Tips for using my jack, please
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 287
Likes: 4
From: Alabama
I usually use my Sears jack from the left side, seems easier to me and I never have any help. One thing I want to mention is never trust aftermarket grips when letting it down. Once i was letting mine down while holding the left Kuryakyn grip to steady it and the grip came off in my hand while the bike went over to the right. I guess if I were using it from the right it would have landed on the stand so here's a good example of why using it from the right side may be best. It didn't hurt it but there is nothing worse than seeing your pride and joy bouncing on concrete.
You can, as noted earlier in the thread, lift from the left side, but before you do that, you should try lifting your bike up from the right side. You might find that once the jack is all the way up, it won't be in the way. I've done a lot of motor work on my bike and others, and I always lift from the left side. My current jack is a pitbull, which is quite a bit larger than the sears/hf/pepboys jacks, and once the bike is lifted up, the jack part of it is underneath the bike, and out of the way.
I've owned and used Sears and HF jacks for big and small jobs, and they will do the job. I'd probably lower the bike down to where it was resting on the wheels if you're going to leave it overnight.
I've owned and used Sears and HF jacks for big and small jobs, and they will do the job. I'd probably lower the bike down to where it was resting on the wheels if you're going to leave it overnight.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 867
Likes: 224
From: Pa
i have the sears jack. i always put it in from the left side, just stand bike up leaving kick stand down and jack up, when i get to the height i want (3 choices) i set the lock bar and let the jack down to lock in place. bike is pretty sturdy on the jack. i can move it around a little just being carefull not to tug or push to hard. just use common sence and all will be good.my bike has set all winter on the highest setting all winter untill last week when i took it to dealer for its 103 upgrade.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,450
Likes: 4
From: El Cajon Ca.
I have the exact same jack. I always use it on the left side. It's easier for me that way. Just tip the bike up off the stand and slide the jack under it with your foot. Make sure the jack is centered before you jack it all the way up. When lowering crack the valve a little and then close it back up. Then you can use your foot on the valve and lower the bike down all the way. I don't trust the lock on it and stick a 2x4 between the two sections for a back up.
I have the harbor freight jack and I've usd it on my SG many times. I've slid it in from both sides depending on which side of the bike I'm working on. I usually have to stand my bike straight up in order to get my jack under it. I usually strap it down when it's on the jack. I'll run a strap across the lower engine guard and one across the swingarm.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 565
Likes: 1
From: Pittsburgh
What year RK do you have? Most touring bikes are heavy towards the back. I have a jack a little similar to your's except mine is pretty low to the ground and even though my bike has been lowered 1" front and back, I don't have any problems lifting from the right side of the bike. I suggest that you place the jack closer to the back of the frame than in the center, taking care to give yourself at least 2-3" from the very back. Also, take off your saddle bags as they just add more weight to the back side. If you are lifting from the right side of the bike, leave your kickstand down at all times. When your done and your'e ready to drop the bike make sure your kickstand is down.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,625
Likes: 129
From: Black River Falls, WI.
my 02
Sweep the floor around where the jack is going to sit incase you want to roll it out of the way for over night or something. I live in sand country and 1 little grain of sand can *** up the entire unnerving rolling process.
Kris
Kris
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I have the same kind of Jack. I line it up on the left side and while holding the bike up right I kick the Jiffy stand up and with a foot, I slide the jack under the bike. Once it's under the bike, it holds it up like the Jiffy stand, then I raise the Jack. Not the safest way to do it, but when you are working by your self, it gets the job done. If your bike has been lowered you must use wood blocks under tires as described above. In fact, one inch think wood makes it allot easier. I used straps to tie the bike down for the first couple of times, then I got confidant in the jack holding the bike up. Is that "confident" or complacent? It is always good to use two people to safely place a bike on a Jack and strap the bike to the jack. Only lift it as high as necessary to do the work. You can place the jack further toward the front to just lift the front wheel and towards the back to only lift the back wheel. My jack has an auto safety lock that's locks the jack up. If yours does, don't forget to unlock it when jacking down the bike. These are pretty safe Jacks and when you get using it on a regular basis it becomes easier. Safety first!
