Lifting Valk

[Shotgun]

I need to change my shock bushings.  Is it safe to lift the Valk with a jack on the engine or do I need some sort of adapter?  I have an adapter that I bought years ago....never used it because it didn't fit properly/

[Dr K]

They recommend a lift adapter for stability  if you have access to a chainfall or come along I haing mine I use straps and go around the frame next to the battery on both sides remove the seat and side covers first this works real good

[..]

http://www.herberts.org/wayne/valk/lowtechlift.htm

[dconstruct55]

Order a lift adapter from Mark T, a member of the forum. They are inexpensive and well built. It is attached to the bike so it is always available. Do a search and you will find hi easily.

[Gryphon Rider]

The problem with lifting on the engine is that the centre of gravity is slightly behind the back of the engine; a lift adapter allows you to lift farther back, although there is still more weight on the rear arm of the lift.

That being said, if I only had a jack but no adapter, I think a jack under the engine would take enough weight off of the shocks to allow them to be changed, as a large part of the mass behind the centre of gravity consists of the wheel, pumpkin, drive shaft, and swing arm.  I.e., if jacking under the engine allows the shocks to extend fully, then she shocks can be removed.  I would do the shocks one at a time, however.

I think you will need a spacer (e.g. a piece of 3/4" plywood) for a motorcycle/ATV lift to clear the headers so it's lifting on the engine, not the headers, and if you are lifting with a car jack definitely put a thick piece of wood between the lift and the engine to spread the load under the engine and prevent cracking the bottom of the engine.  Disclaimer:  I have not actually lifted my Valkyrie without an adapter, so consider my ideas a starting point, not a fully developed and safety-tested plan, and I have NOT considered the additional weight at the back of an Interstate.

[old2soon]

http://www.herberts.org/wayne/valk/lowtechlift.htm

             This as I had some left over lumber from another project. And the H/F yellow M/C lift. Some will say It's not needed But I use a couple of 1" ratchet straps to hold her down while on the lift. There are photos SOMEWHERE of someone using a floor jack to git their Valkyrie up to do work on it. Build the adapter or order from MarkT and invest in a M/C lift. BUT that's like My suggestion!  RIDE SAFE.

[Gavin_Sons]

I have lifted mine for years without a lift adapter.

[Shotgun]

Thanks for all the replies.  I bought a lift adapter about 15 years ago (forget who I bought it from but it is steel and painted red)  but I could never make it fit properly...….the left side support hit a bolt on the frame and the left side exhaust is in the way.  I like the low tech model.....should be able to whip one of those up pretty quickly.

[BigM]

Here is the one that most have now. i like it is there for when you may need it or want it. Light out of the way and wont fall off. Cant beat it for the bucks. Check the feedback of over 100t.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/170918265075

[RonW]

I bought a lift adapter about 15 years ago (forget who I bought it from but it is steel and painted red)  but I could never make it fit properly...….

• the left side support hit a bolt on the frame and the left side exhaust is in the way.

The left support is suppose to be an angle iron and fit around the nut, if we're talking about the same thing. Dunno about the muffler issue.

[3fan4life]

I bought a lift adapter about 15 years ago (forget who I bought it from but it is steel and painted red)  but I could never make it fit properly...….

• the left side support hit a bolt on the frame and the left side exhaust is in the way.

The left support is suppose to be an angle iron and fit around the nut, if we're talking about the same thing. Dunno about the muffler issue.

I have that same adapter, it has served me well over the years.

I have lifted the bike without it, but it is much more stable with it.

[..]

Here is the one that most have now. i like it is there for when you may need it or want it. Light out of the way and wont fall off. Cant beat it for the bucks. Check the feedback of over 100t.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/170918265075

 

[Shotgun]

That's the one I have.  It's almost as if the left side was welded out of position because I can't get it around that bolt no matter how I position it...…..pic to follow.

[h13man]

They recommend a lift adapter for stability  if you have access to a chainfall or come along I haing mine I use straps and go around the frame next to the battery on both sides remove the seat and side covers first this works real good

+1. I use a cherry picker/engine hoist exclusively and wheel chock for rear end service and jack stands on the front.

[BigM]

That's the one I have.  It's almost as if the left side was welded out of position because I can't get it around that bolt no matter how I position it...…..pic to follow.

That upright is for line up purpose only. Doesnt take the weight of the bike any. I had a Valk that had a centerstand on it at one time. The centerstand had twisted the crosssmember some. Heavy bike on that stand. One reason for taking it off. Because the crossmeber was bent made upright not line up exact. I cut the angle upright off adapter. Worked just fine after that.

[98valk]

I use a Larin motorcycle/atv lift with a piece of wood with an exact thickness of 3/4" inch on the rear lift flat bar. This lifts my tourer up perfectly level and stable. Most times I then strap the crash bar to the lift for zero movement. Zero need for a lift adapter. if just working on front end then I don't use the wood piece which brings the front end off the ground sooner without lifting the tourer higher than need be, but I still strap it down.

[carolinarider09]

Just for the record, I built my own lift adapter and use a motorcycle life/jack to lift the bike. 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/9ahysxfkvha9nd5/DSCF1410.JPG?dl=0

[Shotgun]

Made a low tech lift.....didn't cost me anything because I had it all in the garage.  It took about 30 minutes.  It works great.  Thanks all.

[9Ball]

I’ve changed my shocks without lifting the bike.  I put Progressive 440s on one at a time.  If you have a second pair of hands on a good helper they can lift the rear slightly just enough to line up the shock eyes to push the top onto the mount.

Just do one at a time...