| Author | Message | ||
     Birdy |
Saw this and thought it might be the way to go. I know I'll need to make a cradle for my XB muffler to rest in but that's no big deal. I'm looking for something to get the bike off the floor to change tires and other stuff like that NOT to take to the track. BUT has anyone used one of these and is it a OK deal or do i have to spring for a set of PitBulls? http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_009501910 00P?vName=Automotive&cName=Tools+%26+Equipment&sNa me=Lift+Equipment | ||
| Spiderman |
just get these, http://www.americansportbike.com/shoponline/ccp0-p rodshow/5587.html designed for your bike and work tons better than a "Harley" jack... | ||
| Alchemy |
Yep, I got the Sears Professional (Aluminum) lift. I had to make the cradle from the template posted somewhere on this site. Used some 2x6s and tacked a piece of bicycle inner tube where the muffler rests on it. I am cautious when using it regarding stability. Be sure to line up the lift points on cradle. I think I was anxious to do the steering bearing adjustment and the lift allowed for easily having the front wheel off the ground. Only negative is that it is a bit big and takes up some space. Positive is that they are on sale sometimes and as close as most Sears stores. There was a heavier cheaper version that probably works as well but I opted for the lighter aluminum one. | ||
| Ratbuell |
+1 for the pitbulls. The under-chassis lift is fine for my FLHP, which has 2 parallel frame tubes and a flat bottom. No tip, flat lifting surface, no problems. Even if you built a muffler cradle...you'd be supporting it by a round piece. Round things roll, I'd be afraid of the bike shifting or tipping while you were torquing a fastener. Pitbulls are also dirt-simple to use. Hold bike straight up; put workstand in place under swingarm; lever handle down, bike goes up. Repeat for front fork lift. Wheels come out with no problems. No hydraulics to bleed down either. I left the FLHP overnight one night while waiting on parts, the lift bled down, the sidestand touched and tipped the bike as the lift kept deflating. I know...there's a lock...and I use it now but I still don't trust it. You think a bagger is hard to pick up if its laying on the ground? Try picking it up if the tank is the LOW point, and the wheels are pointing up because it's still partially on the jack surface! Good thing I could care less about the way that bike looks, LOL. Crash bars also help  But yeah, get the pitbulls. Right tool for the job. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I use this one:  I also use the cradle. The bike COULD tip over, but the friction of the muffler is enough to keep it from moving. I use straps for extra security, but I haven't had it move yet. I think I got mine on sale for like $80. | ||
| Metalstorm |
I have one just like Ft_bstd's. I've used it only once for the steering bearing check. I think that's the only thing I'll ever use it for since I prefer my front & rear stands. Ironically, because my bike is a cg, I had to lift the bike first just to have clearance for the floor jack to slide under. This involved getting the front tire on a 2x6 then lifting the rear with the rear stand while praying to the gods that the front tire stays put on the block. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
  I have one of those jacks which I use on my Harley. However, it is very difficult to get a Buell to be really stable on it, so I use "Pit Bull " type stands I bought cheap on eBay. When I need to change out forks or swing arm, a very rare occurrence, I use this muffler support I made out of scrap, often in conjunction with a wheel stand. Took me about an about an hour to build it. Bottom line: get the regular type of stands. The rear is the most important. You can always lift the front with some spare timber.  | ||
| Birdy |
Looks like you all think the Pittbull is the way to go so I guess I'll be on the phone to American Sport Bike next week. Thanks guys. | ||
| Dentfixer |
How many guys here use a professional lift table like from Handy Industries? It's the only way to go of you ask me. | ||
| Xbrfirebolt |
I bought the Harbor Freight 1200 lb lift. It's one of my favorite tools. I wish I would have gotten one years ago. It's so much nicer to be able to change oil/service standing up instead of on my hands and knees.  | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
The lifts are great. I love using my buddy Gerry's. Of course you need a place to put it, you need an air compressor to operate it, and you need about $560 to buy it. Then you still need some stands or jacks to lift the bike off the table if you want to remove wheels whilst it is on the table, which sort of brings us back to where we started :-). One thing you REALLY don't want is to have the bike fall off the table. It's a great thing to have if you can get a couple of guys to chip in on it, or if you work on several bikes a week, but us cheapskates will still be using a couple of stands in the driveway, if we have them, and an old upside down paint bucket to sit on.  | ||
| Chainsaw |
BUT has anyone used one of these and is it a OK deal or do i have to spring for a set of PitBulls? I have one, bought it for use on my HD, but it works ok with the XB. I do not have a cradle built for it, I use ratcheting tie down straps. I now have the Pit Bull Stand for the rear, and I use the Sears jack with the PB stand to raise the front without need of the straps for stability. I used this method when removing my forks. IMHO I think the PB stands are a better investment. You can get the bike off the ground in seconds without hassle, and they aren't in the way of the bolts you want to reach. I really should break down and buy the front stand too | ||
| Duff24 |
+1. All I use is the Craftsman lift with the rear swingarm stands and everything works great! No stability issues. |
