Thanks for the tip. I use a yellow sears aluminum jack. No problem getting it under the bike at all. I am always careful, however, to visually line up the jack pads so they don't contact the shocks. This makes the bike back-heavy on the jack. One option is to tie it down. I've never done this. Another is to just be very careful. This I do. The bike gets really squirrelly though when I clean the back wheel.I'm gonnagit me sum o' dem frame protectors.
I spoke witha friend who never gave his shocks a second thought. He just shoveshis jack under the bike where it balances best and raises it up. I had previously ridden his Softail and the suspension felt very lethargic to me. Hmmm.
And yes... Keep the jiffy stand down...and be careful the bike doesn't start leaning to the opposite side when lowering! I had a very close call and had to use a football block to get it over onto its stand. That's one reason I've found it best to insert the jack on the right side ofmy bike.