lifting the Valk

[ckahler]

I'm used to working on bikes with center stands.
Is there a good way of getting the front or rear wheel off the ground for maintance without a motorcycle lift.?
Where are the jacking points on a 98 Valkyrie?
I do have a floor jack and wood boards, but don't see a safe way of doing it.
Thanks.

[Chrisj CMA]

You need a motorcycle lift to do it safely.

[Jess from VA]

I've seen a block and tackle rigged from the roof joists, but I prefer my lift.  Fifty bux or so at the auto parts store years ago.  And a home-made scrap-wood lift adapter. 

[Avanti]

I have lifted mine with an engine lift by removing the seat and lifting by the top of the frame.   

I also like using my center stand for doing any front end work. I have done rear end maintenance with my center stand but is a little more work due to the need to remove the rear fender.  If I back it up to a curb so it is on the center stand and over the curb I am able to remove rear wheel without removing the fender.

I have done all of these at home just in case I would need to repair as I am out traveling. So far I have not needed any repairs while traveling.

[Grey wolf oz]

I have lifted mine with an engine lift by removing the seat and lifting by the top of the frame.   

I also like using my center stand for doing any front end work. I have done rear end maintenance with my center stand but is a little more work due to the need to remove the rear fender.  If I back it up to a curb so it is on the center stand and over the curb I am able to remove rear wheel without removing the fender.

I have done all of these at home just in case I would need to repair as I am out traveling. So far I have not needed any repairs while traveling.

Center stand ,,,,,,,,


Mine is lacking in this department

What have you fitted ?

[Avanti]

I built my own several years ago. It can be deployed from either side. I prefer the right side.

[Grey wolf oz]

You need a motorcycle lift to do it safely.

I picked up a similar lift,, 

Had a hard time finding a balance point ,,,  any suggestions on correct placement

Thanks

Luke

[hubcapsc]

Had a hard time finding a balance point ,,,  any suggestions on correct placement

You need some kind of lift adapter. I like the one MarkT sells, he's a member here and a
Valkyrie specialty parts vendor...



There are other ones out there too, and people get by forever with home made
wooden ones...

-Mike

[Chrisj CMA]

Mike is right. The balance point is with the rear lifting arm a couple inches aft of the engine.

[Hook#3287]

Before I bought a hydraulic motorcycle lift, I used my car jack and 2 sets of jacks stands to lift the bike.

But she is a Tourer and has the rear guards under the bags.

I would start by putting the right front engine guard on a stand, then lean the bike to the right and put a stand under the left engine guard.  I could reach all while sitting on the bike.

Then while sitting on the bike I would lift the bike with the car jack under the engine and raise her a jack stand notch one at time.  Worked good and was stable.

Then I would lift the rear with the car jack under the swing arm and set the stands under the rear bags.

Reversed the procedure to get her down.

It's been over 20 years since I did it that way, but I kinda remember I had to remove the rear fender to get the rear tire off.   The front tire you can remove before lifting the rear of the bike, if I'm remembering it right.

Once I got my bike lift, I built this,

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

It takes some messing around to get it positioned just right when lifting, and I'm sure the attached metal ones are good quality, I just don't feel the need to carry extra frame and weight everywhere I go, just to make lifting easier once or twice a year.

[h13man]

I'm a engine lift, strap, and jack stand user as I have more control of it in the air. I also use locking wheel chock for front while lift/doing rear end service. I've got a MC jack but I'm not comfortable with 800 lbs. on it in air. So anybody need a MC jack? Comes in handy doing truck gas tanks.  

[0leman]

ditto on the jackstands under the crash bars.  Also helps if you need to leave the bike on the jack for several days. 

[Jess from VA]

ditto on the jackstands under the crash bars.  Also helps if you need to leave the bike on the jack for several days. 

Before I learned (to jack stand at least one forward engine guard), I had it up high to drop the rear wheel out from under the fender.  What was balanced before, was suddenly no longer balanced and the whole bike began to tip forward on the jack (rear car tire and wheel is a good deal of weight).  I grabbed it before it could go over (not much effort), but quite the surprise.      You only do that once. 

Never leave the bike sitting on the jack hydraulics (for long).  Once you get it where you want it, you set the notched safety bar on the jack in the closest groove, then gently let off the hydraulics and let the weight sit on the safety bar and not the hydraulics.  Some guys will stick a 2 X 4 through the scissor jack legs, and let it rest on that.

I do the same thing with the jack stand under an engine guard; let it down and capture the jack stand on the bike weight.  Now you can jump up and down on the bike and it's not going anywhere.  (but don't really do that)

[Grey wolf oz]

I built my own several years ago. It can be deployed from either side. I prefer the right side.

Nice there is probably a market for that !! 

[Grey wolf oz]

Had a hard time finding a balance point ,,,  any suggestions on correct placement

You need some kind of lift adapter. I like the one MarkT sells, he's a member here and a
Valkyrie specialty parts vendor...



There are other ones out there too, and people get by forever with home made
wooden ones...

-Mike

Good to Know

That rack is permanently bolted to the bike ?

The manual recommends this type of lifter but heck I had a hard time with it

[turtle254]

I built my own several years ago. It can be deployed from either side. I prefer the right side.

Nice there is probably a market for that !! 

I'm in !

[hubcapsc]

That rack is permanently bolted to the bike ?

It's holding on more like a tick than a bolt  but it
stays on the bike.

-Mike

[ckahler]

I ended up lifting the front of the bike using the engine guards.
With the bike on its kick stand, I slid an extended jack stand under the right guard, than jacked up the left side and slid a jack stand under the left guard. The front wheel is about 2" off the floor.
It seems very stable, and I can lift the rear wheel by jacking on a rear frame cross member.
I was about to spring for an e-bay ATV sissor jack, but for a once or twice a year job, this will do.

[Chrisj CMA]

I ended up lifting the front of the bike using the engine guards.
With the bike on its kick stand, I slid an extended jack stand under the right guard, than jacked up the left side and slid a jack stand under the left guard. The front wheel is about 2" off the floor.
It seems very stable, and I can lift the rear wheel by jacking on a rear frame cross member.
I was about to spring for an e-bay ATV sissor jack, but for a once or twice a year job, this will do.

Careful. That crossmember can be bent when supporting the whole weight of the bike. It’s really not designed for that.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I ended up lifting the front of the bike using the engine guards.
With the bike on its kick stand, I slid an extended jack stand under the right guard, than jacked up the left side and slid a jack stand under the left guard. The front wheel is about 2" off the floor.
It seems very stable, and I can lift the rear wheel by jacking on a rear frame cross member.
I was about to spring for an e-bay ATV sissor jack, but for a once or twice a year job, this will do.

Careful. That crossmember can be bent when supporting the whole weight of the bike. It’s really not designed for that.

Agreed. A regular motorcycle jack isn’t really that much. Well worth the money.

[RonW]

Careful. That crossmember can be bent when supporting the whole weight of the bike. It’s really not designed for that.

Is lifting under the engine a better option? I have to work on my kickstand.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Careful. That crossmember can be bent when supporting the whole weight of the bike. It’s really not designed for that.

Is lifting under the engine a better option? I have to work on my kickstand.

I would use some plywood or a board to spread out the pressure. 

[RonW]

good idea!

[ckahler]

I found I could jack up the rear on the swingarm, a couple inches in front of the rear tire.
 I like the wide foot print of a jack stand under both crash bars and one toward the rear of the bike.

[Jess from VA]

I haven't screwed up and had to lift the bike off the guards (laid over) for some years.

I'm trying real hard to not have to practice that particular maneuver anymore.   

[..]

I found I could jack up the rear on the swingarm, a couple inches in front of the rear tire.
 I like the wide foot print of a jack stand under both crash bars and one toward the rear of the bike.

Take another look at the wooden adapter.  It spreads the weight across a larger area.  Should be easier on the bike. 

Removing the rear wheel?  Read what Jess posted.  The lifted bike will balance a little better if the gas tank is near empty.  5 gallons of gas = 30 pounds.

You learn something new every day. I didn't know there was such a big difference between the 2 liquids.

A gallon of water is about 8 pounds.

[Chrisj CMA]

I’ve lifted my bike (as shown) with a full tank and empty tank and no tank. It makes no difference if you do it right with a tie down strap.

[RonW]

The engine guards are thinner gauge than you'd expect. I don't know the gauge of the horizontal arm (pictured below above). Btw, what's a good brand jack stand? Low enough to fit under the Valk's engine guards at it's lowest settings or almost. I'll only use them on the Valk. Also, are aluminum jack stands something to avoid?

[MarkT]

Here's a link over on Valkyrie Trader explaining with more pics, my lift adapter.  BTW, it's not heavy - under 4 lbs and yes it stays on the bike all the time so you have it there on the road if you need to lift the bike / change the tires / brakes / bearings.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1050687678319976/permalink/3487718787950174/?sale_post_id=3487718787950174