Which MC jack?

dandantmm · 10-17-2009, 10:29 PM

Back in 2002 you had to look to find a MC jack, now several places carry them. What is the concensus on the best one to use? Do you need to fabricate any special brackets for the Nomad? I remember something about hockey pucks under the corners back when I had the 02 Nomad, but that's when the jacks were hard to find. My local Cycle Gear has a Larin jack for $139. There is a Harbor Freight in town which has them for around $80 I believe. And there's the Craftsman one for $99.

billz410 · 10-17-2009, 11:18 PM

Forum member 'Idaho' makes a jack adapter aptly named the Idaho Jack Adapter that many on the forum use. It will work with a variety of motorcycle type jacks. It's said to be the 'cat's meow'.

Many different brands of jacks available- many have HF or Craftsman, and as you already know, the price goes up from there.

VulcanE · 10-17-2009, 11:28 PM

I have the Craftsman, caught it on sale for $79. I also have the "Idaho Jack adapter", and like Bill said, It is "the cat's meow" when it comes to lifting a Nomad.

cactusjack · 10-17-2009, 11:43 PM

I have a Harbor Freight jack I bought a couple of years ago for $69. I also have the Idaho jack adapter. The Cycle Gear jack is way overpriced, in my opinion.

mercianbike · 10-18-2009, 06:41 AM

I've been using the Harbor Freight lift. It seems to be very sturdy.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=2792

**Top Cat** · 10-18-2009, 08:51 AM

I have a Harbor Freight jack and Idaho's adapter. They work great together. You attach the adapter to the bottom of the bike temporarily and remove it when done.
You have to run the bike up on a couple 3/4" boards (one under front tire and one under rear tire) to slip the jack under but that's no problem.
You would have to do this even without the adapter.

sharps45100 · 10-18-2009, 10:01 AM

I have the habor freight jack and the idaho adapter. All i do is attach adapter and then slide jack in part way on right side of bike then grab bike from right side and tilt upright while pushing in jack. very simple and don't need 3/4 inch wood under tires

Yellow Jacket · 10-18-2009, 10:45 AM

I have the MAL-2C. It came with a very versitile adapter plate and two ratchet straps. It works very well.

http://www.motorcyclejacks.com/MAL-2.shtml

billz410 · 10-18-2009, 10:55 AM

Those outriggers on that jack look like a nice feature.

mercianbike · 10-18-2009, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top Cat (TC)

I have a Harbor Freight jack and Idaho's adapter.
You have to run the bike up on a couple 3/4" boards (one under front tire and one under rear tire) to slip the jack under but that's no problem.
You would have to do this even without the adapter.

I put a brick under the kick stand. That shifts the bike upright just enough that the Harbor Freight slips right underneath if you are not using Idaho's adapter.

ridemslow · 10-18-2009, 02:05 PM

Harbour freight and Sears are about the same.. matter of availability and choice. Either way I reccomend the Idaho jack adapter, or a homemade one like it with either jack. That way you lift the bike evenly and without wobble that can cause a real headache. ;)

**wompus** · 10-18-2009, 03:46 PM

I have a hydraulic 6000 lb scissor lift I got from a old tire shop. I have a 4X7 table that I designed to set on top of the lift to turn it into a motorcycle lift. It will lift the bike about 3 1/2 feet off of the ground.

I also have a 1939 Indian motorcycle lift that I somehow (don't remember) got my hands on. Anyone who knows me knows I love anything antique!
It had the old ratchet style jack built in to raise it, but it was worn out so I modified a hydraulic tube cylinder, put some wheels on it and made it fit the Nomad. Very stable and you can roll it around.

.

**Top Cat** · 10-18-2009, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mercianbike

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top Cat (TC)

I have a Harbor Freight jack and Idaho's adapter.
You have to run the bike up on a couple 3/4" boards (one under front tire and one under rear tire) to slip the jack under but that's no problem.
You would have to do this even without the adapter.

I put a brick under the kick stand. That shifts the bike upright just enough that the Harbor Freight slips right underneath if you are not using Idaho's adapter.

I stand corrected then Jim.

I thought the jack was to high to go under the Nomad even without the adapter.

dandantmm · 10-19-2009, 09:14 PM

so it sounds like I need to get me an "Idaho Jack adapter". Found the thread on the sale board, now I need to make a trip to Sears and HF to see where I can get the best price.

**Idaho** · 10-19-2009, 09:22 PM

Dan, let me know when you are ready. I'm trying to order ahead of time so that I don't run out and can ship immediately. They are $85 shipped to anywhere in the lower 48.

10-17-2009, 10:29 PM	#1
dandantmm Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Bartlett, TN Posts: 235	Which MC jack? Back in 2002 you had to look to find a MC jack, now several places carry them. What is the concensus on the best one to use? Do you need to fabricate any special brackets for the Nomad? I remember something about hockey pucks under the corners back when I had the 02 Nomad, but that's when the jacks were hard to find. My local Cycle Gear has a Larin jack for $139. There is a Harbor Freight in town which has them for around $80 I believe. And there's the Craftsman one for $99. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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10-17-2009, 11:18 PM	#2
billz410 Advanced Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Dodgeville, WI COLD!!! Posts: 550	Which MC jack? Forum member 'Idaho' makes a jack adapter aptly named the Idaho Jack Adapter that many on the forum use. It will work with a variety of motorcycle type jacks. It's said to be the 'cat's meow'. Many different brands of jacks available- many have HF or Craftsman, and as you already know, the price goes up from there.
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10-17-2009, 11:28 PM	#3
VulcanE Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cartersville, Georgia Posts: 4,838	Which MC jack? I have the Craftsman, caught it on sale for $79. I also have the "Idaho Jack adapter", and like Bill said, It is "the cat's meow" when it comes to lifting a Nomad. __________________ Cliff "VulcanE" Evans 2005 Blue & Silver 1600 Nomad VBA # 320 VROC # 20381
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10-17-2009, 11:43 PM	#4
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Which MC jack? I have a Harbor Freight jack I bought a couple of years ago for $69. I also have the Idaho jack adapter. The Cycle Gear jack is way overpriced, in my opinion. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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10-18-2009, 06:41 AM	#5
mercianbike Jr. Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Front Royal, VA Posts: 1	Which MC jack? I've been using the Harbor Freight lift. It seems to be very sturdy. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=2792 __________________ Jim Lindquist Retired Air Force Vietnam Veteran Patriot Guard Kawanow #263 (November 2007) 262 Prior Posts Login or Register to Remove Ads
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10-18-2009, 08:51 AM	#6
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	Which MC jack? I have a Harbor Freight jack and Idaho's adapter. They work great together. You attach the adapter to the bottom of the bike temporarily and remove it when done. You have to run the bike up on a couple 3/4" boards (one under front tire and one under rear tire) to slip the jack under but that's no problem. You would have to do this even without the adapter. __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4]
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10-18-2009, 10:01 AM	#7
sharps45100 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Maysville, Ky. Posts: 283	Which MC jack? I have the habor freight jack and the idaho adapter. All i do is attach adapter and then slide jack in part way on right side of bike then grab bike from right side and tilt upright while pushing in jack. very simple and don't need 3/4 inch wood under tires
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10-18-2009, 10:45 AM	#8
Yellow Jacket Top Contributor Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Fayetteville, Georgia Posts: 5,792	Which MC jack? I have the MAL-2C. It came with a very versitile adapter plate and two ratchet straps. It works very well. http://www.motorcyclejacks.com/MAL-2.shtml __________________ Bob KawaNOW/VBA 210 Green/Silver 2006 Patriot Guard Riders 2009
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10-18-2009, 10:55 AM	#9
billz410 Advanced Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Dodgeville, WI COLD!!! Posts: 550	Which MC jack? Those outriggers on that jack look like a nice feature.
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10-18-2009, 02:05 PM	#11
ridemslow Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chesapeake, Ohio Posts: 1,537	Which MC jack? Harbour freight and Sears are about the same.. matter of availability and choice. Either way I reccomend the Idaho jack adapter, or a homemade one like it with either jack. That way you lift the bike evenly and without wobble that can cause a real headache. ;) __________________
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10-18-2009, 03:46 PM	#12
wompus Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gainesville, Ga. Posts: 1,950	Which MC jack? I have a hydraulic 6000 lb scissor lift I got from a old tire shop. I have a 4X7 table that I designed to set on top of the lift to turn it into a motorcycle lift. It will lift the bike about 3 1/2 feet off of the ground. I also have a 1939 Indian motorcycle lift that I somehow (don't remember) got my hands on. Anyone who knows me knows I love anything antique! It had the old ratchet style jack built in to raise it, but it was worn out so I modified a hydraulic tube cylinder, put some wheels on it and made it fit the Nomad. Very stable and you can roll it around. . __________________ Mike "WOMPUS' Nieznany 1999 Nomad "Fronkensteen" Viet Nam Vet 68-69-70 KawaNOW #00577 I'm sarcastic and have a smart ass attitude. It's a natural defense against DRAMA, BULLSHIT & STUPIDITY!!
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10-19-2009, 09:14 PM	#14
dandantmm Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Bartlett, TN Posts: 235	Which MC jack? so it sounds like I need to get me an "Idaho Jack adapter". Found the thread on the sale board, now I need to make a trip to Sears and HF to see where I can get the best price.
	0

10-19-2009, 09:22 PM	#15
Idaho Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pocatello, Idaho Posts: 5,241	Which MC jack? Dan, let me know when you are ready. I'm trying to order ahead of time so that I don't run out and can ship immediately. They are $85 shipped to anywhere in the lower 48. __________________ Idaho (aka Curmudgeon) Blue Knights Idaho III VBA #110 VROC #24864 IBA #49753 2007 Nomad 86,000 miles Bud Smalley Pocatello, Idaho Idaho Jack Adapter
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