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Thinking of getting a floor jack - how hard is it to find the right place to lift?

V

vito1943

Active member
I'm still looking for an easy solution to adding air to the rear tire on my RT. I'm thinking of getting an inexpensive floor jack from Harbor Freight, thinking if I an raise the bike up a bit, enough to easily turn the rear wheel, I should be able to take care of adding air more easily. My question is: how obvious is it to find the right place under the bike to place the jack?
 
Cut a 2x6 just long enough to fit up under the swing arm under the rear shock and place the HF jack under that 2x6. Exactly how I lift my Spyder.
Also, this tool has the perfect angle for airing up that rear tire.

1737855925553.png Get it at HF.
 
Jack placement is a piece of cake, just get down there and follow the frame of the bike that runs down the center of the bike as far back as it go's to the end, place a jack right there and pump it up it will raise just the rear of the bike! Then find a end like 2Dogs suggested and your job should be easy. Myself, I just get down there with the valve stem straight down, then with a tire gauge and a air chuck like 2Dogs, do the whole thing in one pass, easy peezy!
 
I do have floor jacks, but to just lift the rear tire off the floor, I use a scissor jack. It is rated for 1500 pounds. A couple pieces of scrap wood keeps the upper surface from contacting anything that could be damaged. The jacking screw has a large nut drilled and secured to the shaft so that the scissor jack can be operated with a 3/8 electric impact. This makes it convenient and quick to use. You can find a scissor jack that will support a Spyder at most stores that sell auto parts or hardware. They can also be ordered online.

It is light weight, easy to store, and low cost.

lift.jpg
 
You didn't ask, but if you purchase a floor jack, get one that is "low profile". The older floor jacks sit an inch or two higher and will not slide under the Spyder. It is not a problem at all placing the jack under the Spyder for correct lifting. Typically, after I lift the Spyder, I place ramps (wood will work as well ) under the tires. This gives me room to place an oil drain pan under the engine for oil changing.

Former ride 2020 F3 Limited
Current ride 2023 RT Limited
 
Here's something I'm going to look into a little more. A hand drill operated motorcycle lift. So far they look a little tippy and they seem to be expensive. If one could get enough height to set the spyder back down on a set of 3 car ramps, that's all the height I'd need to service my spyder. If I could find one that would go high enough to equal the height of a service table that'd be even better. The highest one I've seen so far is 30", and that just might do it.
 
These things are light.
Get the lowest profile aluminum floor jack you can find.
I have a 3,000 pound one that I use at the racetrack, and it works great for the spyder.
Go in from the left side and place it at the rear end of the central frame to raise the rear, or just behind the front crossmember to raise both front tires.
When raising the front, it will be tippy, so you'll want to put blocks or jack stands under the front A-arms before doing any work on it.
 
I don't do any work on my Spyder, and adding air to the front tires is not a problem. So I am only interested in lifting the rear to make it easier to get to the rear tire valve. I saw a $99 floor jack at Harbor Freight that appears to be 3.5 inches when flat, which should fit under the Spyder. It just occurred to me to wonder about the parking brake: does it just lock the front wheels or all three wheels? If all three, then I would need to chock the front wheels when leaving the brake off when raising the rear wheel.
 
The park brake only locks the rear.
If your floor is level, chocks aren't necessary for just adding air.
If you're on an uneven surface, even a couple pieces of 2x4 will work.
Check your frame clearance. If it's over 3.5" this jack should work.
www.harborfreight.com

1.5 Ton Low-Profile Aluminum Racing Floor Jack with RAPID PUMP

Amazing deals on this 1.5T Aluminum Racing Jack W/ Rapid Pump at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com www.harborfreight.com
I've had good service from HF jacks.
 
Last edited:
T.P. said:
www.harborfreight.com

1500 lb. Steel ATV/Motorcycle Lift

Amazing deals on this 1500Lb Steel Atv / Motorcycle Lift at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com www.harborfreight.com
CHEAPER and made of steel
another dealer
another NT

T.P.
Click to expand...
Doesn't look like either of those will drop low enough to clear a Spyder.
The lowest one has a minimum of 4.5".
 
vito1943 said:
I don't do any work on my Spyder, and adding air to the front tires is not a problem. So I am only interested in lifting the rear to make it easier to get to the rear tire valve. I saw a $99 floor jack at Harbor Freight that appears to be 3.5 inches when flat, which should fit under the Spyder. It just occurred to me to wonder about the parking brake: does it just lock the front wheels or all three wheels? If all three, then I would need to chock the front wheels when leaving the brake off when raising the rear wheel.
Click to expand...
Park brake only locks the rear wheel
 
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