Doc Harley from the Service Clinic at Low Country Harley-Davidson to help you with the health of your motorcycle! Here he talks about different ways to lift your motorcycle when doing work at home and what he uses daily.
J&S jack for my ultra and heritage. Solid and safe for servicing and washing bikes. What I paid for motorcycles justified not trusting them on some cheap m/c jack. When using any jack you should use the safety latches then let pressure out of bottle so the weight is on safety latches and not the bottle. Never leave weight on just the bottle.
I’ve got an 11 fat bob then took in a 17 road king and I thought oh hell now what. Checked “the standards” watched a J&S in use then got it. WOW ! What ease in working safe and complete.
I use the J&S jack. I have a 2016 CVO Road Glide Ultra and it works unbelievably well. It works great for winter storage, cleaning and servicing. While the bike is on the lift, it is very secure and with the high quality wheels, the bike moves with ease.
In my 20's, I used that old school lift you started with in the video, for my Wide Glide. Thanks for the memories... We also had built 12" angle iron support feet with 1/2" diameter L-shaped steel rod welded to the angle. The height of the rod was the same as the height of the quick lever lift. The shovelheads had an open rear cross tube in the bottom of the frame you could slip the rods into then take it off the lift. Or install the right foot while on the jiffy stand, pick up the bike and put the weight on the right support foot, then slide in the left foot. Sort of a portable center stand.
First. Great video Doc. I got a J&S jack, works great for my Road King. I keep my bike stored on it for the winter , never had a problem. Best jack I could find for the money.
I absolutely agree !!!!!! I've owned three different motorcycle jacks and J&S jack is by far the best. J&S even offers a motorcycle dolly. Lift the bike with the jack and then slide the dolly under it. Remove the jack and you can move or even store the bike without the jack. J&S is the best !!!!!!!!!
@@progression_decibel Sorry for the delayed response. I would suggest calling J&S and make sure you get the correct jack to fit your bike.. Phone: 866-884-5586. Ask about the motorcycle dolly. Works great for moving the bike and storage.
The exact same Craftsman lift shown in the video. I have to put a cradle in so the lift will lift my Honda’s on the frame, not the exhaust. Works perfectly with the Vrod. I enjoy your videos! Thanks
Hello! I use the Craftsman Motorcycle lift and I always make sure it is locked in to prevent it from coming down. I used something similar to what you used 30 years ago. It was made out of aluminum, and it worked well on my 1972 Sprint SS. Didn't work well on my 1974 FX Super Glide. Enjoy your videos.
Great video as usual Sir.... Bought a “Harley-Davidson” branded “hand crank” lift *part number 94653-98 (manufactured for H-D by FULTON) from my H-D dealer when I bought my 2001 CVO Dyna Wide Glide II “Switchblade”. The lift has been my trusted friend thru 6 new H-D’s since November 2000 (still have ‘em all - it’s a disease). Very simple (hand crank worm gear inside heavy gauge steel tubing), but extremely heavy duty lift. I’ve completely disassembled 3 Harley’s using only this lift. It’ll lift a “Boss Hoss” with no problem. I’ve replaced all of the hardware (bolts & nuts) twice (with higher grade hardware) and the hard rubber top pads once. Still looks and works like new. They just don’t make ‘em like they used to.
Been thru most of the lifts you showed….Ended up with a Handy lift which I love and a flat jack to slide under the bike and lift the rear wheel when required…If I need to remove the front wheel I roll the bike up onto the Handy lift backwards and use the flat jack to raise the front…👊
Doc I am new to the motorcycle world only got about 3000 miles under my rear, but I do hope to get down there from Greenville to shake your hand. Love your videos. You have a teacher's heart.
The very first jack that I bought for my Harley was the Craftsman that you demonstrated with. It works great and there is still time that I still use it despite the fact that I have a large lift. About 10 years ago I bought a motorcycle lift from harbor freight tools. It was a foot pump that you used to lift the bike. It even had the rear panel so you could work on the rear of your bike. Not even 2 weeks after I bought that lift that a friend of mine made me an offer that I could not refuse. He had one of the air lift. It's one of the ones that you can pick up a trike with. He had a shop where he was working on bikes and decided to get out of it. He only asked me for $100 more than the harbor freight one. I also have one screw jack with the big flat steel on top of the jack and on the bottom. That also makes doing a lot of things easier especially on the left. What I do is store my Harley on my lift and rise it up and flip down the safety bar. That way if someone was to break into my garage they are going to have to turn on my air compressor and know how to use a lift. I enjoyed your video look forward to watching more.
I have the 2nd kind you showed. 1500 pound lift by Pittsburgh(Harbor Freight). Good for putting extra lights on and detailing solid chrome wheels on my HD Fatboy. It is shaky though, wouldn't trust it for too much more. And yes, I have to carefully stand bike up, off kickstand, so the lift will fit under the lean-side frame, then push the lift under bike with foot. Yep, quite the balancing act. Lift does store on bottom shelf, out of way. Doc, out of those 3 choices, I guess I got the one right for me.
Michael Butler use a descent size piece of wood about 4" tall - or a brick for your side stand. Then the jack will slide under easily. Keep the side stand down while in use. Using a brick or 4" piece of wood prior to lifting makes the bike more upright. Hence it's easier.
I watched this video figuring I would just get a laugh at some guy being paid to advertise something Harley specific or such. I gotta say I’m not a Harley guy but I completely appreciated this video for the fact you didn’t try to push a product on us viewers and just said to use common sense when buying a lift for the bike
I use both the floor jack style and full ramp lift, both harbor freight specials. Both feel very solid. My dyna i have to use wood blocks because of the guard on the frame, but it still works great. The ramp lift has a flimsy tire clamp that many people have upgraded but myself have had no issues with the original clamp when using straps. Both have a lock so if they bleed down it doesn't move and I've left bikes on them for weeks straight. Always use straps even if doing something simple that's quick.
I use a lift table a buddy made me. Tire lock is air fed with the old school car floor light button that triggers tire clamp to squeeze onto tire. Have 3/4” rubber inlay to protect wheel. It uses little cylinders to open and close. To release I have a arm coming up with a reverse air bleed to onlock wheel while I’m sitting on it. It also uses a atv winch to raise and lower lift. Also use a bike jack like 2nd jack you showed. 20 years ago I would lift back end of bike and set it on a 6” by 6” block.
I use a Pit Bull lift with the turntable for my '14 Limited. The hydraulic jack has leaked since day one, but fortunately it does have the three position stop to hold it in place. The turntable is great for detailing because you can spin the bike in place and not have any obstructions; it does require a lot of real estate to turn though. It's made in the U.S.A. except for the cheap jack.
I've got the Pittsburgh Automotive 1,500# motorcycle lift. Very solid and reliable. Worked great for me during my rear wheel removal project. Also fits fine under my 2" lowered Softail.
I use an OTC Stinger motorcycle lift. It works on the lowest Harley-Davidson and is rated at 1500 lbs. It easily lifts the largest Harley and has the safety lock Doc recommends in his video. I bought it from Amazon for about $180 three years ago. It is one of the most important tools in my garage.
I own several airlift tables with the removable rear plate and I would never exist without them. I built removable support to my reverse trikes so these tables are a must for me. Average cost is under $700 so it's a really affordable option. I would stay away from the Harbor Freight units however.
I use the Harbor Freight 1000 pound lift table f9r maintenance, and a craftsman jack for cleaning. Like the one you showed. The jack is great for cleaning, because you can rotate the wheels and swing the forks. I have a 900 pound FLHKSE.
Great video Doc. I have 1500 pound lift by Harbor Freight Pittsburgh. It has the lock to lock in place while the bike is up. In fact my Fat Boy has been up on it since before Christmas. Still there. I noticed one person who has the same kind of stand said it was shaky. I don't have that problem with mine. I can have the bike up and roll it around the garage with no problems. I really like the lift a lot. Would like to have a platform lift, but that would take up to much room in the garage.
I use the Craftsman lift for my 2008 Dyna Super Glide and its great. I did notice no locking pins, so I made modification to it to lock in place once raised. And I also strap it down as well. Thanks Doc!
I have the craftsman motorcycle jack like you showed only use it for washing the bike. I have a Harbor Freight lift table that I have done several mods to like air over hydraulic for the lift and a wheel chock like what your table has that i made for working in the bike i have had it a few years and I love it. Also use it to work on mine and my sons RZRs
Doc I use a setup like the old school version you demonstrated. I fabbed it together based on a picture in an ad in an old Easyriders. The handle rotates on mine so you can use it either side of the bike. Been using it for 22 years on my FXRP. Thanks for the video.
I made me a small under motor lift by bolting two flats of aluminum to, top an bottom, of scissors jack! I got idea from thick piece of metal perfect for small lift, but it was too thick metal to slide under bike well. So I changed a thinner metal an works fine. I added eye bolts an rope pulleys to ceiling rafters rope it into submission being by myself while on any jack.
Thanks Doc! Great video. Great info. This is the best video I have seen on motorcycle lifts. I'm looking forward to your next video. Thanks again, have a good week.
I learned my lesson: I used a small crank lift to raise the rear of my sportster to put new shocks on. the motorcycle started to fall off the jack towards the kick stand side. I only had the rear tire off the ground about two inches. So, since I had the kick stand down, it just leaned over onto the kick stand and everything was OK. But, I learned a big lesson about safety
Hey Doc, well for the old fay boy I have the same red craftsman lift like in the video....just barely clears...but works. Then when I service the Harley touring bikes I have an air table like in the video, that is awesome. When my buddies need to do an oil change or something they come over and pop their bikes right on the air table...life saver...That is actually where I leave the Road Glide in the garage, I just park it right on it. Thanks for another cool video Doc!!
Being that I don't have a garage I use your 30 year old method... but I made it out of a 2"x12"x8" cut in two and doubled up. With a steel 3/4 bar as a handle. It aint perfect, but does the job for the small things I do on my bike. Looking into a future Handy lift one day soon.
The "Pitt Bull Motorcycle Lift" made for the Dyna. After owning one for years I gifted one to my Son. I would recommend the new and improved bottle jack/foot pedal pump.
I made my first lift from a piece of railroad sleeper & a steel bar bolted to it. It was the same concept as the first lift shown & needed two people to raise or lower.
I have a 18 1200 Custom. And have a Craftsman Pro jack like in the video. Worked Great on the 750. However, I run into problems with the Jiffy Stand and Stop. Other type of Lift. The Scissor jack that will pick up front or rear.
Damn, I was hoping to see doc mention the service lift adapter kits Harley sells for the dynas to avoid damaging the oil pan / oil pan protector fin when jacking the bike up.
I have the HANDY lift with the side panels and what I did was cut out a rectangular area of concrete on the garage floor so that the surface of the lift could sit flush with the floor when fully down. Doesn’t get in the way nearly as much and nothing to stub the toe on. Of course you do lose a little of the height the lift rises to but the HANDY lift rises to 39” so the 6”-7” it’s set into the concrete is negligible.
I have a stand like the first one you showed, more modern with a shorter handle and the bike does come back well past centre so there is no chance it will be accidentally knocked off, i also have a wheel chock for the front wheel which i park the bike in because i am short of space in the garage. it is only a sportglide i have, so not as big as some tourers.
Great video Doc, Very informative and interesting. Considering buying a stand at the moment for my Street Glide so was good to learn from your experience. Keep up the good work. Kevin Sydney Australia
I have the second type you showed made by Craftsman. It works for my 2000XL1200C, I must have lucked out with my exhaust. It’s a Screaming Eagle set just above the frame. I don’t believe this one will work for my 2017 Ducati Desert Sled though....looking into one that goes into the frame from the side....probably gonna be expensive
I have one of the side lifts you used for my 14 Fattie and I made a metal ramp to raise the rear end by 2 inches to allow the lift to slide under and it works just find......
I have my wife lift my bike up and hold it while I work on it. If I’m going to be a while I give her a chair, and she holds it on her lap. The pro’s are you have an extra set of hands. The con’s are you have to listen to her.
Hell, I just wish I had a concrete floor to put a lift on! Sucks laying on the ground to do everything on my '08 FLHTCU...but, poor folks got poor ways...at least I've got a dry place to store it.
I have a motorcycle jack, like the Craftsman in the video, that came from Harbor Freight. Works great so far, I use a piece of 2x6 under the rear tire. I'm sure it may not last as long as "name" brand but its a lot friendlier on the wallet. My brother has a bike lift table. Together we can do about any project.
Thanks! I've been trying to figure out what to use on my heavyweight indian, the jack described in the owners manual doesn't seem to conform to reality!
I have a 2019 Harley Davidson low Rider I used to jack up my bike a 1100 pound motorcycle center scissor lift Jack hoist stand... I only could do one side at a time but it works very good
have the atv/motorcycle jack. Its hairy to use . Bet the feller who found his bike layed over never checked the pressure lock lever good. And no safety catch on mine either.
I still do it the Real Old School way get yourself a Log round about 18in long and 12 wide place in front of frame and roll bike up on log front of frame for fnt end work towards the back for rear end work .
Probably going to get a lift table this year I'm getting a bit Old at 71 yrs the body isn't the same , I've got a Springer Soft tail Evo I find it Heavy and hard to handle for me . Even though of getting and old Triumph what a Sacralidge ,LOL
I have had a Craftsman motorcycle jack for about 15yrs now works great on my Dresser and my Sportster. a little common sense go's a long way when using a Jack. I don't know what jack he is talking about leaking down over night and the bike falling over but most have locks or stops at least the Craftsman does so if the jack fails its still held in position. I did the neck bearings on my dresser about 14yrs ago using a Craftsman Jack and it sat on the jack for about a week and did not move an inch. I also have a Pro Cycle table lift bought it around the same time works great also saves your back the J&S motorcycle Jack is the best out there by far its just made for all types of Harleys
SAM 2 Handy Lift. The best. Industry standard. I'm too fuggin' old to be hunched over & laying on a creeper on the floor. I should have bought one 20 years ago anyway.
Doc I have a 97 883 1221 kit I use a motorcycle lift to raise mine it's rated for 1250 lbs. my Harley is only 578 lbs. does the trick fine I run LAF drag pipes 2 1/4" street shakers life fits nicely under my frame mine came from Habor freight store have owned it for 3yrs not a problem outta it and it still under warranty from them love your videos to, Now I got a service tech question for you what's the bust way to remove oxidation from aluminum lower leg's on my Sportster what's the best polish to use on aluminum to?
What's a good stand for the lower bikes? I have a 2017 Street Glide Special and its to low to get anything under it. Its hell trying to change the oil. I wish those full lifts came with a piece you can take out the center so you can get under it better when changing the oil.
if you use the other style clamp that has a bar to stop the front wheel it comes off and you can roll the front wheel out the front. much easier than rolling a bike backward onto the lift which is very difficult. and I'd rather just lift the bike up with a little scissor lift to get the tire out from under the fender than try to hold the wheel and remove the panel. or pull an axle out while the wheel is in the air. some of those harley wheels are 60+ lbs. so I view those drop out panel lifts useless. it's easier to lower the bike down to the wheel than it is to hold the wheel up and slide the axle in.
I have the Central Pneumatics motorcycle lift table from Harbor Freight, (the predecessor to the Pittsburgh) that came with the air/ hydraulic jack. After about 12 years of frequent use, the pneumatic pump gave out and I manually pumped it up for about a year. I eventually converted it to a hydraulic cylinder powered by an electric pump. It was a good lift. Now it's a great lift. I'm in the process of converting my other HF lift. Video on that one is forthcoming. Here's the link to the video on the mods I did. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-T6eHjhZNkXw.html
Good morning 🌅, Doc, I hope you are doing well, I am the guy with the Deuce in France, I am looking 👀 😂, at bike lifts, but they seem to be to short, what length do you recommend for a Deuce, as they are 95” inches or 2.450 mt , in length, regards , Deuce Dude, France.
People can also use a solid brick or a good piece of timber about 4" tall and 8" square and sit on their bike and slide this under your jiffy stand. Your bike will be more upright, and your lift will slide under easily without scratching paint. Also use a rubber style matte on the stand to stop paint damage when in use. Leave your jiffy stand "down " so when you lower the bike. It's already in place. And remember to use the piece of wood 4" tall or a solid brick for your jiffy stand.
I need to find a jack lift for an 05 Dyna Wide Glide Twin cam. I heard they made spacers but I just want a standard jack for tire removal and service Lowe’s has them they look like a Craftsman but no long bulky handle and easily to work around but still the damn twin cam Dyna shroud problem.
Excuse me. Each topic is chosen, produced by me. I choose what I know. Your experience and knowledge is vastly larger than mine. Please send me a link to your page so I can learn more…..Doc
@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson I guess the measure of integrity is the the possession of a youtube or social media channel. To be clear, I didn't call you stupid, I called you a shill. See also, your dealership mandated position on reusable oil filters versus Harley-Davidson branded products... To recap, your problem with them was (by time dedicated): That we're stupid - (unable to choose the correct filter) Incompetent and effete - (it's messy, changing own filter) And willfully uneducated - (the last 1/4 turn and metal shavings). My point was I don't hear master mechanics talk that way when discussing a technical question, but I do frequently hear Harley dealership techs condescend in such a manner when asked.
I enjoy your videos. I just came across you tonite. What motorcycle lift does your dealership have ? The one you showed prior to the trike life. . Thank You, . Frank
I have a Pit Bull lift with a turntable and it works well for detailing my bike. Owned it for about 7 years. The hydraulic jack that came on it has leaked down since I purchased it, but the locks hold it in place. Love the American made Pit Bull lift...the cheap foreign made jack that makes it work, not so much. Pit Bull's customer service is and always has been useless.
Hey Doc , I have one like the orange lift, it works great for servicing and taking the rear wheel off but haven’t had to remove the front wheel yet. Do you guys just back the bike in and tighten up the wheel vice.
I have two Dunwell jacks made in the good old USA 🇺🇸 Each one has 1400 Lb max lift. The first one I bought around 1993 at a motorcycle show in St.Louis, Mo it has steel wheels, I think it was their very first model. The second one is bigger and nicer has much better wheels rows easy and I bought it during Sturgis but in RapidCity at their booth at the Harley-Davidson dealership back around 2005. These are great jacks made very well but I believe they went out of business. Sad Though I will be in the market soon for a table lift as long as it’s made in the USA 🇺🇸
I have the Central Pneumatics motorcycle lift table from Harbor Freight, (the predecessor to the Pittsburgh) that came with the air/ hydraulic jack. After about 12 years of frequent use, the pneumatic pump gave out and I manually pumped it up for about a year. I eventually converted it to a hydraulic cylinder powered by an electric pump. It was a good lift. Now it's a great lift. I'm in the process of converting my other HF lift. Video on that one is forthcoming. Here's the link to the video on the mods I did. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-T6eHjhZNkXw.html