Motorcycle scissor jack

[elcom]

Having just completed a repair job on a Vespa scooter that had me rolling around on the floor, I took the plunge and ordered a lift table with a front wheel vise. Now I need a scissor jack.

As I see it, there are basically two decisions to make:

1) Brand: the MiUSA versions are in the $400-$500 range (e.g., Handy and K&L). The presumably import versions are $50-$100. E.g., Liftmaster

2) Style: wide with a rubber pad and a "universal" style with frame supports (pictures below).

I work on a variety of motorcycles ranging from a Vespa, to a standard (1983 Nighthawk 450), Harleys, to sport bikes and sport touring bikes.

Questions:
1) Which scissor jacks do you own/use and how do you like them?
2) Is there a major advantage to the high-priced US brands over the much cheaper import brands for holding the front/rear end a few inches off of the table for tire changes and similar work?

Thanks in advance!

 

[kabinenroller]

I have a Direct Lift table that is extra long, and has removable side extensions. I bought their sissors jack to lift the bike off the table. No issues works well.

BJ10BK - Black Jack 1000

The Black Jack 1000 scissor lift jack is a great addition to any Pro Cycle or Pro Cycle DT motorcycle lift. The Black Jack 1000 allows the front or rear of bikes, ATVs, etc., to be raised for easier wheel service. All adapters are included with the price. Specifications: Capacity 1,000...

directlift.com

 

[ronkz650]

I got the Handy and was pretty disappointed in quality for the $300 or whatever it was 3yrs ago. I use an old jack from 1950 that works just as good. I like the Handy lift for sure, but the jack is nothing special and not worth it.

 

[flying eyeball]

Been using this for a few years now...no issues. fwiw I just wrench on my own stuff.

ZENY 1100 LB Motorcycle Center Scissor Lift Jack Hoist Stand Bikes ATVs Scooter Crank Stand

 

[driftpin]

JEGS 87006: Motorcycle Jack [1,100 lb. Lift Capacity] - JEGS

Get the Best Performance with JEGS Motorcycle Jack [1,100 lb. Lift Capacity] 87006 parts at JEGS. Shop Now at the Guaranteed Lowest Price!

www.jegs.com

$86 at Jeg's.

Northern Tool has one too. $150

Problems today with their website, for me.

https://www.northerntool.com/products/strongway-1000-lb-motorcycle-lift-utility-vehicle-lift-46205?cm_mmc=Google-LIA&utm_source=Google_LIA&utm_medium=Automotive%20%3E%20Automotive%20Lifts%20%3E%20Motorcycle%20Lifts&utm_campaign=Strongway&utm_content=46205&ogmap=SHP%7cLIA%7cGOOG%7cSTND%7cc%7cSITEWIDE%7c%7c%7c%7c%7c19579549800%7c143758223165&gclid=CjwKCAjwivemBhBhEiwAJxNWN8T4nPnmA58TxaQI6_xx7TVwFcGzt5RLHm2Gwd_WYQfiL4fhzfbVhRoCj6gQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Free shipping, and this company seems to have a good reputation $169 at Derek Weaver
Multiple adapters included.

Weaver® W-BlackJack Motorcycle Jack

Raise the whole frame at once or just one end at a time with this BlackJack motorcycle jack. 1000-lb. capacity and FREE shipping to most states.

www.derekweaver.com

I've ordered from this company before, and they may have the best price for this type of tool. Pit Posse. $102 & free shipping. includes a 5 year warranty. Jegs is about the same price if you add their extra-cost 3 year warranty, which is 2 years less.

Pit Posse has a lot of motorcycle specialty tools. I have their wheel bearing removal and setting tool, it works well.

Pit Posse Scissor Center Lift

Check out the deal on Pit Posse Scissor Center Lift at Pit Posse

www.pitposse.com

 

[1foxracing]

I'd defiantly buy one that came with the frame supports, super handy to have those when you are working on a bike where the exhaust runs below the motor. I've had mine at least 15 years and forget the brand but it came with both short and long versions of frame supports.
Race stands work great in combination with a bike lift as well. I have Pit Bulls but Woodcraft would also be another brand I would use.

 

[imagineer]

I wanted a scissor lift to lift the bike by the frame but was too cheap to buy one, so I made my own. I don't have any pics of the jack itself, but here it's under my 1st bike.

 

[elcom]

Thanks! Very helpful. I may just pick a cheaper alternative and buy both versions (i.e., narrow with frame supports + wide/flat one).

 

[bwringer]

The second style, "narrow with frame supports" is far, far more useful. The first wide/flat style only works on a minority of bikes, cruisers that just happen to have two horizontal frame members running under the engine as the lowest point. Or dirtbikes and dual-sport bikes with skidplates (but then you can't remove the skidplate). On most motorcycles, the exhaust or engine cases are the lowest point, and you can't jack the bike up with these.

The narrow size also gives you far more options for placing the jack. For example, on many bikes it can fit behind the engine and in front of the rear wheel, and you can pick up the frame around the swingarm, or perhaps the footpegs, or the swingarm linkage, and lift the rear.

As to COO... honestly, the cheapies work perfectly fine. You're not hoisting bulldozers here.

I once received a hydraulic motorcycle jack for Christmas from a well-meaning family member, the kind meant for flat bottomed Harleys. Honestly it was completely useless for the bikes I work on. I think I used it a few times for lawn mowers. Still, the relative looked for it every time they visited. To preserve family tranquility it took up space in my garage for a few years until they moved further away and I sold it. They did visit a few times later on, and I told them a friend had borrowed it...

 

[txvwnut]

I modified a Honda civic scissor jack to use when I have my bike on the lift.

 

[elcom]

Thanks to all! Very helpful.

 

[ronkz650]

Yea, like others have said, they all work OK. Just for info, I got the Handy Universal jack, and as I said, not impressed. The safety pin holes are huge compared to the pin, like double, so you are inserting a 3/16" diameter pin into a 3/8" hole or whatever. Sloppy. Then the vertical mounts for the frame adapters are not mounted flat, like 10 degrees off. Oh well still works. The adapters have huge amount of slop, so if you use the frame adapters you can rock the motorcycle several inches as the adapters flop around in addition to 10 degrees out of vertical. The wormgear is not straight and wobbles majorly, so if you use a drill you feel tight and loose spots.
I should have sent it back. For $300+ a made in USA product this is hard to believe they thought good to go.
I rarely have a problem with tools and generally easy to impress, but not with this product.

 

[Zeus36]

I work on a variety of motorcycles ranging from a Vespa, to a standard (1983 Nighthawk 450), Harleys, to sport bikes and sport touring bikes.

Questions:
1) Which scissor jacks do you own/use and how do you like them?
2) Is there a major advantage to the high-priced US brands over the much cheaper import brands for holding the front/rear end a few inches off of the table for tire changes and similar work?

1) Picked up a Drag Specialties wide version of this:



It is a secondary lift for lowering and raising the rear tire/wheel on my Fatboy for tire changes. Makes lining up the axle much easier. Also good for stabilizing the back section of the bike on the bike lift when removing the front wheel or forks. My GL 1800 has a center stand so this works for lifting the front tire/wheel off the ground. Run it up and down with a M12 drill with an adapter for a 24mm socket, then switch to a Craftsman speedhandle for lifting and lowering the load. Paid $40 for it from a guy during COVID and it looked unused. However it is made in China.

 

[acer66]

Yea, like others have said, they all work OK. Just for info, I got the Handy Universal jack, and as I said, not impressed. The safety pin holes are huge compared to the pin, like double, so you are inserting a 3/16" diameter pin into a 3/8" hole or whatever. Sloppy. Then the vertical mounts for the frame adapters are not mounted flat, like 10 degrees off. Oh well still works. The adapters have huge amount of slop, so if you use the frame adapters you can rock the motorcycle several inches as the adapters flop around in addition to 10 degrees out of vertical. The wormgear is not straight and wobbles majorly, so if you use a drill you feel tight and loose spots.
I should have sent it back. For $300+ a made in USA product this is hard to believe they thought good to go.
I rarely have a problem with tools and generally easy to impress, but not with this product.

Have you talked to them?
I was close to get a decked out Handy lift including a jack and that would have been very frustrating and also surprising considering their reputation.

 

[Notgrownup]

I have a cheap Ebay scissor lift I got for like $50. I use it on both my Electra Glide and Tri Glide

 

[elcom]

My understanding is that Handy has a lifetime limited warranty (https://www.handyindustries.com/warranty/). Perhaps they would be willing to fix or replace.

The price for the scissor lift(s) is now closer to $500; 4-9 times higher than the import lifts. With that kind of price difference, I would expect a much better product. Does not seem like that is necessarily the case.