Triumphrat

surfdogx

Guys,
I just got a new Sears Motorcycle Jack. Any hints on what to be cautious of when jacking our bonnies toward the sky? In this case 17.5" is the max without the 2" extensions. Came with tiedown straps, it weighs in at 90 Lbs. too. I mean besides what it says in the manual. For that matter how about my old 1966 BSA? Any rules of thumb? tricks, tips or otherwise will be appreciated.

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Joe surfdog Abramo

"And as we wind on down the Road, our Shadow's longer than our Soul"

the Mods are Listed on my WebPage: http://www.napaliprop.com/2008-T-100.html

CAPTDON

Got the same jack & its great!! USE THE SAFETY LEGS when up more than 2"!! Also keep the side stand down when she's up in the air. If she should happen to come down - will land upright. Use the jack (obviously) from the right side. Youre gonna wonder HOW you did w/o one before!!! No excuses for having dirty wheels now!!!

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CAPT D

oldroadie

Keep an eyeball on your oil filter so the lifting arms don't crush it.

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1964 Highway Trophy TR6SR
2004 Bonneville America

Keith G

If you just want to get the front off the ground for cleaning, a small (car type) bottle jack under the little square plate down on the front of the frame (in the middle, just in front of the filter) is very quick - a couple of pumps and *boink* the wheel's turning on it's own!! (Balance? Wot balance?)

Assuming you have a centre stand, of course and small square of wood/ply on top of the jack protects the metal, needless to say....

CAPTDON

Every body talks about "watch the oil filter". I use a 1358 & it is totally shielded by the frame of the bike! No way it could be hurt by the jack or anything else that is below the frame? I guess there are filters that extend below the frame rails?? Never had one on.

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CAPT D

Hedge

Great question Joe and very good answers that I hadn't really thought of. I also have the Sears Jack; Santa dropped it down my chimney! It is still sitting here in my office in the box sealed. I haven't opened it yet because it was winter and to many other things going on. But since you posted this thread I just became curious with how it works since I have never had a motorcycle jack before. I'm gonna take all those suggestions and put them to good use this season.

Joe - it looks like I might be coming to Hawaii in April or May. My wife wants to take me there for my 50th which commences on the 28th. Her sister has some cliff-side mansion on Oahu that we can use while she is in China with her husband. I'll PM you some info as this transpires.

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Proud to be an American Infidel!
http://www.thingsididilastnight.com/

Poopsmif

One thing I haven't used is the ratchet straps that come with it. Unless you're going to be removing a wheel or something I wouldn't. My only complaint would be that those straps connect to the (stationary) base, so that you can't even put them on till it's raised anyways.

Spectacular looking bike, by the way!

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"The Poopsmif is a good guy. He's just got a cwappy job."
'07 T100, no performance mods.

JKDJose

Use the ratchet straps, don't risk the bike falling.

It will fall if not strapped.

One strap is sufficient. I got lucky and had my friend catch the bike before it fell. The jack is great if you use it correctly.

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2007 Bonnie Black, M-Bars, NARK, 140 mains, 42 Pilots, Triumph City Bag Black, -20 mm Hagon Rear Shocks, Hagon Progressive Fork Springs

wallyworld

I have one of the Sears' lifts and it is great !

I slide it under the bike from the right while I'm sitting on the bike and seat the jack.

If you get just behind the oil filter (1"-2") the balance on the frame will be there. The trick is to park the jack perpendicular to the bike (90 degrees). This will eliminate any nerve-racking in-air wobble.

Usually I only lift the bike until the rear wheel clears the ground. Then cleaning/lubing the chain and cleaning the rim is a breeze. The front wheel can be rotated as well in this position.

Oil changes are still easiest on the side stand, though.

I have strapped the bike down, but it would be slicker if we could, as mentioned, secure the load before hoisting. I can't imagine rolling the jack around the garage with a 500lb bike strapped 18" in the air. Sheesh.

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2003 TBSM 790cc, TOR Shorts A9608027, 3557 ft+ (1084m) sea level, jetted w/2 shimms, 130 mains, 45 pilots, airbox mod/Uni filter, AI removed, 18-48 sprockets, D.I.D 530VMX120 Gold X-Ring chain.

Baltobonneville

If you remove the front wheel, the whole business will want to tilt back because it's rear-heavy. (I speak from experience with this.)

Take these precautions:

If you remove both wheels, remove the rear first and re-install the rear last.

If you only remove the front wheel, make sure that the rear wheel is supported on something.

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Marty
2005 Bonneville Blue 790cc, AI removed, Staintunes RC, Unifilter, no snorkel, 118/40/Thrux needle/1 shim/3 turns, tachometer, Ikon 7610s in back, Ricor Intiminators in front, Pirelli Sport Demons, D9 gauge panel.