens; Feb 23, 2026 at 12:26 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,716
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From: Southern Virginia
I would be really careful about the quality of a jack when lifting a Harley touring bike. If we pay $30,000 plus for our bike why would we shave off a couple of hundred bucks on a jack that could send the bike crashing to the ground? I've seen a Harbor Freight jack collapse with a Harley touring bike on it. Also the Amazon listing above has photos a guy posted where the jack actually bent the first time he used it only lifting his Road King two inches off the floor.
Anything of any quality level can fail, but I like to hedge my bets when I can.
Anything of any quality level can fail, but I like to hedge my bets when I can.
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: The 1980's
I would be really careful about the quality of a jack when lifting a Harley touring bike. If we pay $30,000 plus for our bike why would we shave off a couple of hundred bucks on a jack that could send the bike crashing to the ground? I've seen a Harbor Freight jack collapse with a Harley touring bike on it. Also the Amazon listing above has photos a guy posted where the jack actually bent the first time he used it only lifting his Road King two inches off the floor.
Anything of any quality level can fail, but I like to hedge my bets when I can.
Anything of any quality level can fail, but I like to hedge my bets when I can.
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,066
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From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail
I had considered this OTC jack when I was looking at jacks for my '13 King. Says the lowest point is 3 1/2". I eventually bought the now defunct J&S jack as the rails are longer and wider than the OTC. I also lowered my King 1" front and rear and the J&S fits under.
Last edited by RKZen; Feb 23, 2026 at 02:15 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 459
Likes: 314
From: Beaver PA
Your best bet is to find an old Pitbull or J&S jack. They might cost almost as much or more than a newer jack, but are much better with regards to stability of the bike in the air. You can find them on Facebook marketplace here and there and even Craigslist as well.
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