View Full Version : Lifting the ST
jimkirjr
09-05-2006, 09:25 PM
I know this was asked before but I can not seem to find it. What type of jack do you guys use to lift the ST.A friend gave me a jack he used with his Harley when he had one.(I think it was standard equipment with the bike).The part the bike would sit on was all steel and I did not want to smash the pan or any plastic so I sold the jack. I will shortley be needing new tires and I would like to take them off myself so I would like to know where you guys are placing the jack so as not to damage anything. Also what type of jack are you using.(sears has one with rubber lifting pads anyone use this one)
Any help would be appreciated:biker:
HankSTer
09-05-2006, 09:38 PM
Jim,
I havent' had to do this yet with the ST, but did with my VFR. So, I havent' looked in the manual yet, but I'd bet it's the same as the VFR, so take a block of wood and a scissors jack, put them under the oil pan, towards the front.
while the bike is on the center stand, and the jack is under the oil pan, should be able to have both wheels off.
hopefully others will chime in and verify this, regards, Hank
I know this was asked before but I can not seem to find it. What type of jack do you guys use to lift the ST.A friend gave me a jack he used with his Harley when he had one.(I think it was standard equipment with the bike).The part the bike would sit on was all steel and I did not want to smash the pan or any plastic so I sold the jack. I will shortley be needing new tires and I would like to take them off myself so I would like to know where you guys are placing the jack so as not to damage anything. Also what type of jack are you using.(sears has one with rubber lifting pads anyone use this one)
Any help would be appreciated:biker:
Ditto on the above, although I use one of these.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/02700-02799/02792.gif
willd
09-06-2006, 11:23 AM
Ditto on the above, although I use one of these.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/02700-02799/02792.gif
Mac I'm guessing you don't have any pics of the bike on said Jack would you?
I'd be interested to see pics of how everything looks on there.... (descriptions don't work too well for me....)
sparkinator
09-06-2006, 11:36 AM
I replaced the tires on my ST last month and just used the center stand. I had my son put blocks of wood under oil pan as I raised and lowered the front end by putting weight on the back of the bike. Job went fairly smooth.
Ditto on the above, although I use one of these.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/02700-02799/02792.gifThat's a Harley hefter, not a proper motorcycle lift... :(
Ciao,
That's a Harley hefter, not a proper motorcycle lift... :(
Ciao,
It works just fine for my dirtbike and the st. Esp since both are lighter than a HD.
Mac I'm guessing you don't have any pics of the bike on said Jack would you?
I'd be interested to see pics of how everything looks on there.... (descriptions don't work too well for me....)
No, but I need to do an oil change and play with the front end, so I could have some by this weekend.
willd
09-07-2006, 09:35 AM
No, but I need to do an oil change and play with the front end, so I could have some by this weekend.
That'd be great if you wouldn't mind. I'm trying to find a good method for changing tires, and I haven't come up with anything. I need something pretty stable just to make sure it doesn't fall on my kids while the wheels are off :D
Byron
09-07-2006, 11:12 AM
If you scan down this thread (http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12886&highlight=jack) I have some pictures of my bike up on the jack. You'll also see some pictures of an adapter I built to keep things level when lifting.
It works just fine for my dirtbike and the st. Esp since both are lighter than a HD.If you were clever enough, you could probably lift the ST1300 with a just floor jack, but that wouldn't change the fact that the bike wasn't designed to be lifted with a Harley-type jack. But once you've lifted the bike, are you going to look at it or work on it? If all you're gonna do is gingerly remove the wheels (after carefully loosening the various bolts with the bike on terra firma), you don't need to jack the thing 15" up in the air--just use the centerstand and a floor jack under the oil pan.
Anybody who does serious work on motorcycles uses a full lift; anything else is simply a "bad idea". :o:
Ciao,
ST1300 Alicia
09-10-2006, 12:42 AM
I hope this link works. Harbor freight has a drive on motorcycle lift that will raise the whole bike up to a decent working level and save my Knees. Sells for < $400.00 and allows you to stand up. Should support the bike on the center-stand with the wheels off. I think I'm going to buy one.[URL="http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94121"]
John Anthony
09-10-2006, 10:31 AM
That motorcycle lift looks like just the ticket. I'll have to add that to my Christmas list.
John
ligito
09-10-2006, 11:10 AM
I use a Handy Products air lift.
One of my best and safest investments.
I got the side wings for ATV's and they really help when parking the ST on it, it gives you someplace to put your feet. I have 3M gritty tape all over it, to keep things from sliding, while backing it down the ramp.
JimKrause
09-10-2006, 01:18 PM
"Anybody who does serious work on motorcycles uses a full lift; anything else is simply a "bad idea".
Well, I've been doing my own motorcycle maintenance since 1968. Never owned a full lift. Guess I'm just full of "bad ideas". Of course, a lot of people think that RIDING motorcycles is a "bad idea". So, I guess you can't always live your life based on other people's judgements.
jim
AB4CZ
georgeorge
09-10-2006, 01:28 PM
Mac I'm guessing you don't have any pics of the bike on said Jack would you?
I'd be interested to see pics of how everything looks on there.... (descriptions don't work too well for me....)
One inch spacer of wood on the leg that goes under the centerstand to keep it level.
"Anybody who does serious work on motorcycles uses a full lift; anything else is simply a "bad idea".
Well, I've been doing my own motorcycle maintenance since 1968. Never owned a full lift. Guess I'm just full of "bad ideas". Of course, a lot of people think that RIDING motorcycles is a "bad idea". So, I guess you can't always live your life based on other people's judgements.I bet you're experienced enough to do many things the newbie shouldn't attempt... But it's not guys like you who ask "what lift should I get?" Yes, a Harley lift "kinda sorta" works, but simply isn't designed for the job, and I think they are a false economy with serious safety issues when used on a bike like the ST1300. (I meant "work on motorcycles" professionally, by the way.)
Ciao,
I've been using the Harbor Freight lift for about a year. Love it. The only thing that can get hairy the first couple of times, is rolling the ST up on the lift, by yourself. :eek:. Once you get the hang of it, you're good to go. I suggest you get someone to help the first time though.
gregy
09-13-2006, 03:14 PM
I ended up buying the Harbor Freight lift table on sale for $300 after trying the Craftsman Pro Jack. I have a HF retail center 20 miles from my house, they helped me load it into the back of my SUV, and I didn't have to pay S/H. The difference is night and day. I researched all the forums and built several wooden jigs for the Craftsman type of lift, but never felt the bike was stable enough even with tie-downs. Actually, I never raised it more than 5" because it was so unstable. The price difference of $150 between the Craftsman jack and the HF table wasn’t worth the possibility of tipping my bike, especially if it fell on me.
The Craftsman jack was very well built and Sears was very gracious in taking it back, but it's just not designed for the ST1300. BTW, if you buy the Craftsman I recommend the aluminum pro over the cheaper steel model.
zombiebritts
07-04-2007, 08:27 PM
I will be using the center stand and wood blocks under the oil pan method tomorrow. This has been done many times before. I get the wife to place the blocks for me.
Take the wheels off , goto the bike dude in town , have him replace the tires , come home and remount the wheels. The few $$ I spend is well worth the frustration of being a noob at tire changing.
Ahhh fresh BT021's ... wonder if I can play hookie from work ... :rolleyes: :03biker:
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