Topic: Jack Modification for SOHC4

[ekim98]

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. . . ..

That's what we needed, pictures and a good explaination of how to do it, Thanks

[Tim.]

That's the kind of thing I'll be likely making for my new lift.  Princess Auto (Canada) sells a neat new lift that I splurged on for myself (someone has to buy me a birthday present )  It lifts to about 30 inches I think, and leaves the area under the bike open - great for oil changes.  The platform is a square of rectangular tubing, so it's open under the engine.

Once I get my pipes on, I'll need an adaptor plate like what you've built.

[Tim.]

Oh, and so far as balance is concerned, I'd strongly suggest using tie-downs always with these jacks.  My XS650 was pretty well balanced, but like most, is a little nose heavy.  I used 4 tie downs securly positioned and pulled tight.  With the lift I'm using, I'm pretty confident that even if I removed the rear wheel altogether it would not tip the jack over.  Of course when removing wheels your jack is going to be just high enough to relieve pressure on the axle anyhow, so the front wheel would be on the ground.

[Steve F]

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

I don't have a center stand on the yellow bike.  With the other bike, it's not a problem (center stand).  So, I'll have to come up with a different frame adapter to use the jack.  I'll have to do this soon since I plan on taking off the front end for some P.M. and a new tire. I hate taking off the exhaust if I don't need to.

[heffay]

hope... i hate to be the bearer of bad news but the red version of your jack is the non-modifiable version.
it really is too bad that the gifter was unaware that they should have opted for the upgradeable yellow.  sorry about the bad luck.

[Tim.]

Yeah, those red jacks man, they're a PITA.  The Yellow was definitely the way to go.  Something about the compounds used to make the red paint make the jacks impossible to modify.

[Hope]

hope... i hate to be the bearer of bad news but the red version of your jack is the non-modifiable version.
it really is too bad that the gifter was unaware that they should have opted for the upgradeable yellow.  sorry about the bad luck.

Booo....  I was hoping for good news 

[Hope]

Still haven't modified my stand yet.  It is still like brand new.  Thought ya'll might find this interesting

Build your own motorcycle stand