[Chimerix]

Aloha all!

I'm looking for a way to get my Vulcan's rear wheel off the ground when doing chain maintenance. They don't (or at least didn't) come with a center stand.

I used to do this with an XR-75 dirt bike by placing a hydraulic floor jack under the motor and lifting. It weighed less than half what my Vulcan weighs, though, so I'm a little bit nervous about 3 things.

First, that I'll break or warp the engine casing.

Second, that the bike will topple over and squash me.

Third, that the bike is actually tail-heavy, and this will only accomplish lifting the front.

Those of you who do your own chain maintenance and replacement on bikes sans center-stand, what are your tricks?

 

[Outamyvulcnmind]

I use a Black Jack - it's the only thing I could find that fits under my 900. I don't remember where I got mine (I paid about $70) but here it is at Weavers:

Motorcycle Tire Changer, Motorcycle Lift

Cheers!

John

 

[DrmFox]

Someone posted this on here a few months ago so if you want to save a few dollars and it works here you go. http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/forum/kawasaki-cruisers/92436-jack-versus-lift.html

 

[Baitis]

I mounted 2 ton chain hoist in my garage ceiling, suspended off a 10ft 10" I-beam. It kills my back to bend over working on things, now I hoist my work to a comfortable level.

 

[Chimerix]

I use a Black Jack - it's the only thing I could find that fits under my 900.

That looks promising... I assume it's a scissor jack, and that little shiny stud is the crank point?

 

[airforce1]

Got a decent M/C jack at Harbor Freight,
Rated at 1500 lbs (that was plenty)
Played with it, raised the front wheel ok, raised the back wheel ok,
Lifted my 1500 Vulcan and she didn't like it!
Laid down. (sob)
Fixed all that and realized that it was not the M/C's fault and not "Jack's" fault, it was my fault for not securing the bike!
Once strapped properly, was able to raise her about 12" easily and do the work.
Kawi has a factory jack with little V shaped jack points, but I'm too independent to use that....
A ramp is great for most anything but tire/wheel service.
Hope this helps.
Since you are new, would you like to send pix of your ride, location and stuff like that?
Welcome to the forum, it's a great place to share and learn!

 

[Philip Potts]

I made this at work. Works great!

 

[jeffs99vulcan]

Less than 20 bucks!

The PDF instructions are below, this is what it looks like...

 

[killyourchopper]

leave your bike on the kickstand, u can use a normal jack, just put it right on the knuckle of the shock pivot. give a few pumps and this will give you enuff lift to service your chain.

 

[BigJohn]

Jeff,

Thanks for the idea. I needed something like this last week. I'll make one this week, for sure.

John

 

[uechi kid]

Aloha all!

I'm looking for a way to get my Vulcan's rear wheel off the ground when doing chain maintenance. They don't (or at least didn't) come with a center stand.

I used to do this with an XR-75 dirt bike by placing a hydraulic floor jack under the motor and lifting. It weighed less than half what my Vulcan weighs, though, so I'm a little bit nervous about 3 things.

First, that I'll break or warp the engine casing.

Second, that the bike will topple over and squash me.

Third, that the bike is actually tail-heavy, and this will only accomplish lifting the front.

Those of you who do your own chain maintenance and replacement on bikes sans center-stand, what are your tricks?

What bike are you riding? If you're riding a 1500 or 1600 and are handy with a drill and a welder you can make a V- Lift.

 

[Hacker]

You might try this:

$20 Bike Lift

 

[Chimerix]

What bike are you riding? If you're riding a 1500 or 1600 and are handy with a drill and a welder you can make a V- Lift.

Sorry... she's a 500 LTD, the 2000 year model.

 

[bhamberry]

Anybody know if the board and pipe lift will work on a V2K Classic. It's would make washing the tires easier if you could lift and wash instead of wash, roll, wash, roll, wash, roll.

 

[jeffs99vulcan]

Anybody know if the board and pipe lift will work on a V2K Classic. It's would make washing the tires easier if you could lift and wash instead of wash, roll, wash, roll, wash, roll.

There are a few versions of it on the net... the first one I ever found was built with a 4"x6" with is a pretty impressive hunk of wood and one that is rare to buy around here. I came across some scrap 4x4's, and was going to bolt two together and make it that way, but then I was given a piece of 2x8, and it was a TRUE 2" by 8", not the dressed 1-1/2 by 7-1/2 that you buy at the store, so I used that instead...

The moral of the confusing story is, I'm really QUITE certain that if you used two 4x4's attached together or a true 4x6, I can't imagine that it wouldn't support ANY bike, as long as the pole you use is sufficiently solid (good steel sprinkler pipe, or something like it) and don't make it lift TOO high, you only need an inch or two.

If you think about it, two 4x4's will EASILY support the weight of a V2K... you just don't want the pole to bend or snap during the lift or descent!

 

[El Skitzo]

leave your bike on the kickstand, u can use a normal jack, just put it right on the knuckle of the shock pivot. give a few pumps and this will give you enuff lift to service your chain.

That's exactly what I do after my mobile motorcycle mechanic did it on the bike at the last service. He just left the bike on the stand as it was, rolled a car trolley jack under the right side of the frame and jacked it up until the rear wheel came off the ground.

I asked him if it was ok to do that and he said that's why the bike has a little metal tag hanging off the right rear of the frame, to indicate the jacking point.

When I want to pick up the front wheel to clean the tyre I do the same thing, but just move the jack to a point right at the front of the right side of the frame.

I have ATV bike lift also, but it takes a bit of work to get it located under the bike correctly with wood chocks in place to suport the frame only. I haven't used it since finding out I could use the car jack and take less than 30 second to lift the bike...

 

[jeffs99vulcan]

I've done the above too... I have a trolley jack, a motorcycle jack, and the pole/board combo... they all work differently to do different things, and I like the pole/board best to ge the rear wheel up quick.

I've used the trolley jack under the engine guard to get the front wheel up, and the m/c jack to get the whole bike up to a comfortable working height...

If I use the jack to raise the rear wheel by putting it under the suspension bracket, I usually pull the bike upright to get the jack to seat properly, but I'm on my knees shoving the jack under at the same time I'm pulling the bike upright, and I have a bad shoulder... I built the pole/board jack because it's easier, quicker, safer and more stable, and I can do it standing upright, in a better position to catch the bike if it starts to go...

 

[Chimerix]

After looking at my Vulcan's underbelly, I don't think the lumber approach will work. The low point on the bike it the pipes (are the pipes?). So, as simple and affordable as the 2x8 seems, I don't think the exhaust is meant to carry that kind of weight.

Looks like I'll be visiting Sears soon!

 

[theloots]

The $20 bike lift below works great !! I made one myself in about 20 minutes. Use the one below that asks for a 4X8. Home depot sells 4X6's and you get another 2x4 to make up the rest. you split the 2x4 to leave a gap where your engine hangs lower than your frame and you don't hurt anything.

 

[Primus]

Hello guys!
I'm new to this forum, had my christmas ride yesterday and in need to clean my chain on kawasaki 2003 vulcan classic. This wooden jack is really cool and would you help me and put those measures in cm. Thank you!

Primus