Ultra Classic on a jack
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 658
Likes: 23
From: South Florida
Question for you guys. I have a motorcycle jack, not a lift table, that I use for my Ultra Classic. My question is, how much do your bikes rock or teeter front to back when it's on the jack? The jack rails are always in contact with the two bottom frame rails but I'm concerned about the amount of play or slop in my jack. There is no side-to-side movement at all. It just rocks a lot in my opinion front-to-back. I bought my jack from Northern Tool because they had it in stock when I went shopping for one and it was the only one they carry. I see pictures of bikes jacked up really high and see comments of guys lifting their bikes 18" or more. I'm afraid to go much higher than just getting my tires off the ground. I'm not even sure I want to use it when it comes time to pull the wheels off for new tires. Is this normal?
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
From: THE OCEAN STATE
I have a craftsmen and it has worked fine. jack it to the max, use the safety lock and kick a milk crate under the tire or both if ya want to get carried away torquing. I store fully raised, safety lock and crate under rear wheel.,,..o~` o
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,932
Likes: 4
From: 46th State, USA
I've used the Red Craftsman jack for several years and I am always extra careful while placing the jack in the correct position, lifting slowly, stopping every once in a while to make sure everything is ok. While lifting about 900 lbs, you can't be to careful. It's the rocking back and forth motions that can gradually bend and fatigue the metal braces on the jack. Eventually causing it to collapse or fall off. I've often wondered what one would do if while the scoot is in the air and the jack failed. How would you get it down with the safety latch engaged?
Account Retired
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,245
Likes: 12
From: Here
++ for J&S & the jack frame's covered for life, but bottle's only 2-yrs. IMO, if the hydro jack fails after warranty, go to the auto store & get another. I believe J&S changed their vendor so it might not be a problem anymore.
Don't want to start any "forum wars" but & went to our local HF store & looked at both m/c jacks (steel & alum) & both are junk. Anyone leaving their $pendy $coot on them is waiting for an expensive insurance claim & repair bill. If you can afford to own a HD - you can afford to buy a quality jack/lift (J&S or PitBull - recommended by most). Just have a few less smokes, beers & women every day so you can afford it. My scoot's tucked away for winter & I sleep soundly knowing I won't hear a loud "crash" during the night...JMO (don't kill the messenger).
Don't want to start any "forum wars" but & went to our local HF store & looked at both m/c jacks (steel & alum) & both are junk. Anyone leaving their $pendy $coot on them is waiting for an expensive insurance claim & repair bill. If you can afford to own a HD - you can afford to buy a quality jack/lift (J&S or PitBull - recommended by most). Just have a few less smokes, beers & women every day so you can afford it. My scoot's tucked away for winter & I sleep soundly knowing I won't hear a loud "crash" during the night...JMO (don't kill the messenger).
Tourer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
I use a Duralst bike lift, bought it used as it was in brand new shape. It looks just like the Sears and probably is manufactured by the same company, but with a different private label. There are only a handfull of companies making these jacks and they resell them to Harbor Freight, Sears, Duralast, Big Daddy (pep boys) and others.
I use mine on my 06 Ultra and once in position I use th safety latch and ratchet straps. If I am working on the front end, to be safe I put either a block or something else under the back tire, just as a precaution of being out of balance. When I work on the back end I do the same to the front.
If I ned to pull both ends off, then I would do the rear first, then the front. Seems to be the best combo. I also remove the side bags befroe hand to eleviate a little of the weight difference.
One thing I always lift from the rear brake foot pedal side, and leave my Jiffy stand down. This way if I forgot to activate the safety latch and the jack slowly lowers it will stand the bike upright once down. (I ALWAYS REMOVE ANY BLOCKS BEFORE LEAVING IT UNATTENDED) When thi shas happened, the bike has always positioned itself accordingly.
I use mine on my 06 Ultra and once in position I use th safety latch and ratchet straps. If I am working on the front end, to be safe I put either a block or something else under the back tire, just as a precaution of being out of balance. When I work on the back end I do the same to the front.
If I ned to pull both ends off, then I would do the rear first, then the front. Seems to be the best combo. I also remove the side bags befroe hand to eleviate a little of the weight difference.
One thing I always lift from the rear brake foot pedal side, and leave my Jiffy stand down. This way if I forgot to activate the safety latch and the jack slowly lowers it will stand the bike upright once down. (I ALWAYS REMOVE ANY BLOCKS BEFORE LEAVING IT UNATTENDED) When thi shas happened, the bike has always positioned itself accordingly.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,190
Likes: 5
From: Eastern Washington
Are you an Engineer? Maybe a Degree in Metallurgy? If you didn't want to start a forum war, you wouldn't make statement's like this!!! A lot of folks on here bought and use the jacks from HF and sear's, and are happy with them. They do what they bought them for. They are not junk! They do what they are designed to do. They have lock position's just like your jack. They are made from square steel tubing and angle, just like your jack! Hyd. bottle can be replaced if needed at your local store as well. I wouldn't spend 35,000 for a CVO, but I'm not going to tell someone that does, they are stupid....that's their thing!
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,955
Likes: 7
From: The Great Northwest
No problems or worries or tiedowns with my Ultra on the Pitbull. Can go up to 24 in and easily push the whole set-up around the garage or out onto the apron for washing. Money well spent. J & S is another fine option.
Account Retired
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,245
Likes: 12
From: Here
Good picture Clint55, Good quality jack! If anybody wants their HF or Sear's jack to be a bit more stable, go to the Hardware and get two pieces Of 1 1/2 or 2" angle 24 inches long and bolt at each end leaving a small 1/8 clearance from the floor. You'll have the same stability as this jack. That's the only difference I see...the base is wider!!
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