using a motorcycle lift / jack

[upjeeper]

are there any tricks to getting my bike up on a motorcycle lift / jack? I'm looking to pick up the craftsman one and wanted some advice.

Thanks!

[Ricky-D]

Using one of those many lift adapters is vitally important to safe lifting of the Valkyrie.

The lift adapter allows lifting the bike closer to the center of gravity since there is a greater percentage of the weight of the bike in the rear where the lift cannot safely be utilized.

***

[Cliff]

Using one of those many lift adapters is vitally important to safe lifting of the Valkyrie.

The lift adapter allows lifting the bike closer to the center of gravity since there is a greater percentage of the weight of the bike in the rear where the lift cannot safely be utilized.

***

+1     easy to find on Ebay.

[Joe Hummer]

Or you can make your own...

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

Joe

[ricoman]

I made the one shown in the link. Used wood and screws I already had-cost was zip.
Had a lift since 04 (the HD years)-can't imagine doing much to the bike without one.

[upjeeper]

cool deal. thanks all.

I picked up my yellow craftsman lift off craigslist today for $60 cash. so far it looks great!

are there any tricks to getting my bike onto this thing? start out on the side stand? always have a friends help?

[fudgie]

What I do is leave it on the stand. Slide the jack under it all the way towards rear of bike. I have 2-3/4" boards on mine to give it extra height from hitting the headers. Jack it up till it hits the bottom on the engine. Stand up and hold bike upright, use my foot to jack it. After its stable, few pumps, I look under and make sure its not hitting anything. Then I continue to jack. I never tie mine down and have been ruff enough that it never has fallen off, yet. I leave my stand out incase something happens, like last friday.  Make sure you use the catches on the lift if you leave it over night on the stand. This will help with the jack easing itself down over night and dumping your bike. Mine let down one night and woke to find it setting on the side stand. 

[BF]

Ya might wanna take it back and get the red one.  Before I bought mine, I looked at the yellow jack and thought it might be a little unstable.  I bought the red one and I'm happy with it.  

Found these vids on the tube.  This is what I'm talking about.......

Sears Yellow Jack 1	powered by Aeva

Sears Yellow Jack 2	powered by Aeva

Sears Yellow Jack 3	powered by Aeva

Even with the red jack (or most any other jack of this type) you can still get it to rock back and fourth like that.  

Use the straps that come with the jack...they'll help.  But for peace of mind, use a couple of automotive jackstands and prop them up under your Valk.  It'll be rock solid like that.  



You also asked for tips when raising the bike on your jack.  Having a friend to help isn't neccessary, but it's always a good idea to have someone standing by just in case.  I lift my Valk all the time by myself....nothing to it.  

Like others have said, you'll HAVE to have an adapter (do NOT lift your Valk without one)....whether home made or one from Ebay.  There are two versions sold on Ebay.  One mounts and stays mounted to the bike, and the other one you take on and off whenever you need to lift it.  

Some people don't like the red temporary lift adapter saying it's too hard to mount it by yourself.  I have one of those and don't think so.  I can put it on the bike fairly easily.  It's personal choice...get the one you think you'll like better.  

Once you have your adapter mounted, put your jack under the bike, center it to the adapter, then start to slowly raise the bike off of it's side stand.  Keep one hand on the throttle grip so as to guide the bike to it's upright position while slowly raising the bike.  It will find it's  upright/center.  Just go slow and easy.  It won't fall over on you.  

Raise the bike as high as you need it (it can be raised pretty high if need be) and support it with those car stands then strap it down to the lift with the included straps that come with the Craftsman jacks/lifts.  

You're done.  Good luck.
  

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

Alway use the safety lock that keep it from going down. I also had one bleeddown overnight and the 4wheeler I was working on at the time was sitting on it's frame. I was sure glad the valk was not on it at the time. If you also screw the jackbolts down to make good contact with the floor the jack will be more stable. If your's has a foot release you can limit the rate of decent by making a bracket out of some strap and a carriage bolt with a locknut so no matter how hard you push on the pedal the bike comes down slow and easy. It makes putting an axle back in by yourself a piece of cake.

[Hoser]

If using the lift adapter that hooks to the bike, do not forget to remove it before riding!  It happens a lot.  If it falls and the rear tire runs over it nothing good can happen.  I always put a tag on the key that says "TAKE THE ADAPTER OFF DUMMY!  Works very well.    Hoser

[BF]

Ditto what Hoser said.  Take the lift adapter OFF before riding away.  Don't ask how I know.   

[Black Dog]

One other word of caution, from experience... 

If you remove one or both wheels, ALWAYS use the straps to be sure the bike is secure.  I had my bike up high enough to remove both wheels, with the locking bars in place, and thought it was well balanced (took both wheels in to have new tires mounted)...  Came out to the shop, next morning, and she had tilted to the front, and was resting on the bottom of each fork leg, and about 1" of the adapter was still on the forward part of the lift...  1" from a major disaster 

I got lucky that time.

Black Dog

[NordicValk]

Bought mine on E-Bay and couldn't be happier. Bolts on quick and is very stable.

                                                                               Mark

[John J]

Just one other piece of advice on this subject - make sure the handlebars are turned fully left when lowering the bike. Sounds obvious but I forgot one time and they were to the right and the bike tried to fall towards me.

[Spirited-6]

Just one other piece of advice on this subject - make sure the handlebars are turned fully left when lowering the bike. Sounds obvious but I forgot one time and they were to the right and the bike tried to fall towards me.

PLUS me on this ! And let the bike down VERY slowly and it will lean to the left. Don`t for get to have side stand down.

[reddog]

what's the best, and safest, method of mounting the "leave on" type mount? I purchased the ebay kind which mounts on the kickstand bolts. Can't figure a safr method of holding the bike up to remove the necessary bolts. Thanks!