Lifting the Front End

[Herman]

And no I do not mean using engine power to do so...that will come later  

The only lift I have is a car jack and I want to get the front up so I can take off the front wheel.  Not looking to get a motorcycle lift (at least not in the near future.  $ is a little tight right now), so I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on a poor man's lift for the front.  If I could get the front jacked up somehow and then put a 4x4 on two jack stands under the frame, that might work...but how do I get that front up.

Any ideas?

[duaneparks]

I read on another forum of folks using ratchet straps strung from the rafters in a garage.  If you have a way to to that, I would think it would work.  Hook 'em under the steering head or triple tree maybe.

Duane
87 Magna

[Herman]

I have a finished gurage, so the rafters are covered...although I like the idea.

[MagnaMan]

I use the Poor man's lift (See the tips and tricks in the Moot page) and also screw jacks from my cars. I can put the screw jacks under the swing arms or the frame to secure the bike. Since I don't have straps, I usually have two supports on each side of the bike (poor man's lift and jacks).

Then perhaps you can put a 2x4 under the frame near the front and  use the car jack to lift there instead of lifting on your engine.

[ThomasMagna]

Herman,

I have a pneumatic floor jack that I use to lift the front end of my bike off the floor. I put the bike on the centerstand, slip the jack under the cycle with a 2x6 or 8 between the bottom of the motor/frame and the jack head. It isn't real stable, which is not to say that I was in fear of it tipping over. I have left the bike up on it for a fews days more than once this summer. I don't recommend this if you have over active dogs or kids that may have access to the area. They may accidently knock it over. It is good enough to take the front wheel off though.

[Greg Cothern]

You can use a regular floor jack to lift the front, make sure you break all the bolts loose before lifting.
The floor jack with a 2x4 will be a bit precarious as the floor jack doesnt have a very wide base to keep from tipping over easily.