Topic: Jack Modification for SOHC4

[keiths]

Here is my solution for getting a std motorcycle jack to fit my CB350F. It seems quite stable but I strap it down after it is up.

[ElCheapo]

Now that is slick....

I will have to try that out for my jack. I really don't like the fact that the SOHC bikes are just wide enough to cause problems on a standard jack.

Thanks

[kuyarico]

Is it me or does it look like the bike is resting on the bottom of the engine instead of the frame in the last pic? I employed the 2 x 4 method, but had to remove the exhaust for my 550.

[keiths]

Your right kuyarico. The back of the bike is supported by the centerstand and the front is supported by the engine. The frame is at least 4 inches above the bottom of the engine. I've stored my bike on this jack the last two winters and haven't seen any problems. Even with the exhaust removed, I'd have a hard time getting any jack on the frame. Does the 550 frame sit below the engine?

[kuyarico]

I was able to get my 2 x 4's on the frame, but barely. I guess my main question should have been, is it safe to lift it by the engine? I'm afraid of causing oil leaks by placing unusual pressure on the bottom of the engine. I may just be a little paranoid.

[Steve F]

What do you people that have a 4into1 exhaust do when the pipe goes right through the front center of the frame to the right side (like in my avatar)?  There's no way I can see to block the frame without taking the pipes off.

[ProTeal55]

What do you people that have a 4into1 exhaust do when the pipe goes right through the front center of the frame to the right side (like in my avatar)?  There's no way I can see to block the frame without taking the pipes off.

Exhaust has to be removed...

[BobbyR]

I have the stock pipes and I have had no issues just using the jack as is. . The OEM pipes are really strong. 

[mwohlenhaus]

now that scared me because it seems like it would put undo stress on the spigots, or flanges whichever you have.  course when the idea was brought up to me I had made drags out of the factory pipes by cutting the muffler off at the weld.  So there was no support from a back mount.

[Al_Aaraaf]

What do you people that have a 4into1 exhaust do when the pipe goes right through the front center of the frame to the right side (like in my avatar)?  There's no way I can see to block the frame without taking the pipes off.

Exhaust has to be removed...

On my 550F I can get the bike up with 2x2s running parallel with the frame rails, just behind the overlap of the 4 into 1 exhaust. No weight is put on engine or exhaust.

[OLD GUY]

Hi. I have a 1975  CB750F with the original headers and after market muffler and I used two pieces of 2X4's with a vee notch cut in them standing on their sides and held in place with long
ties, drill a hole through them to run the ties through on the frame side (left side) it works very well for me. Cheers

[fuzzybutt]

there is a jack being sold on ebay with attatchments to get around the 4 into 1 pipe. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Motorcycle-ATV-Lift-Jack-Most-Features-Please-Read_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ34284QQihZ020QQitemZ300158470786QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

[Steve F]

there is a jack being sold on ebay with attatchments to get around the 4 into 1 pipe. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Motorcycle-ATV-Lift-Jack-Most-Features-Please-Read_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ34284QQihZ020QQitemZ300158470786QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

That's cool, but I doubt I would have the ground clearance to put that atop the jack.  Maybe there's a way to make those supports that come off the side of the jack so you wouldn't add any height to the thing? 

[mikedialect]

I'd be more than curious to find a real solution to NOT removing the exhaust on a 4-1.

[Hope]

I am bumping this old thread because I am looking for pics of more modifications to jack stands.  I want to modify the jack I got for Christmas to accommodate my 75 CB550K AND my 76 CB550F.

The pics shown of the jack modification in this thread show 2 to 4 exhaust (even though keiths says that he has an F).

I thought there was a thread with a LOT of pics of jack modifications but I couldn't find it.  Please help!  If you have modified your jack to accommodate both a K and an F, please post pics!!!

Here is what I am starting with: (but mine's red)...  actually, I may have the same one that keiths has!

If you can find the link to the other thread that has a lot of pictures of modifications, I would appreciate it.

[keiths]

Hi Hope,
This mod should work for your bikes as well as it has for my 350 with the stock 4 into 4 exhaust. The pics are of my CB350F and the wooden blocks support the engine and the center stand between the mufflers. Some have said that the exhaust will hold the bike up but why chance it? My mufflers hang down more on the right than on the left, so without the blocks the bike would be leaning a bit. If you want new pictures, I'll try to retake them.

[Steve F]

Hi Hope,
This mod should work for your bikes as well as it has for my 350 with the stock 4 into 4 exhaust. The pics are of my CB350F and the wooden blocks support the engine and the center stand between the mufflers. Some have said that the exhaust will hold the bike up but why chance it? My mufflers hang down more on the right than on the left, so without the blocks the bike would be leaning a bit. If you want new pictures, I'll try to retake them.

I think the problem she has encountered is the same problem that I have...the pipes run under the engine and then over to the right.  I haven't been able to come up with a solution to contact the frame but still clear the pipes    If I were to build a cradle of some kind to do that, then I wouldn't have any room to get the jack under the bike. 

[troppo]

What if you made up a plate with locating pins to keep it on the jack and some small posts of thick walled tube or RHS with a cut piece of tube (semi circular ) to pick up on the frame...
It would only need to be as deep as the exhaust is from the frame.
If you know how to weld it wouldnt be hard.
Cheers
Troppo

[Steve F]

A little off topic here, but when I place the bike on the lift, I can't seem to get to balance, and have to keep the front tire touching the ground.  Anyone else have this problem?

[Hope]

Please keep in mind that I want to mod my stand for both the F and the K.  I have a 4 to 2 on the K and a 4 to 1 on the F.

[keiths]

Hope,
I think I would start with a piece of cardboard. Cut it to fit under the flattest part of one bike, then trim it to fit the other bike. Now with a pattern to fit both bikes, transfer the shape to a piece of wood. Bolt the trimmed wood to the jack stand and you should be good to go.

Steve,
It sounds like your stand is too far back on the jack. Just an inch or two makes a huge difference when it comes to balance. Maybe if you tie the back of the bike down, it will not tip forward.

[Steve F]

Hope,
I think I would start with a piece of cardboard. Cut it to fit under the flattest part of one bike, then trim it to fit the other bike. Now with a pattern to fit both bikes, transfer the shape to a piece of wood. Bolt the trimmed wood to the jack stand and you should be good to go.

Steve,
It sounds like your stand is too far back on the jack. Just an inch or two makes a huge difference when it comes to balance. Maybe if you tie the back of the bike down, it will not tip forward.

I had the jack as far forward as I could go on the frame, and was almost on the radius of the down tubes!  Still, with the front tire/wheel mounted, it's nose-heavy.  The one and only time I tried using this lift was when the exhaust was off the bike.  Maybe with the exhaust on, it would balance out?  Or, I could try spacing the contact pads further apart, which would essentially move the aft frame contact further back. 

[troppo]

G`day Steve
Depending on what you want to do i guess you could make up a plate bolted to your jack that had an extended arm that would brace the bottom of the triple trees.
While this wouldnt fix the balance problem, it may help stabilise the bike.
Or you could keep it simple and jack the bike up as far as it will go with someone supporting the front and then put a milk crate or something under the front wheel and lower the bike so the crate takes the weight difference.
Cheers mate
Troppo

[ChippK8]

When do you really need a jack when you have a center stand?  I had to use jack to work on my shadow and GSXR that I had, but on my 750 I just put it on the center stand and never needed anything more.  I did have to do something similar with the blocks of wood to use a jack on my GSXR

[eurban]

Just noticing this thread now.  I made an adapter plate for my Craftsman jack to lift the bike using three points.  Adapter is a piece of 3/4" ply with two front cradles to lift forward on the left and right frame rails and one centered rear cradle to lift on the cross member above the center stand mount.  The cradles are made out of appropriately sized pieces of wood (rear is  chunk of 4x4, fronts are 2x4s cut to the correct height) with pieces of cut PVC pipe (lined with rubber) to securely cradle the frame tubes.  No way in hell I was going to lift my bike on its NOS 4-4 exhaust!  The bike is very stable on the lift with the three points of contact.  I do construction / carpentry for a living so the cutting and screwing together of the pieces was quick and easy (measuring, cutting, predrilling, counterboreing etc required.) I removed my center stand ages ago and needed a way of safely lifting the bike.  The stock centerstand would interfere with my rear cradle but there are other places that the cradle could be located. My adapter is just shallow enough the with the jack all the way lowered and the bike held straight up that the whole business will slide under.  Here's a pic of my 750 on the jack with the adapter plate. . . ..