Craftsmen Motorcycle Jack

[john37]

Hi,
I'm really new here but I wanted to share my motorcycle jack story. I had my bike up on the lift (600+lbs) and when to torque the back axle nut when all of the sudden, "Crack!!!" The the bike made a big dipping motion towards me... scared the bejesus out of me. Turns out the "safety catch" snapped.
Probably an isolated incident but be careful if you have one of these.

 

[The Garage Medic]

Hi John37
Garage Medic here,I have the same ATV/MC jack.I use it to install large heavy garage cabinets.The jack is the biggest and heaviest junk tool I have bought from Sears.Good safety warning!!!

Later.

 

[old mx'r]

I suffered the same thing about 6 months ago. I was sitting on the ground cleaning my Yamaha drive chain with kerosene when the jack stop failed.

The bike fell on me and knocked over my small parts cleaning pan with kerosene.

It took me several minuutes to get out from under the bike and out of the pool of kerosene.

I was bruised up some and thankful that it wasn't worse.

 

[krusty the clown]

i have one and i only use it to change tires, anything else i use the handy lift. i never trusted the mc jack.

 

[jay50]

I was almost ready to buy one of those during the next sale but will look elsewhere.
Wonder if HF has one? lol

 

[oxycodone]

Yeah, that craftsman jack ***** in a lot of ways.

I use Pitbull race stands and a scissor jack from Western Manufacturing (made in USA, $80).

 

[Rory Bellows]

If you are going to scrap the jack ......DON'T!! I pulled one out of the trash a few years back w/ a bad cylinder. I took it all apart and cut it a little and used the base for my welding table. The table is small (top 3' x 5') but is easily movable with even engine blocks and ******'s on top. I used 2" 3/16" angle iron for the legs and top base mitering all the corners for good support. The top overhangs the base for easy clamping etc.

 

[rburke65]

Got any pictures of your handy work?

 

[Old Donn]

I've had one of these 4-5 years, used it to breathe life back into my old Sportster. Had none of the issues suffered by my counterparts above. So far, so good.

 

[dledinger]

I have the yellow one from Sears, which is considerably more expensive than the cheapos...and I have experienced no problems with it.

I wonder about crashing down....wouldn't it take a failure of the both the hydraulics and the safety....not just the safety?

Either way, the one I have is top notch and I have no reservations about using it!

 

[T4Turtle]

I have had one for about 7 years and have not had a problem yet. It was $100 and is red. Using it with a 80 KZ1000 and a 2002 FXST, and I use it a lot.

I do leave the pressure on the hydraulics and use the safety catch both.

 

[hobie1dog]

built by humans....it will fail.

 

[wadd1]

I use a red Torin bike lift for my Road King
good quality no problems
i dont rest the entire weight on those little tabs
i let it down on them then pump up the jack and take up the slack

 

[moondog933]

I have one of the Sears lifts and I have never had any problems but, I only use it to clean and polish or install new chrome. If I need to change back tires or remove/add anything that will change the balance point of the lift then I will use my lift table. Thats what the full blown bike mechanics do.