I use a red Craftsman. I'm always careful with ever jack I use, no matter what jack and what vehicle. The Craftsman lifts my Road King without any trouble, and it's stable once the straps are on. It works for everything I need to do to the bike.

 

I use my "cheap" jack for quick cleanings and what not. For everything else, oil changes, tire changes, motor work, etc, I use a table lift. The bike gets strapped down no matter which lift is used. Common sense and attention to detail will go a long way in keeping your bike safe and your heart rate down.

 

dboyenga,
Thanks for the compliment. I suppose it would be plenty stable enough without being bolted down, but I suffer from "Tim the Toolman Taylor" syndrome, and just had to take it that one extra step. In fact this rack is way overbuilt, as I used 1/4" thick square tube, when 1/8" would have been more than enough.
In truth, I felt it necessary to bolt it down, as I have three large Labs, and they tend to wrestle in the garage. Last thing I wanted was for them to knock this bike over. I could repair the bike, but couldn't stand to have one of my pups hurt.

 

Just for grins, it would be cool to integrate a step down roller system (like they have on the rolling stairs at industrial plants and warehouses or on table saw rigs.)
Step on a lever, wheels lift the frame a bit and you roll it away. Step on the other side and it drops down, safe and secure on the floor.
THAT would be spiffy ..!!

 

I always strap the jiffy stand in its down position with a bungie cord to the engine crash bar. That way it is always deployed when the bike is lowered back to the ground.

 

Cool idea. I will have to think about incorporating that into the next one I build.

 

Your rack a real anti-theft device
Towards the rear, do you support the frame at the limit of the round tube or beyond the weld of the forged structure ?

 

thats a good idea , now I know almost everything

 

Could some one answer this question? Is the pitbull or j&s jack stable when it is only 4 inches in the air and will you get on and the back and front of the motorcycle with it only 4 inches in the air?
Note:
At times I use the Habor freight lift with the sears red jack when I want to lift the bike up past my garage rafters to see if i scaped the floorboards.

 

I always roll the jack under the side that doesn't have the kick stand. Leave the kick stand in the down position. I use the strap on the passengers seat to put the bike up to me and off the kick stand. The jack should roll under the frame, looking on both sides to make sure the rubber pads are showing on each side of the frame. Slowly jack the jack up until you feel it moving the bike up and making sure it is stable. If the handle bars are not in the lock position the front wheel should begin to center its self. You can now check to make sure the bike is on the jack right and begin to jack it up to the limit you want it. When your where you want the bike to be then put the down the lock so it will stay at that height. Always be careful when your working on the bike that the bike stays stable on the jack.