Motorcycle/atv jack

[Grez007]

Does anyone use these on first gen bikes? I searched and only found posts about second gen bikes and the use of spacers or adapters. I realize the bike has a center stand but to use one of these can one just lift streight from the exhaust(doesn't seem like a great idea to me) as it sits lower than the frame? Or some type of spacer or adapter is needed to grab the bike from the frame?

[s.tyler58]

I have the same questions as I'm wanting to buy a lift

 

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[videoarizona]

Does anyone use these on first gen bikes? I searched and only found posts about second gen bikes and the use of spacers or adapters. I realize the bike has a center stand but to use one of these can one just lift streight from the exhaust(doesn't seem like a great idea to me) as it sits lower than the frame? Or some type of spacer or adapter is needed to grab the bike from the frame?

 

I use the center stand for most of the work. Anything more needed in the rear, I take off the front wheel and let the front end "kneel down" while on the centerstand.

 

You could use a scoot lift, I would think just brace with 2x2's to clear exhaust. I haven't done it as haven't the need.

[gaj1917]

An ATV lift will work but never instilled a lot of confidence in me. There are a ton of "proper" motorcycle lifts available - just do a Google search. I bought a Kendon one (https://www.kendonusa.com/stand-up-motorcycle-lifts/). Works great for me.

[zagger]

Does anyone use these on first gen bikes? I searched and only found posts about second gen bikes and the use of spacers or adapters. I realize the bike has a center stand but to use one of these can one just lift streight from the exhaust(doesn't seem like a great idea to me) as it sits lower than the frame? Or some type of spacer or adapter is needed to grab the bike from the frame?

 

I built an adapter which can sit on a floor jack and reaches upward to the bike frame. It has been quite a few years and I cannot remember if I figured out the dimensions or got them from someone on this website. Either way, I guess it shouldn't be too difficult to take the main idea and come up with dimensions that work for you. Mine was built in a shop which had the ability to cut and weld steel. I figure that the welds were done in a shop because they look much nicer than mine!

zag

 

PS Sorry that the picture is upside down! I flipped it over, but when I inserted it, it became upside down again. I guess it is easiest for you to just stand on your head.

[BlueSky]

I brought this up a good while ago and I was told that folks like Puc lift the bike under the exhaust pipes. If you search for a thread on his trip a couple years ago, you will see a photo of Tweeks lifted this way. I don't want to lift mine that way. I thought about buying a HF table life but the jack fails quickly on those and new seals are unobtainable. I looked under my 89 and an adapter would be difficult to build. Maybe zagger will build one for us!

[Grez007]

Thanks to Zag for the pic of the adapter. I have the tools and resources to make something similar or i was considering something that bolts to the bike somehow and is permanent like some i have seen on second gen bikes. I'll have to put some thought into it and make it a winter project

[VanRiver]

I personally was looking to buy a motorcycle jack too as I'm getting too old and crippled to keep going up and down, on and off the floor everytime I forgot to grab a wrench......but last week I saw an ad for a used lift in my local classifieds. I was able to get it for $100 Canadian dollars! It's a cheap model from Harbour Freight but still for that price I couldn't go wrong.

 

But with that said it is big and bulky to store compared with a Jack.....and still a bit scary for me to raise 800lb + of a precious motorcycle up in the air, but I feel more secure with this then with the jack style (but that is just my personal opinion). This lift also has a removable trap door in the back for easy rear tire removal, but as you see from the picture the front tire needs to be locked in unless you put it on the center stand while on the lift which would be a 2 person job due to the additional height of the lift and the need to balance the heavy beast at the same time of engaging the center stand as the bike is 4-5inces higher than usual.....all of which would not be an issue using a jack instead. So there are pro's and con's for both Lift vs. Jack.

 

Keep your eyes open on Craigslist and you might find a deal on either a lift or jack.

 

Please excuse the extremely messy workshop area!

 

Edited September 8, 2017 by VanRiver