Getting the phat lady on a lift 101

[Xtracho]

Now that she's nestled in her new home I want to do some required maintenance. Most notably the final drive service. According to the PO it has not been done. With 22K on the clock it's a no-brainer that it has to be done.

So, I have a Harbor Freight lift. You know...the yellow one.

Getting the 'Wing up is no problem with the center stand. But what about the technique of getting the Valk up there? I have the lift adapter. That came with the deal. So I'm interested in getting feedback from you folks about getting her safely up on the lift.

No room in the garage for a lift table. So that is out of the question.

Thanks in advance!   

[sandy]

Put the adapter under it and stand the bike up straight. Then roll the lift under and jack it up till the lift is supporting the bike. If need be, strap it to the lift bars and continue raising the lift. 

[Jess from VA]

I put the kickstand on a piece of 2 X 6, slide the lift under the bike, lay down and slide my wooden homemade adapter on top the lift and up into the two hardpoints, work the jack laying down just enough to get it snug up against the adapter to hardpoints, then stand up and foot pump it the rest of the way up. Choose your height for the job, then set the jack on the safety catch and let it down a bit so it's resting on the safety bar and not the hydraulics.  I usually use a jack stand under an engine guard too, if the bike is not all the way up, cause I do not use tie downs/ratchet straps.

Leave your kickstand out at all times..... nothing like finishing up, releasing the jack, and letting the bike fall over cause the kickstand is up.

[BF]

.....slide the lift under the bike,.........then stand up and foot pump it the rest of the way up. Choose your height for the job, then set the jack on the safety catch and let it down a bit so it's resting on the safety bar and not the hydraulics.  I usually use a jack stand under an engine guard too, if the bike is not all the way up, cause I do not use tie downs/ratchet straps.

Leave your kickstand out at all times..... nothing like finishing up, releasing the jack, and letting the bike fall over cause the kickstand is up.

Ditto the above.  I'll usually use an auto type jack stand (or two) under the front engine guards also.  They really make the bike stable while up on the lift. 

Your bike looks like it has the stock shocks on it.....I'd think that your lift should slid right under the bike no problem.  My Craftsman lift does (barely).....and I've got 11'5" shocks on mine. 

You might wanna pm ChrisJ in Crestview.  He's very versed on the rear-end service and he'll probably ride over to PC to lend a hand if asked.  Heck, I'll ride over if I can just to watch and learn if you do it after Isaac passes by.   

[custom1]

Also be careful of the bolt that the side stand spring is hooked to. Depending on the adapter and lift combo, you could hit it, or lift on it, and break it. I use a home made wood adapter. Not sure which one you have. There are a couple different ones. Can't remember if it was the adapter or the lift that was hitting it.... anyway be careful.

[Jess from VA]

Your bike looks like it has the stock shocks on it.....I'd think that your lift should slid right under the bike no problem.  My Craftsman lift does (barely).....and I've got 11'5" shocks on mine.

If this was to me...... yes I have 13" 440s on both, and the lift WILL slide right under, but my wood adapter will not easily slide under the bike and on top the lift into position, unless I shim up the kickstand first.

[pc shaun]

I live in PC and work in PCB.  Let me know if you need a hand with anything, or to go for a ride sometime.

[YoungPUP]

I use a floor jack ( the car kind) and jackstands using BigBF's (?) instructions.

[Jess from VA]

Getting the phat lady on a lift 101

Like this?

[Xtracho]

Getting the phat lady on a lift 101

Like this?

ROFLMAO....Jeez

[hueco]

Put the adapter under it and stand the bike up straight. Then roll the lift under and jack it up till the lift is supporting the bike. If need be, strap it to the lift bars and continue raising the lift. 

Yeah. What he said. Strap it down if it makes you feel better. I have my Valk up many a time without straps. Even taking rear tire off. Never a problem. Solid as a rock. If you are going to be jerking it around and moving it all over the shop. Strap it down.

[saddlesore]

I've been placing the adapter under the bike and hold it in place with a bent rod that's inserted in a hole on the bottom of the engine. The rod is bent like a "J " with the long end under the adapter. If adjusted right it should hold the adapter in place while you slide the jack under the bike.  I have a craftsman lift and it just fits without adding anything under the kickstand.  Once in place I start jacking the bike up and after a couple of pumps I tip the bike upright.
It took me a while to get get comfortable jacking a bike up and depending on the job I don't even strap it down.  Just be safe! If a Valkyrie fell on you it would really hurt you and you might put a scratch on the bike too.