Topic: Motorcycle jack

[kybushdr]

I have the red craftsman jack and two into one pipes, as I raise the jack it comes into contact with the pipes before the frame. Any suggestions I'm concerned about the weight of the bike being on the pipes especially since I plan to leave it up on the jack like a stand for the winter to keep the tires from flatspotting.  Thanks in advance,

Kentucky ken

[malcolmgb]

The centre stand should keep enough weight off the tyres to stop any flat spots, using a jack under the engine leaves the bike dangerously unbalanced on my 400 and since you don't tell us what bike you have, well............

[Geeto67]

wood blocks. common thing to have handy when using those jacks. remember to strap down the bike when it is up on the jack.

[kybushdr]

The bike is a 72 350f, glad to hear the center stand will be enough to protect the tires, their brand new.   I'm still a little confused about the pipes issue, use wooden blocks to try to make contact with the frame instead of the pipes?  or just jack it up and don't worry about the pipes being the contact point with the jack.

thanks

ken

[Elan]

The bike is a 72 350f, glad to hear the center stand will be enough to protect the tires, their brand new.   I'm still a little confused about the pipes issue, use wooden blocks to try to make contact with the frame instead of the pipes?  or just jack it up and don't worry about the pipes being the contact point with the jack.

thanks

ken

I definately would not keep the weight of the bike on the pipes!

[Geeto67]

The bike is a 72 350f, glad to hear the center stand will be enough to protect the tires, their brand new.   I'm still a little confused about the pipes issue, use wooden blocks to try to make contact with the frame instead of the pipes?  or just jack it up and don't worry about the pipes being the contact point with the jack.

thanks

ken

use wood blocks to make contact with the frame and lift. Put a rag over the top of the block if you like your frame paint. Don't allow it to rest on the pipes.

Center stand will hold the rear off the ground not the front, front will still get a flat spot. if you want you can have a buddy push down on the rear to lift the front and then put a jack stand under the front of the engine to hold both tires off the ground.  or you can just over inflate the tires and move the bike around once a month.

[neilc]

flat spot on tires will go away anyway once you ride the bike for a few miles and the tires warm up

[Rigid]

Lock that jack up to relieve pressure on the cylinder.  If you don't the bike lowers, straps loosen, bike falls over.  Don't ask how i know.

[kybushdr]

U guys are the best!  I'm new to this vintage bike stuff, I am getting a kick out of "piddling" with this ole baby I'm trying to bring back to safe riding condition. I fell for the looks of the Honda fours and since I only rode dirt bikes as a kid this bike has been a lot of fun for this old codger that rides around beautiful horse farms on two lane country roads, the beautiful 750 and 550 were just more bike than I needed.  Can't put a lot of time in the saddle without stiffening up, this little 350 is just the trick for a slow speed guy, so really comfortable.  If anyone can get to Kentucky to ride I sure can give you some spectacular routes to ride, no traffic, horses in the mist, stone stacked, fences, unspoiled river/bridge vistas in the birthplace of Lincoln

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Blue or Red?

[kybushdr]

Matador red, certainly not a museum piece but I have spent quite a bit of time sanding and tryin to cover up frame rust.  Will try to get a pic up, the amazing thing is that it runs so well without anything but a solid kick, always starts.  Wish I could keep it in the kitchen but the missus has me keep it in a dirt floor unheated stripping room, tough ole bike.

[camelman]

I've left my 350f on the pipes for long periods of time. In fact, that's the only way I lift it now. One of the craftsman jack arms contacts the oil pan and the other hits the pipes. I have Jardine 2-1 pipes on it that bolt to the head and frame. No leaks, no obvious strain...no problems. Figure the amount of force the pipes experience when lifting the bike probably isn't more than a hard bang when turning hard (and dragging) or during a minor tipover which doesn't seem to hurt these pipes either.

Still, a sidestand is the better option and is totally sufficient.

Camelman

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Matador red, certainly not a museum piece but I have spent quite a bit of time sanding and tryin to cover up frame rust.  Will try to get a pic up, the amazing thing is that it runs so well without anything but a solid kick, always starts.  Wish I could keep it in the kitchen but the missus has me keep it in a dirt floor unheated stripping room, tough ole bike.

Not the bike! You're from Taylorsville, you should understand the question  I can't help you if your answer is incorrect 

[Geeto67]

I've left my 350f on the pipes for long periods of time. In fact, that's the only way I lift it now. One of the craftsman jack arms contacts the oil pan and the other hits the pipes. I have Jardine 2-1 pipes on it that bolt to the head and frame. No leaks, no obvious strain...no problems. Figure the amount of force the pipes experience when lifting the bike probably isn't more than a hard bang when turning hard (and dragging) or during a minor tipover which doesn't seem to hurt these pipes either.

Yikes.

even if there isn't any apparent damage, there are proper ways to do things and things that can only be described as hackery....I'll let you decide where this falls.

[camelman]

It's easy to be scared of what you don't know. After four years of lifting my bike like this, i'm not worried about it any more.

[Geeto67]

I've watched plenty of noobs dent pipes and pop exhaust gaskets with these ATV stands. bikes were never meant to be lifted by their pipes. Just becasue it happens to be working for your specific curcumstances doesn't mean it is good advice for others. Maybe jardine made that specific pipe out of slightly thicker stock that day, maybe you just got a good one where all the tolerances are in your favor, who knows. still ain't the right way to do things.

[camelman]

This isn't a moral dilemna, it's lifting a motorcycle.