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Craftsman Motorcycle Jack?

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#21 ·
I have that Sears jack. I used it for years with my Suzuki VS800. Its a great jack.... just not for my RM. One of the problems with that jack and the RM is that the oil lines on the right side of the bike are below the frame. So, with the craftsman jack you are going to have to use hockey pucks, 2x4. or some other shim. I tried that but just was not comfortable with how shaky it was. One mistake in placement and I'm going to crush something important. Others have had good luck with it though. So, I got a J&S with the Indian adapters. The J&S is fantastic.
 
#23 ·
djohn said:
I have looked at the Harbor Freight Jack but I just don't like it. I don't trust Chinese tools...life's to short. But I got this Sears offer in my email and wondered if anybody here has tried this one. Our local Sears store is all but closed so I would have to order it sight unseen. Is it quality or just another heartache that's gonna send my new Roadmaster crashing to the floor? Here's a link...

Welcome to Sears.com
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Since you brought it up ......... where was the SEARS lift.... manufactured ? Just Curious
 
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#25 ·
I use the red Craftsman on my Roadmaster all the time without any problems. As VARoller mentioned you have to be careful not to damage oil lines, clutch cable, etc. I use 1” styrofoam strips on top of the jack that compress around everything and offer protection as I lift the bike; no problems after dozens of lifts.

In addition to the concerns others have voiced about the aluminum jack you originally posted I would be worried about stability caused by the lack of distance between the wheels at the rear of the jack, they’re simply to close together for my comfort.
 
#26 ·
ForPop said:
I too have the red model Craftsman Motorcycle/ATV Jack Have not used it on the Chieftain(so, no idea on fit) but have lifted half ton three wheelers with it, without a problem. Most important advice I can offer on any jacks of this style is you have to find your bikes center of weight distribution, and as K2V2 stated...use the straps.

Some bikes require a lifting plate adapter. Perhaps someone will chime in if that's the case with this style jack when used on various Indian models?
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I have the same one. Paid about $60 for it used. I used to lift my Vulcan on it all the time. That bike weighed somewhere around 800#. Should have no problem lifting the RM when I eventually get the bike back to my house where the jack is.
 
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#28 ·
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Discussion starter · #29 ·
Thanks for all the input guys. At that price point I assumed that it was made in China, but didn't think about it being aluminum. I think I will keep looking.
 
#32 ·
I have the yellow aluminum Craftsman jack that I bought used. I really like it and would like to buy one for my son. Those all steel jacks (I have a red Larin, similar to the steel craftsman) are pretty heavy to move around and store etc. The yellow jack is a lot lighter but a little more flexible although it handles my Vintage well.

I am thinking about buying the custom made lift pads on sale on ebay, about $59. Maybe I'll make my own. When I lifted the Vintage with the yellow jack I carefully positioned it but didn't use any pucks. Several guys have posted here that they've lifted without special adapters/pucks no problem and I've verified that, still a little risky though?
 
#33 ·
VARoller said:
Owning the Sears jack and having seen the harbor freight aluminum, I'm 90% sure they are same product.
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I have the H.F. version. They call it the Pittsburgh jack. It works fine, but I only lift it as far as I want it to fall. So far so good no Problems.
 
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#35 ·
ForPop said:
I too have the red model Craftsman Motorcycle/ATV Jack Have not used it on the Chieftain(so, no idea on fit) but have lifted half ton three wheelers with it, without a problem. Most important advice I can offer on any jacks of this style is you have to find your bikes center of weight distribution, and as K2V2 stated...use the straps.

Some bikes require a lifting plate adapter. Perhaps someone will chime in if that's the case with this style jack when used on various Indian models?
Click to expand...
I to have the red Craftsman, owned it for 10 years and have never had a problem. It's stable and yes, made of steel and very durable.
 
#36 ·
Big Daddy 1957 said:
I use the red Craftsman on my Roadmaster all the time without any problems. As VARoller mentioned you have to be careful not to damage oil lines, clutch cable, etc. I use 1” styrofoam strips on top of the jack that compress around everything and offer protection as I lift the bike; no problems after dozens of lifts.

In addition to the concerns others have voiced about the aluminum jack you originally posted I would be worried about stability caused by the lack of distance between the wheels at the rear of the jack, they’re simply to close together for my comfort.
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Big Daddy, I have used this same jack on my Road King for many years. Have been reluctant to use on the Roadmaster but you seem to have found a way to make it happen. Gonna give that styrofoam a try buddy. Thanks.
 
#37 ·
I have one of the red craftsman jacks and it has worked ok for the last 15 years. I'm not going to say it's great or the most stable or even good for someone with a heart condition but it keeps the bike in the air when I really need it.
 
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frankm
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