choosing a good lift (jack)

smitty901 · Apr 5th, 2008, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunderstruck

Smitty, I read the same reviews months ago before I bought my jack. The aluminum jack seems to fair a little better than the steel as far as likes and dislikes from customers. I think another problem was the unavailability of replacement parts. I'm very satisfied with mine to this point and stay well within the operating specs of the lift. Honestly, I believe that these jacks that are comparable in price are really not that different from each other as far as construction and durability.

Thanks for your input I will keep reading see what I find

smitty901 · Apr 6th, 2008, 10:11 AM

Has anyone tried the eagle OT 1545 lift.
I am considering this one over some of the others becasue it has a lower clerance and has longer skids. Straps also come with it not extra.
the other I am looking at cost less but looks ok is the Black widow
Lets beat the heck out of this one tell me what ya think I am ordeing one brand or another soon

Davidw2415 · Apr 6th, 2008, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glider

There are many available in the different price ranges. Some important things to look for is the size (length) of the lift pads and the bolts used in assembly. Some use grade 3 bolts which I don't think are a good choice being it will be holding 500-800 lbs of a bike on them. You can always upgrade the bolts with grade 8 which is a good safety idea if you buy the cheaper lifts.

The pads range in length from 14" to 17" and I like the longer ones on a quality lift over the short ones that would barely make it under the frame of a bike from side to side for obvious reasons.

Here's a list of the lifts available to shop from. Some have had problems with the sears lifts with the jack going bad.

Bike Lifts - Harley Davidson Community

Hey Glider, how can you tell what grade a bolt is? Just curious.

glider · Apr 6th, 2008, 10:34 AM

By the head markings, or in the case of allen bolts, it's usually stamped on the side of the head.

This will show you, especially the last link there.

Identifying Bolt grades - Harley Davidson Community

joyflyin · Apr 6th, 2008, 11:56 AM

Smitty, my husband picked up the Sears aluminum lift last month. He liked the looks of it much better than some of the others in the same price range. It came with 2 straps, the wheels were better quality, and I think he liked the way it locked, more options etc. Also, it had a one year warranty, where as the others we were looking at only had 90 days. We have also been lucky with Sears products, and if there was ever a problem, easy to work with.

I hope to use our lift tonight. I'll let you know.

Goshawk · Apr 6th, 2008, 03:04 PM

I bought the J&S lift. You just slide it under your bike while it is on the kickstand and lift. It needs no straps but I will throw one over when
changing wheels just for peace of mind. If a jack has a cross brace in the front of the lift bars it is no good. I've seen a friend monkey around
with a lift for 10 minutes trying to angle it in just right to avoid the kickstand. Also some so called motorcycle jacks are to high to slide under a bike.
The J&S may cost a bit more than some but it is a solid, easy to use for one person and the stability is excellent. I even use it on my lawn so I can work on my bike in the sun.

ProF · Apr 6th, 2008, 10:46 PM

I've got the Craftsman plain model, the red painted one. I got it several years ago and have used it many times with my 86 fxrs.
It's easy to maneuver around, but there is always a bit of an issue with sliding it enough forward to avoid the kickstand but not too far forward to be at the edge of the frame's upward curve. I never had a problem with it slipping. I've been comfortable removing both wheels at the same time with the bike on the lift. Also, the release tends to be jerky. It's a hydrolic, and the release is attached to a pedal. I find that I have to tap the pedal carefully to keep the bike from dropping like a stone.

Haven't tried it on the RG yet, but I'll surely check all bottom clearances first.

There's a lot to be said for the non-hydrolic jack lift. I'd think there'd be a lot more control when lowering the bike. Probably wouldn't be too hard to convert one to the other.

smitty901 · Apr 10th, 2008, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joyflyin

Smitty, my husband picked up the Sears aluminum lift last month. He liked the looks of it much better than some of the others in the same price range. It came with 2 straps, the wheels were better quality, and I think he liked the way it locked, more options etc. Also, it had a one year warranty, where as the others we were looking at only had 90 days. We have also been lucky with Sears products, and if there was ever a problem, easy to work with.

I hope to use our lift tonight. I'll let you know.

I picked up the same one today. The red cheaper one was not what I wanted.
Open the box read the book and jacked my FB up took 15 minutes from the time I opened the box. Took a couple minutes to figure out the height lock. Bike has been sitting jack for two hours now no problem. Like in the video you can shake the bike BUT the stands wheels do not move a bit of lift up.I was able to move my bike all over the garage with it on the stand with little work.
The Pro is also about 40 lbs. Pads are big enought it was no problem getting it balanced on the first try. Goes so low I could slide it under wuth a flat.
It is likly not as good as some of the other higher priced ones but looks like it will fit my needs.
Seemed like the best deal for what I wanted I had it shipped to outlet store so Paid no frieght.
This weekend I try it on the RG.
Fb has been sitting on the jack all night still right were I put it. The test goes on.

joyflyin · Apr 11th, 2008, 09:42 AM

Smitty, I finally used the lift jack, I liked it. Easy to use, I didn't move the bike, I was a little nervous since I was the only one there most of the time. We figured this jack would fit our needs. We only plan on doing general maintenance. Hubby is planning on getting a lift table for his shop soon so he can put the lawn mower's & 4 wheeler on ti too. We may advance from there.
I was pretty nervous using the jack by my self since I was unfamiliar with it, but I did fine. BTW, the nephew is doing much better, I'll send you an update this weekend. Thanks!

smitty901 · Apr 11th, 2008, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joyflyin

Smitty, I finally used the lift jack, I liked it. Easy to use, I didn't move the bike, I was a little nervous since I was the only one there most of the time. We figured this jack would fit our needs. We only plan on doing general maintenance. Hubby is planning on getting a lift table for his shop soon so he can put the lawn mower's & 4 wheeler on ti too. We may advance from there.
I was pretty nervous using the jack by my self since I was unfamiliar with it, but I did fine. BTW, the nephew is doing much better, I'll send you an update this weekend. Thanks!

I am not that big and I rolled the Fb all over the place. I doubt there is all that much difference between the weight of my FB and RG I just went out and got on the bike while on the stand.
I know thats not what they are for but I had to try it. So far so good.
Ok it's rained hard all day I was bored so I went out and tested the heck out of this jack.
I was able to get on and off it with out any care at all, I wheeled it on the jack full up all over between both garages, no madder how much I moved it around the jack wheels never left the ground.
Then I put on all my riding gear open garage door pointed bike and jack into the wind started it up and jumped on, rode about 50 mile without ever moving

Lifting and lower it could not be easyer
I know I'm sick nothing a good night sleep and some good weather won't fix
Good to hear he's doing ok most do well once they settle in.

Apr 6th, 2008, 10:11 AM	#12 (permalink)
smitty901 Moderators Ride: 2007 Road glide Join Date: Jan 1st, 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,416 My Mood:	Re: choosing a good lift (jack) Has anyone tried the eagle OT 1545 lift. I am considering this one over some of the others becasue it has a lower clerance and has longer skids. Straps also come with it not extra. the other I am looking at cost less but looks ok is the Black widow Lets beat the heck out of this one tell me what ya think I am ordeing one brand or another soon __________________ The Infantry leads the way

Apr 6th, 2008, 10:34 AM	#14 (permalink)
glider Community Liaison Ride: 07 Road King Classic Join Date: Jun 21st, 2007 Posts: 11,625 My Mood:	Re: choosing a good lift (jack) By the head markings, or in the case of allen bolts, it's usually stamped on the side of the head. This will show you, especially the last link there. Identifying Bolt grades - Harley Davidson Community __________________ Psssst! Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. click me!>>Self Help Information and Tips<< click me!

Apr 6th, 2008, 11:56 AM	#15 (permalink)
joyflyin Community Guru Ride: 2005 Deuce Join Date: Jan 5th, 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,837 My Mood:	Re: choosing a good lift (jack) Smitty, my husband picked up the Sears aluminum lift last month. He liked the looks of it much better than some of the others in the same price range. It came with 2 straps, the wheels were better quality, and I think he liked the way it locked, more options etc. Also, it had a one year warranty, where as the others we were looking at only had 90 days. We have also been lucky with Sears products, and if there was ever a problem, easy to work with. I hope to use our lift tonight. I'll let you know.

Apr 6th, 2008, 03:04 PM	#16 (permalink)
Goshawk Start The Engine Ride: 2007 1200 Roadster Join Date: Mar 28th, 2008 Location: Lakewood, Washington Posts: 43 My Mood:	Re: choosing a good lift (jack) I bought the J&S lift. You just slide it under your bike while it is on the kickstand and lift. It needs no straps but I will throw one over when changing wheels just for peace of mind. If a jack has a cross brace in the front of the lift bars it is no good. I've seen a friend monkey around with a lift for 10 minutes trying to angle it in just right to avoid the kickstand. Also some so called motorcycle jacks are to high to slide under a bike. The J&S may cost a bit more than some but it is a solid, easy to use for one person and the stability is excellent. I even use it on my lawn so I can work on my bike in the sun.

Apr 6th, 2008, 10:46 PM	#17 (permalink)
ProF Warming The Wheels Ride: '03 Road Glide Join Date: Mar 17th, 2008 Location: So. Cal. Posts: 137 My Mood:	Re: choosing a good lift (jack) I've got the Craftsman plain model, the red painted one. I got it several years ago and have used it many times with my 86 fxrs. It's easy to maneuver around, but there is always a bit of an issue with sliding it enough forward to avoid the kickstand but not too far forward to be at the edge of the frame's upward curve. I never had a problem with it slipping. I've been comfortable removing both wheels at the same time with the bike on the lift. Also, the release tends to be jerky. It's a hydrolic, and the release is attached to a pedal. I find that I have to tap the pedal carefully to keep the bike from dropping like a stone. Haven't tried it on the RG yet, but I'll surely check all bottom clearances first. There's a lot to be said for the non-hydrolic jack lift. I'd think there'd be a lot more control when lowering the bike. Probably wouldn't be too hard to convert one to the other. __________________ I doubt, therefore I might be.

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Apr 11th, 2008, 09:42 AM	#19 (permalink)
joyflyin Community Guru Ride: 2005 Deuce Join Date: Jan 5th, 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,837 My Mood:	Re: choosing a good lift (jack) Smitty, I finally used the lift jack, I liked it. Easy to use, I didn't move the bike, I was a little nervous since I was the only one there most of the time. We figured this jack would fit our needs. We only plan on doing general maintenance. Hubby is planning on getting a lift table for his shop soon so he can put the lawn mower's & 4 wheeler on ti too. We may advance from there. I was pretty nervous using the jack by my self since I was unfamiliar with it, but I did fine. BTW, the nephew is doing much better, I'll send you an update this weekend. Thanks!

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choosing a good lift (jack)

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