I didn't come up with this. Frankly, I don't know if I can come up with the originator as I've seen three different posters. Could be like minds, could be people just passing on info. That's what I am doing.
Now, I know I'm lazy. I know I'm cheap. But WHY didn't I get around to doing this sooner? I do have a Sears Motorcycle jack. Got it on sale for a price after rebate of about 35 bucks. Not bad for a 70ish list jack. It has full-filled my every need. I can jack the bike up to a nice height, strap it down and move it around my garage as needed and I have needed. But sometimes you just need to get a wheel up and don't need to go through the trouble of getting the bike up straight (I use a HF front wheel chock) and then positioning the jack and getting it up and strapped. Takes about 10 minutes for me to get the jack out of storage till the bike is up. No complaints.
But what if I just need to spin a wheel, change the oil or adjust the rear pulley like I did today?
This jack takes 30 seconds? Depending on where you store it. Make sure the bike is in the correct position. Slide the jack under the bike and position it to lift the front or rear. Straighten the front wheel up and pull the bike up level. Push the jack lever down till the bike stands up on the board. Slide the pole halfway ensuring that the boards can't tip back either direction(safety feature).
How do you make it?
Acquire two boards, 40 inches long. For most bikes I'm told, 2x8's are sufficient and that has proven so with the 900. If you have a really low slung bike, maybe 2x6's would do. Frankly, I think 40 inches is overkill but I had the wood and it was the suggested length. Glue and screw the wood together giving you for all effect a 4x8x40 inch long board. (okay, I know the dressed size is smaller, you get the point)
Acquire a 4 foot section of pipe or something for a handle. Pipe works best for because you can just drill through the boards the correct size hole for the pipe. Fencing T-posts might be pretty difficult. Come in from one end of the board and drill a hole all the way through both boards, perpendicular to them, for the pipe. For longevity, if you can find one to fit, attach a metal washer cover for the hole to keep it from wallowing out over time.
My Jack? I bought a new truck this spring and after a couple of trips to the store with the groceries being at all sorts of places in the bed, I decided to put a board across the back and as I had the jack in mind, I bought a 2x8. Just before I cut the wood I noticed that Ford had already put a notch in the bed JUST for that purpose. Heck, maybe they all do. So I measure twice, cut once and was about an inch short! Seriously. I had a 2x6 left over from last years deck build to double the 2x8 with. I figured it would be good enough. Well, the wife had pity on me and told me to spend the extra 5 bucks and buy a new one (they were on sale, don't know what they usually go for, didn't ask just told the wife they were on sale)
So now, after a little trimming, I had the two 40 inch pieces. But I couldn't find anything to use for the lever. All I have is a couple pieces of Copper tubing and that's too flimsy. A piece of galvanized 3/4 inch plumbing would be perfect. Too bad I don't have any. But a friend of mine at work had a big, aluminum pipe he had used as a cheater on a pipe wrench. It's threaded on one side and tougher then you'd think. He didn't know what it was used for originally. I actually had a spade bit the right side, so the cost for me was NOTHING!!!
Here's a picture of the bike up on the jack with the handle half way over.
Too let the bike down, put the handle flush with the bottom of the board, pull up on the handle slowly while holding the handlebars. Let the weight of the bike do the work. Set it down on the kickstand and slide the jack out from under the bike. 5 seconds and done. It is simplicity at it's best.
Now, if you go out and buy everything you'll probably have to spend 25 bucks. I think a 2x8x10s are about 10 bucks. 4 foot pipe is about 8. You'll need some screws and for glue I used Poly U glue but Hard as Nails or Elmers would do I'm sure. If you have a building project, just remember the size lumber you need and get that extra foot or two for the scrap pieces.
Simple Wood frame Jack
Angus
Harbor Frieght
Many Thanks
Spirit
Vulcan
Wide Glide
Linear Mode
