Regular automotive jack

[cogsman]

Hi All,

I've been reading about jack adapters on the site. I used to have one but it cracked and I removed it. Don't feel like spending another 100 bucks on a replacement. I saw that there are specs on building the "low tech" variety. All the pics show that it is lifted with a dual arm jack.

Question: can a regular car jack, like a Torin, be used to lift the bike safely and steadily in any way in conjunction with using one of the low-tech wooden adapters? My garage is small enough already, I'd rather only keep the one jack if I could to use for both cars + bike.

Thoughts?

[Gryphon Rider]

No.  The lifting point, being only 4 or 5 inches in diameter, is not stable enough, not is the 8-10 inch wheel spacing on the floor.  I suppose you could rig something with the front wheel strapped down in a wheel chock with a stable base, but, as you say, your garage is small enough already.  I have only used a "low-tech" jack adapter (made with 3/4" plywood, 2x4s, and 2x2s) since buying my Valk in 2001, but have only used it with a proper motorcycle lift with a wide base and wide lifting platform.  You best option is to downsize your wife's car to make room for a proper motorcycle lift. 

[cogsman]

But I've already insisted she drive a Lada.... 

[cogsman]

Gryphon Rider, did you build your adapter from an online plan that you could point me to? I've seen several designs and would like to know which design you went with.

[..]

Gryphon Rider, did you build your adapter from an online plan that you could point me to? I've seen several designs and would like to know which design you went with.

Measure twice. Cut once

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

[Jess from VA]

I used the last one in that link.  Over ten years of use on two bikes, and dirty but working fine.

Using one-by for the base (which just gets squeezed between the jack and motor) is easier to slide under the bike and over the jack than a two-by base adapter.  Two-by strength is not necessary.  I used simple soft pine for my one-by base, but did use pressure treat uprights for strength.

You do need a bike jack.  And you do need to shim the kickstand up with a 2X4 to easily slide the jack and adapter underneath.  And leave the kickstand out, so when you let it down the bike doesn't fall over.

If you are going to be yanking on wrenches hard, use this setup together with a single jackstand under one of the engine guards (let the jack down so the jack stand is solidly captured, and use the jack safety bar) .  Then the bike is rock solid.      

[cogsman]

Great advice from all. I will take it. Thanks and ride safe!

[MarkT]

Alternatively, for those who don't want to DIY, a lightweight, easy install, discrete, cantilever, strong adapter that is always with you so you can lift your bike on a road trip, for Valks with or without a belly tank, to wit:  http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,105040.0.html