I am a newbie and need some tips on how to get the bike on the lift and in the air without dumping it. I have a yellow sears lift.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

I have the yellow Sears lift also. It easily fits under my lowered SE Fat Boy, while it is still on the jiffy stand. I position the jack under the bike, so it's under both sides of the frame properly. Then I straddle the bike and pump the handle until the bike straightens up and is almost off the ground. Then I get off the bike and raise it up to the height I want.
When I am ready to lower it I straddle the bike first.
I've read on here that some owners say that the jack lowers too fast, but I have no problem easing it down. I just barely turn the handle and it comes down fairly slow.
Make sure you use the lock, so it can't accidental come down.
I have used mine dozens of times and for some reason 2 of those times I had a hard time disengaging the lock.
Tom

 

No need to sit on the bike. Slide the lift under about halfway back. LEAVE THE KICKSTAND DOWN! Slowly jack it up an inch or two until the bike is on the lift completely and straight up and down. Jack it up some more until you have it where you need it. Always double check when letting it down that the kickstnnd is down.

 

Put the lift under the motorcycle and lift until level, then place web straps over bike and secure . Then lift slowly and tighten straps as needed.

 

I just feel like it gives me a bit more control, in case something were to go wrong, if I am straddling the bike.
Tom

 

I'm another that never sits on the bike when raising or lowering (yellow craftsman here too). I make a habit of raising the lift (usually just half a pump of the handle) before releasing the lock. And I agree, I never have any problems with control when lowering back to the ground.
Paul

 

Thanks everyone. The info is extremely helpful.

 

Do yourself a favor & get a J&S jack. A word of caution...the first time the bike settles on to the jiffy stand (when lowering) it'll scare the crap out of you!

 

I have a lift from harbor freight , it's just about the positioning of it
before lifting , and lowering it is just about having that kickstand down ,
I stand on the left side and use an old broom handle on the release
just to be safe .

 

take your yellow sears jack, same as i have, park the bike on its jiffy stand. roll the jack in under the right side of the bike till the frame is pretty well centered. leave the jiffy stand down, then start pumping the jack till it starts lifting the left side of the bike. check underneath to make sure your rubber pads on the jack are contacting the frame securely, then after checking to make sure, go ahead and lift the bike off the ground. that way, you use one hand to operate the lift, and your other hand on the throttle grip to keep the bike from falling toward you. and be absolutely sure that you have the jiffy stand down when you lower the jack to the floor, cause if not, you'll not be able to hold the bike from falling over on its left side. it's really easy when you get used to it. that's my method anyway. and if you remove the front wheel use a small floor jack-car type under the rear wheel. otherwise when you remove the front wheel the balance will be off and your bike may go off the jack to the rear due to unbalance. that's how i do it anyway, and it's worked for me, and it's safe.