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Bike lifting options

wmh9680

New member
Good evening again, we had quite a bit of rain today so I playing with the bike. When lifting her do you have to stay on the front to back metal beam and stay away from the exhaust springs? Is the a way to lift only one front tire or only the rear tire? Thanks, Mike
 
What....

What are you using to lift the spyder and what is it that you want to lift the trike for?
 
My craftsman mc jack. I was cking out what I need to do/have to do my 1st oil change and remove the rear brakes to clean them to stop the squealing. Thanks Mike
 
Make sure your rearmost lifting arm is where the angled support bars intersect the main center channel, that adds a few extra inches of width and balance. Usually as I slide it under the bike the rearmost lifting arm is right under my Drivers footboard mount. LIke this
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My HF 1500 lb MC/ATV Jack lifting arms almost reach the outer tubes under the bike, but it's very stable fore and aft and laterally. I usually lift the bike above the highest locking point, slip in the jack stands, one under each A Arm right at the inside of the wheel, and one under the rear shock mount, then slowly lower the bike, double checking the jack stands for solid contact points, before completely lowering the jack and starting the oil change.
 
The service manual has numerous warnings about never lifting or supporting under the rear shock mount. Lift or support using the frame only.
 
UH oh, I've had my RTL up on jackstands dozens of times doing oil changes, removing the whole rear trunk assembly even, doing many oil and filter changes, removed the Frunk, and more with the rear always supported under the rear shock mount. I have even mounted the bike using a step stool whilst up on the jackstands and with the 1500lb ATV Jack in place using it's safety locking bar on the highest setting.

And to clarify, I don't lift it using the shock mount, I lift it under the main frame as depicted in the photo above. Once lifted I use my basic 3 ton jackstands that have the rubberized top caps. YMMV.

I think the manual also says to not do ANY modifications, so I guess I should de farkle my Spyder just to be safe eh?
 
Depends...

I have this Motorcyle lift from Craftsman and works well but for a full lift of the spyder. A regular floor jack will work for the individual lifts....:thumbup:
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Like Chupaca says... regular floor jack works to lift one wheel at a time

I usually put a 6 X 6 inch square of plywood on the jack swivel to bridge the front A-Arm struts, and use a piece of old tire tread rubber to grip and cushion the main frame channel.

Make sure you block or anchor the corners with jack stands if you're lifting high or planning on getting under it!!:lecturef_smilie:
 
The service manual has numerous warnings about never lifting or supporting under the rear shock mount. Lift or support using the frame only.
Actually the manual has what appears to be conflicting instructions. When you are lifting the bike to check belt tension then lift by the frame only. This is to allow the swing arm to drop to its lowest position. For other lifts you can use a jack under the rear shock absorber. One instruction says to make sure the jack cups the rear shock mount but the others just say to put the jack underneath the shock.

Lifting 1.JPGLifting 2.JPGLifting 3.JPG
 
Thanks, for all the replies. I actually made a couple of things to help get her up with the jack in underneath the drivers footrest. I will send pics. Yes I want to be able to lift either one the front wheels or the rear by itself instead of lifting the the whole bike if I can.
 
Thanks, for all the replies. I actually made a couple of things to help get her up with the jack in underneath the drivers footrest. I will send pics. Yes I want to be able to lift either one the front wheels or the rear by itself instead of lifting the the whole bike if I can.
The bike needs to be level when draining the oil I believe.
 
Thanks, for all the replies. I actually made a couple of things to help get her up with the jack in underneath the drivers footrest. I will send pics. Yes I want to be able to lift either one the front wheels or the rear by itself instead of lifting the the whole bike if I can.
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The bike needs to be level when draining the oil I believe.
 
Thanks, for all the replies. I actually made a couple of things to help get her up with the jack in underneath the drivers footrest. I will send pics. Yes I want to be able to lift either one the front wheels or the rear by itself instead of lifting the the whole bike if I can.
For that a floor jack works best. Use the m/c ATV jack to lift the entire bike.
 
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Actually the manual has what appears to be conflicting instructions. When you are lifting the bike to check belt tension then lift by the frame only. This is to allow the swing arm to drop to its lowest position. For other lifts you can use a jack under the rear shock absorber. One instruction says to make sure the jack cups the rear shock mount but the others just say to put the jack underneath the shock.

View attachment 163725View attachment 163726View attachment 163727

Thanks, I've got her up in the air rolling all around under her famiarizing my self with where everything is and how to get to anything.
 
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