Ultra Classic on a jack
Ultra Classic on a jack
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?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,932
Likes: 4
From: 46th State, USA
You can't get very aggressive with moving an Ultra Classic back and forth while on a lift. Even if it is strapped down, there still is a potential of the bike being out of balance. Especially if the lift isn't located in the proper position before lifting. You need to understand that if the UC is balance once it's lifted and then a wheel and tire is removed, you now have an unbalanced motorcycle.
My Ultra is also not as stable as I would like but I've been using it for about 4 seasons now.
My Ultra is also not as stable as I would like but I've been using it for about 4 seasons now.
Last edited by shortride; Feb 11, 2010 at 06:47 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,274
Likes: 130
From: Now Western TN
Man you are going to get a lot of different answers, from use the search feature (because there are a lot of jack threads) to use this jack or that jack.
When I was looking at for a jack I looked at the one my friend had, a cheaper model like the harbor freight, and his bike rocked just like you describe. The bike was balanced, it was jack arms moving and like you said it scared me and all I could see is one day the Jack letting go.
So, we both bought a PitBull jack, really stable, you can climb on the bike with it up in the air 18", no problems. Go to thier website and check it out. J&S from what I hear also makes a great jack. You get what you pay for and if you plan ot put your $20K bike up in the air to work on it why not feel comfortable, so spend the extra money. Some people will say why not just get the Sears it works? It's personal preference, I believe in this case of jacks you get exactly what you pay for.
JMHO, oh and I agree with the prvious post, as soon as you start taking off major parts (tires and rims) be careful because it will change the balance so think ahead.
When I was looking at for a jack I looked at the one my friend had, a cheaper model like the harbor freight, and his bike rocked just like you describe. The bike was balanced, it was jack arms moving and like you said it scared me and all I could see is one day the Jack letting go.
So, we both bought a PitBull jack, really stable, you can climb on the bike with it up in the air 18", no problems. Go to thier website and check it out. J&S from what I hear also makes a great jack. You get what you pay for and if you plan ot put your $20K bike up in the air to work on it why not feel comfortable, so spend the extra money. Some people will say why not just get the Sears it works? It's personal preference, I believe in this case of jacks you get exactly what you pay for.
JMHO, oh and I agree with the prvious post, as soon as you start taking off major parts (tires and rims) be careful because it will change the balance so think ahead.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,569
Likes: 12
From: Arizona
my 90 fxstc does that and ive positioned the jack the best i can. i really hardly ever have it on the jack but im using one of those cheap checker jack, also have a beefier goodyear jack i bought at sams club but dont use it.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,614
Likes: 27
From: Toms River, NJ
You get what you pay for. The HF will rock a little but "most likely" will be ok. Check the bolts and upgrade to GRADE 8, only a few dollars at Home Depot and well worth the money. Watch when you remove the wheels. I had a "lesser" jack for year and was fine. When washing the bike I always removed the saddle bags to lighten the load. Not to start another run, but the PIT BULL is really worth the money..... not rock solid but VERY little movement.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 892
Likes: 11
From: Northern NY
My Sears model came with a set of rachet straps. If I'm going to be actively working on the bike I'll tie it down to eliminate the wobble or balance point change in the event of removing tires and wheels. It does wobble when unstrapped but becomes more stable once it is strapped down. Most of the time all I want to do with the jack is rotate the tires for a wash job or change the oils. I won't say that the sears jack is my choice for the best of the methods by any means but it works for me until I have the opportunity to buy a table.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,655
Likes: 9
From: Northwest Arkansas
I too have a jack from Northern Tool that I purchased long ago, long before you could find them much anywhere else. I think it was like $150 about 12-13 years ago. I used to use it to clean my Heritage Springer with no problems. It did wobble a little front to back, but I could roll the bike around on it no problem.
Fast forward now to my Street Glide, the jack isn't quite low enough, unless I stand the bike up a little, to get the jack under it.
Last year I took both tires off to change them. 1st the front, then the back. No problem, but still a little wobbly. Went I went to put them back on, I did the front 1st, because it was easier, although it wasn't the last 1 I took off last. That made the bike very wobbly!!
It seems that I had positioned the jack so that there was more weight on the front end. When I took the front tire of 1st, it wasn't a problem. If I had put the back tire back on 1st, it still wouldn't have been a problem. When I decided to put the front tire back on 1st, with the back tire still off, that was a problem. I hurried up and got something under the front tire to try and help balance it.
Now the next time I have to do tires, I'm really going to have to figure out the best way to balance everything.
The reason I took both tires off at the same time is that my Indy who changed them is 20 miles away and I didn't want to make 4 trips, 2 was enough.
Fast forward now to my Street Glide, the jack isn't quite low enough, unless I stand the bike up a little, to get the jack under it.
Last year I took both tires off to change them. 1st the front, then the back. No problem, but still a little wobbly. Went I went to put them back on, I did the front 1st, because it was easier, although it wasn't the last 1 I took off last. That made the bike very wobbly!!
It seems that I had positioned the jack so that there was more weight on the front end. When I took the front tire of 1st, it wasn't a problem. If I had put the back tire back on 1st, it still wouldn't have been a problem. When I decided to put the front tire back on 1st, with the back tire still off, that was a problem. I hurried up and got something under the front tire to try and help balance it.
Now the next time I have to do tires, I'm really going to have to figure out the best way to balance everything.
The reason I took both tires off at the same time is that my Indy who changed them is 20 miles away and I didn't want to make 4 trips, 2 was enough.
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Account Retired
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,245
Likes: 12
From: Here
I also have the HF jack. Has worked great so far. I know the J&S and pitbull are a better option, but for cleaning my bike and changing tires mine is all I need. It's simple to make it steady. If I'm cleaning my wheels or installing a new rear tire or front, I put a bucket or block or scissor jack from my truck under the other wheel to steady it. I just measured my frme under my UC before answering this thread. My jack is 17 1/2 Inches wide. I took the two top plates and reversed them when I bought it. The tube frame of my UC from the Jiffy stand to where it starts turning up at the back is 18 1/2 inches. I could climb up on my bike and sit down with it on the HF jack, but why would I want to??? also there has been some previous post on here and one guy said he's already had two bottles fail with his J&S. I personnaly think they are very simular in design..JMO
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 37
From: Rockland County, NY
My Sears red jack wobbled too. My J&S jack is real solid and I feel confident leaving it up to the highest point over night. Of course, there are safety locks but the jack has never dropped at all.
J&S is significantly wider and starts out lower than the cheapies. Fits under lower bikes and rock solid.
J&S is significantly wider and starts out lower than the cheapies. Fits under lower bikes and rock solid.