Got a CM Motorcycle jack which works great to get the front wheel off the ground. But, can't get the jack positioned to lift the whole bike -- functional stuff gets in the way of the frame. Thought about building some time of support to fit up against the frame, but not much room. Anyone work this out??

On my lift, I needed to put a 12" long piece of 1"x6" wood between the arms of the lift. Center the lift arms (with the wood on top of the arms) directly between those 2 sideways support brackets under the lower part of the frame.

The jack will slide into the right side of the bike up to the kickstand. Don't push the jack with the piece of wood past where the wood hits the bottom of the kickstand or the bike won't come off the ground level.

When you start jacking the bike up, pull just a little on the right handlebar, and the bike will pivot a little and come straight up.

You should use a tie-down strap around the bike. It will stabilize the bike better fore and aft.

Turbota: will try that...

I have a hugger which is a little lower to the ground in the frame. I need to roll it up onto a couple 2x6's just to get the frame up enough to get the jack under the bike.

As far as the kickstand goes, I removed three of the braces in the jack with an angle grinder. A sporty is pretty light and it doesn't seem to care that they are gone. With this setup I can sit on the seat... roll the bike up on the 2x6's... then position the jack with my left foot and start lifting... one person job.

When I did the cutting I figured I could re-weld the braces in a more suitable place if needed, but it works great as is.

http://home.twcny.rr.com/embedded/pictures/craftsman1.jpg

http://home.twcny.rr.com/embedded/pictures/craftsman2.jpg

Gazza

On my 05 the center of balance is a lot farther back than yours -- all the way on the other end of the frame - as it were.

On my 05 the center of balance is a lot farther back than yours -- all the way on the other end of the frame - as it were.hmm thats neat I guess... maybe you just have heavier air in your back tire :D

Gazza

Yeah -- I have an 05 1200C, and the center brace appears way further back...

Daesdaemar it won't hurt the functionality of the jack if you cut the parts that Gary has shown in his pic. I've got a jack I got at Pep Boys and while it's not designed exactly like the craftsman, it's very similar. I had to cut parts from it to fit it under the bike. As he mentioned, hang onto the bike and kind of tilt it toward you while sliding the jack underneath. It does have to go under in just thr right spot in order to lift the front or the rear, and the kickstand does sometimes get in the way. I have to get on eye level under there to get it right but I paid diddly for the jack so I'm not complaining, just explaining. :) You'll get the hang of it after you've used your jack a few times.

I slide mine in just behind the jiffy stand from the right side, then sittng on the bike, bring it upright and slide the lift the rest of the way under. Then while still straddling the bike, I pump the lift until it's steady, then get off and raise to the desired level and strap it down.

Or you could just get a "Larin" motorcycle jack that only stands 2" tall that slides right under the sporty without having to do any of the 'tricks' that are listed above......

I slide my Craftsman lift in from the right side and position the right side pad just ahead of the jiffy stand. I pull the bike upright using the throttle side of the handlebar and pump the jack with my foot. I can vary the positioning slightly and balance the bike with both wheels off the ground or bias the center of lift to favor either end. Mine is a Roadster, so the front end (dual discs) is probably heavier. But it works for me without any modification.

Kim

I just bought the Craftsman jack yesterday. I had no probs using it on mt 05 883c. I just did like some of the others did and slide it under on the opposite side of the kick stand. It seem to work pretty well. For anyone interested in the jack, Sears has it on sale for $79.99. And if you go online, it's $69.99, but you have to buy it online and pick it up in the store to get it for that price. Here's the link....http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00950190000

I got one from Harbor Freight. The only trouble I had with it was when I changed the jiffystand, it took some manuevering to get it in a position where I could still get the jiffy on and off.

I'm curious does anyone NOT strap their scooter down? I only saw one comment about strapping. I'm afraid the bike would fall off without straps.

TIA,

Or you could just get a "Larin" motorcycle jack that only stands 2" tall that slides right under the sporty without having to do any of the 'tricks' that are listed above......

Have to agree here....Got the Larin for 50.00 at Tractor Supply...

Slides right in....

I made these wood adpaters for my Craftsman lift.
I slide it from the right, muffler side.
You just have to be careful about that one electrical
connector under the bike. I move it back as far as I can
for better balance but always use a tie down.

Or you could just get a "Larin" motorcycle jack that only stands 2" tall that slides right under the sporty without having to do any of the 'tricks' that are listed above......That looks pretty much the same as the craftsman jack. Has the same pieces that tend to get all twisted up in the jiffy stand.

Larin Jack:
http://www.larincorp.com/images/products/LATV_J.jpg

Gazza

decman ....

Nice design!

With the piece of 1"x6" wood I use, the bike is not super stable because it is really only resting on the 2 sideways supports under the frame tubes and not the actual frame tubes themselves ... Those cutouts you made into your piece of wood gives those supports something to fit up into and puts all the weight of the bike along the lower frame tubes ... Good Idea!

That looks pretty much the same as the craftsman jack. Has the same pieces that tend to get all twisted up in the jiffy stand.

Larin Jack:
http://www.larincorp.com/images/products/LATV_J.jpg

Gazza

Nope...that's not the Larin I have.....the one I have has pivot mounts that can screw up and down...as well as move from center to about 2 " out...The nice part about this lift is that the lift points are so adjustable....

It also has outriggers...

I'm gonna post a few pics in a few minutes....I guess I got lucky...

50.00!!!!

Here's mine:

Larin MAL-2C
1500 lb. motorcycle/atv lift
Manufactured in '04...bought new this year...

That one looks nice.

Gazza

I see now....

http://www.motorcyclejacks.com/adapter.shtml

I got the "universal adapter" with mine for my 50.00....sweet! ;)

JPsLastStand which is real similar in design to "Stevo's" (except it is stainless steel) is a nice stand also for mantainance and washing and long term storage. I just shove it right under the E-Glide or Sporty and lift it in less than 10 seconds. No screwing around with it either, same as the "Larin".

ONe more thang, all motorcycle lifts look similar......The fact the "Larin" lift stands just 2" tall makes a big difference. Especially if your scoot has been lowered. The adapter plate that comes with the "Larin" jack makes the item more useful than just a motorcycle lift. I've lifted ATV's, engines, all sorts of shit. The adapter plate has rubber coated adjustable brackets that allow adjustments in all directions. The 'outriggers' add stability.
A lot of the jacks I looked at before buying my "Larin" stood at least 4" to 5" tall. Way too tall to slide under a scoot but probably good for a "Hummer". :smoke

ARGGH!!! Working by myself, I spent over an hour and was not successful getting my bike on the yellow and silver Craftsman jack. I tried it from both sides and the jiffy stand seems to always be in the way. It is a bit better coming in from the exhaust side, but it didn't seem stable enough to hop off and strap it down. The jack wasn't under it very far so even strapped down I think it could fall over towards the jiffy stand. I tried it with and without the lift booster bars on the jack arms. What sucks is I can't see what is going on underneath because of sitting on it.

Scott...
I have a couple of pieces of wood I set on top of the jack pads. I get down on my knees and guide the jack under where I want it to be, then give the foot pedal a couple of pumps to get the jack up. Then I stand and use my foot to pump it to the height I want. I also strap the bike down once I'm where I want to be. The blocks of wood are to clear the exhaust pipes. I have had it up many times, including a couple of days while the rear tire was being replaced. I did use the lock bar to make sure the jack was not under pressure.
I basically have had no problems or issues. Have you tried something to help clear the pipes? Do you have some other issue underneath that may present a problem?

I have the red and black craftsman jack. I noticed the bike doesent fit on the jack that great either. What I did was to position the jack under the bike from the exhaust side, so the hole in the rubber pad on the left side of the jack fits up and kind of goes around the rubber nub that your kickstand bangs against when you kick it up. This was the best way I found. Also, be sure to strap it down!!! When its strapped down securly, its really suported well. I hope this makes sense. Good luck.

POP

Make sure you dont squash your wireing harness when you lift the bike!!

Now all I need to do is find the miniature
version for the '07 883L. Damn bike drags
the frame goin' over pavement snakes...
(but it's nice bein' able to stretch your legs
so far out at the stop light)

:-)
-W

Thank you for the suggestions. Maybe a helper can hold it upright while I crawl around and work it out.

"Oh Dear, ..."

:D

Scott...
I have a couple of pieces of wood I set on top of the jack pads. I get down on my knees and guide the jack under where I want it to be, then give the foot pedal a couple of pumps to get the jack up. Then I stand and use my foot to pump it to the height I want. I also strap the bike down once I'm where I want to be. The blocks of wood are to clear the exhaust pipes. I have had it up many times, including a couple of days while the rear tire was being replaced. I did use the lock bar to make sure the jack was not under pressure.
I basically have had no problems or issues. Have you tried something to help clear the pipes? Do you have some other issue underneath that may present a problem?
this is the method i use. can't imagine why you would be sitting on the bike and trying to jack it up at the same time. my scoot has been on the jack all winter with no problems and i only strap it down to get on it(trying to find the best position for a solo seat)

I have the red and black craftsman jack. I noticed the bike doesent fit on the jack that great either. What I did was to position the jack under the bike from the exhaust side, so the hole in the rubber pad on the left side of the jack fits up and kind of goes around the rubber nub that your kickstand bangs against when you kick it up. This was the best way I found. Also, be sure to strap it down!!! When its strapped down securly, its really suported well. I hope this makes sense. Good luck.

POP

Make sure you dont squash your wireing harness when you lift the bike!!


Pretty much the same way I do my '06 1200C. I don't have much of a problem. Very secure. Of course this can all be avoided if you have a little more money for the Craftsman Professional motorcycle jack. It runs about $130, but has a much beefier jack system, and sits about 2.5 inches lower than the standard jack we are talking about here. Some day i will pick one up, but for now the standard Craftsman works fine for me.

http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/23/23013/folders/95596/2124628lift002.jpg

http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/23/23013/folders/95596/2124626lift003.jpg

http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/23/23013/folders/95596/2124627lift004.jpg

Wow, such drama.

I added 2 1x1 x 6 lengths of aluminum tube to my lift. Short enough to clear everything outboard of the frame. I have attached a drawing. Depending on your exhaust etc. you may need to make them taller or whatever. If you are having problems exactly where you need clearance, use a 2 x 4 and place it under the bike so you can measure what hangs down.

Put the jack part way under with the bike on the jiffy stand. When you get it this far, stand the bike vertical (not with you on it - that makes it lower) and slide the jack the rest of the way under.

If your Sporty is too low, then you can take a three 2x6's (cut about 2 feet long). Place two of the pieces of wood in front of each tire, roll your bike on them, then flip down the jiffy stand and place the third 2 x 6 under it.

Now slide the jack under.

I have the same bike, and the yellow craftsman jack. if you put it up on the right side it go's up real nice. but the left side the jiffy stand get in the way. also if you have the yellow jack it's a two tier jack. so you can take the top 2 flats off and the jack would be lower.

this is the method i use. can't imagine why you would be sitting on the bike and trying to jack it up at the same time. my scoot has been on the jack all winter with no problems and i only strap it down to get on it(trying to find the best position for a solo seat)


I'm not really sitting on it as much as straddling it to make sure it's steady while positioning the jack and starting to lift it. I was trying to get it centered on the jack pads. If it didn't feel tippy, then I would hop off and finish jacking/strapping it down. There will be time to look into it further tonight and this weekend.