Motorcycle jack - good for those of us without centre stands
- Thread starter Tim
- Start date
TonUpSoldier
bad assed, super fast and fully gassed
If its not, my step dad and i found a solution that works, albeit a bit of a pain, but his Vulcan is too low for one, so we took a couple of 2X6's and rolled the front and back tire up on em, gave clearance to slide it right under...good buy.
78kz
Over 1,000 Posts
I called Princess Auto today, and asked if I could get one a the sale price still. She said the price will be held for 30 days, so I went in and bought one. It was in a much smaller box than I imagined. I folded the rear seats down in the car before hand, which I didn't need to do.
Pictures and a report to come.
It was the first time for me at a Princess Auto. I went to their new location in Newmarket on Leslie near Green Lane. I was like a kid in a Candy Store. So many tools and neat things.
Pictures and a report to come.
It was the first time for me at a Princess Auto. I went to their new location in Newmarket on Leslie near Green Lane. I was like a kid in a Candy Store. So many tools and neat things.
I didn't get one actually - maybe I'll swing in tomorrow. I wasn't sure if this was the model designed primarly for use on a lift table or if this was a bigger more heavy duty one. The one for use on the lift table seemed to be small, and the regular price was only about $48 or so.
If this one isn't much bigger but more stable, I'll grab it for use on the floor.
If this one isn't much bigger but more stable, I'll grab it for use on the floor.
78kz
Over 1,000 Posts
Ok, gave it a whirl. It comes assembled except for the two saddle brackets that slide on and are adjustable.
Specs in the box are as follows:
Max capacity 1100lbs (500kg)
Max height 15 3/4 " ( 400mm)
Platform size 17 23/32" x 5 29/32" (450 x 150 mm)
Net weight 31.2lbs (14.2kg)
First off, what does this mean in the instructions?: "Use this lift for second-lift purpose only".
Also, I see where Dan says "they are meant to be used as one of TWO points of contact... great on a table or floor... One wheel or the other is the second point."
I had the lift under the frame/engine during the test. Depending on where I have it either fore or aft of the pivot point, I will need to use jack stands to stabilize the bike, as the Motorcycle Jack is lifting from one point from the front to back of the bike. I guess this is what Dan and the instructions were trying to tell me.
The Jack works just like a car's scissor jack that needs to have the handle turned to raise the jack. It is fairly sturdy, with a Max load capacity of 1100 lbs, as long as you have additional support to keep the load stable. The two saddles are adjustable to line up with whatever you want to raise your bike. I lined them up with the two bottom frame tubes of my bike.
I raised the jack to 13" (not including the two sadles) in the last pic below.
This jack will definitely come in handy when I loose my centre stand later this Winter when I switch to a braced swinarm.
Not so handy when I have to remove my Oil pan, as it will be in the way for the pan's removal. Although I will be able to loosen the Oil pan bolts before hand with the bike raised.
Specs in the box are as follows:
Max capacity 1100lbs (500kg)
Max height 15 3/4 " ( 400mm)
Platform size 17 23/32" x 5 29/32" (450 x 150 mm)
Net weight 31.2lbs (14.2kg)
First off, what does this mean in the instructions?: "Use this lift for second-lift purpose only".
Also, I see where Dan says "they are meant to be used as one of TWO points of contact... great on a table or floor... One wheel or the other is the second point."
I had the lift under the frame/engine during the test. Depending on where I have it either fore or aft of the pivot point, I will need to use jack stands to stabilize the bike, as the Motorcycle Jack is lifting from one point from the front to back of the bike. I guess this is what Dan and the instructions were trying to tell me.
The Jack works just like a car's scissor jack that needs to have the handle turned to raise the jack. It is fairly sturdy, with a Max load capacity of 1100 lbs, as long as you have additional support to keep the load stable. The two saddles are adjustable to line up with whatever you want to raise your bike. I lined them up with the two bottom frame tubes of my bike.
I raised the jack to 13" (not including the two sadles) in the last pic below.
This jack will definitely come in handy when I loose my centre stand later this Winter when I switch to a braced swinarm.
Not so handy when I have to remove my Oil pan, as it will be in the way for the pan's removal. Although I will be able to loosen the Oil pan bolts before hand with the bike raised.
S
Scarcat
Guest
I'll definitely be picking up one of these on the weekend. The XS650 doesn't have a centre stand and I've been trying to figure out how to pull the engine without having to hold up the bike
HerrDeacon
Over 1,000 Posts
Scarcat said:I'll definitely be picking up one of these on the weekend. The XS650 doesn't have a centre stand and I've been trying to figure out how to pull the engine without having to hold up the bike
I've heard of guys pulling the engine by putting the entire bike on it's side on the floor, undoing the mounts and then just lift the frame from the engine. They put it back in the same way. Good if you're removing the engine by yourself and it's too heavy or bulky.
S
Scarcat
Guest
HerrDeacon said:
Laying the bike on it's side comes with all ov the same issues as laying your bike down. Mostly having to do with oil. It's a very very messy way of doing it. Did it once. Feeling much better now, thanks
S
Scarcat
Guest
Tintin said:Well, it helps if you drain the engine first
True enough, but if you've ever completely cleared every drop of oil out with an oil change, then you've got a trick or two i can learn.
Fact of the matter is that you can never get 100% of the oil out. WHen you put n engine on it's side, ot even upside down, the likelihood that oil will leak out is significantly greater because you've got the engine in a position that it was not designed to hold. There are lots of little issues like loose bolts, and rotting gaskets which almost guarantee an oil leak.
As for mounting an engine sideways ... sounds plausible if you've done a complete engine rebuild.
The only time this makes any sense to do is if the frame is totally bare. That being said, it's a common trick for the CB750, the engine from which weighs as much as I do.
My 650 engine I can lift, but not into a frame. Those Harley engines we all see being lifted into a frame by one guy are a different breed. Easier to lift, simple engine mounts etc.
I also don't want to damage the finish on my frame. I can clean up oil, I can't touch up powdercoat.
My 650 engine I can lift, but not into a frame. Those Harley engines we all see being lifted into a frame by one guy are a different breed. Easier to lift, simple engine mounts etc.
I also don't want to damage the finish on my frame. I can clean up oil, I can't touch up powdercoat.
S
Scarcat
Guest
Fair enough, but remember you to go over every nut and bolt after turning an engine sideways. Everything slides and even 0.001 inches can be a huge effect on your engine.
I did the "drop the frame over the engine" install on my CB. Worked amazingly well, as my frame was spray-bomb painted, and would scratch easily. Now, the engine was a fresh rebuild, and did not have any oil in it, so i felt ok about this.
It worked great and i didn't get a single scratch anywere.
It worked great and i didn't get a single scratch anywere.
