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[1abastarsmda]

In case anyone else is doing what I was doing, this should help.  Back when I had my Road King, there were a couple of tabs protruding from the bottom of the frame that allowed me just enough space in front of them to position the jack.  I always felt the bike felt unstable and it rocked forward and backward with the slightest touch.  When I got my SEUC, I positioned the jack in about the same place and still the same instability.  When I would jack up the bike, the front wheel would come off the ground first, and it would be pretty high up before the rear wheel finally got off the floor.

This morning, I decided to lower the bike back down and try moving the jack back a few more inches, since there are no obstructions under the frame on this bike.  Now front and rear tires leave the floor at the same time and it felt a lot more stable that way.  Then I wedged a 2 X 4 under the front of the front tire, and now the bike feels real stable on the Sears jack.  I'm glad I finally realized this, as I think I was headed for disaster the way I was positioning the jack previously.  I apparently had a lot more weight to the rear half of the jack than the front, and I'm lucky I didn't lose the bike off the jack.

Maybe I'm the only idiot to do this, but just in case, just a few inches made a huge difference in stability.

[Screamin]

Not a bad plan as they are very unstable on the jacks. I use concrete blocks under the tires and if it's going to be in the air awhile I use them under the jiffy stand as well. They're heavy and it's a PITA but the consequences of not supporting it are to dire to risk. We've had some here who left their rides unsupported on a jack overnight only to hear a loud crash in the middle of the night. Ugh.

[1abastarsmda]

Not a bad plan as they are very unstable on the jacks. I use concrete blocks under the tires and if it's going to be in the air awhile I use them under the jiffy stand as well. They're heavy and it's a PITA but the consequences of not supporting it are to dire to risk. We've had some here who left their rides unsupported on a jack overnight only to hear a loud crash in the middle of the night. Ugh.

You had to go and say that, didn't you...as I'm sitting here taking a break from cleaning with the bike sitting up on the jack.

[Screamin]

BTW, we were doing a quick thing on junior's bike the other day. Unbeknownst to me he raised his jiffy stand. As we let it down we had a closer call than we should of.  I leave my jiffy stand down when I'm working on it.

[1abastarsmda]

BTW, we were doing a quick thing on junior's bike the other day. Unbeknownst to me he raised his jiffy stand. As we let it down we had a closer call than we should of.  I leave my jiffy stand down when I'm working on it.

I pulled that stunt while I was sitting on the bike already.  I thought the jiffy stand was down, and once the bike started going, I got thrown head first into a cement block wall.  That was on my RK. 

I went and finished the rear wheel and left it down from the jack now.  All I have left are the saddlebags and inner fairing to be finished with a complete detail and wax.  I'm getting faster.  This is only day 2.  The last time it took me 3 days to do a complete detail and wax, and I did a better job this time.  This time I remembered to clean the bottom of the engine and to take off the side covers.  I hate to take it out again.  I don't want to get in dirty.

[grc]

BTW, we were doing a quick thing on junior's bike the other day. Unbeknownst to me he raised his jiffy stand. As we let it down we had a closer call than we should of.  I leave my jiffy stand down when I'm working on it.

I actually use a bungee cord to hold the jiffy stand in the full forward position any time the bike is on a lift.  Eliminates the close calls when your attention is on other things.

Jerry

[Screamin]

Good plan Jerry. Stand's not locked when it's in the air.

[JP]

In case anyone else is doing what I was doing, this should help.  Back when I had my Road King, there were a couple of tabs protruding from the bottom of the frame that allowed me just enough space in front of them to position the jack.  I always felt the bike felt unstable and it rocked forward and backward with the slightest touch.  When I got my SEUC, I positioned the jack in about the same place and still the same instability.  When I would jack up the bike, the front wheel would come off the ground first, and it would be pretty high up before the rear wheel finally got off the floor.

This morning, I decided to lower the bike back down and try moving the jack back a few more inches, since there are no obstructions under the frame on this bike.  Now front and rear tires leave the floor at the same time and it felt a lot more stable that way.  Then I wedged a 2 X 4 under the front of the front tire, and now the bike feels real stable on the Sears jack.  I'm glad I finally realized this, as I think I was headed for disaster the way I was positioning the jack previously.  I apparently had a lot more weight to the rear half of the jack than the front, and I'm lucky I didn't lose the bike off the jack.

Maybe I'm the only idiot to do this, but just in case, just a few inches made a huge difference in stability.

Which Jack? They have two, Steel and aluminum.

[fourstar]

I have the steel Sears jack and I think my SEUC is stable enough on it.  I always use the tie-downs along with the stabilizing screws and wheel locks, and I have left it up on the jack for a week and not lost it.   Am I living on borrowed time?

[Screamin]

Don't know for sure. I do know you've got about 40 grand balancing up in the air.

[JP]

I have the aluminum one. $190.00 very unstable.

[1abastarsmda]

Which Jack? They have two, Steel and aluminum.

I have the aluminum one, and it's definitely more stable now that I moved it back a few inches.

[RayG]

I purchased the steel red one first, I found I had to drive up on boards as I didn't have enough room to slide it under. I returned the red lift and purchased the yellow aluminum one last week at the Craftsman Tool sale for $159.00 and now I know just where to slide it in so it lifts evenly. I also use the straps and it is very solid. The bungee for the stand sound good as I'm always a little apprehensive when I drop her down as I'm usually alone. Good idea!

Thanks

Ray G.

[RickC]

I have the red steel Craftsman jack. It works pretty well. A little wobbly sometimes. I use the tie downs if it's going to be up more than a few minutes. Many times, I just left the bike enough to get the weight off the jiffy stand and have it up straight with the wheels still just touching the ground.

I agree that I don't like balance $40K on a jack stand. Maybe it's time for a J&S...

[Brinks]

I had the Sear Yellow and Aluminum jack and it scared the hell out of me, bike very unstable, even with straps!, so I returned it and bought a J&S, I couldn't be happier. The bike is solid like a rock on the jack with no straps. I can even get on and off of it while in the full up position without worry.

I can't see how you could go wrong with the J&S.