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[spelunker]

I have a '13 S.  Is there a best way to use a lift to get my bike off the ground for tire maintenance?  Could it be as simple as putting the lift under the bike and raising it up, or is there something I need to be careful about?

[Richard230]

I have been using this lift that I bought from Drag Specialties for a while and it works very well on my 2012 Zero S.  I think I paid about $100 for the lift, it has no hydraulics,  so there is no chance of it slowly sinking down when raised.  Fortunately the Zero is balanced perfectly so that it remains stable when using the lift and it seems like both the bike and the lift were made for each other. 

Also, it doesn't weigh too much and collapses down to the size of a (very) large phone book, which makes it easy to store when you are not using it.  The heavy rubber pad on top of the lift helps to keep the bike secure and protects the finish of the underside of the fairing.

[Richard230]

Here is another photo.

[spelunker]

Thanks.  I have a lift that I use with my Goldwing. I guess I was afraid of putting it someplace it shouldn't be and bending something.

[trikester]

On the 2010 bikes they had plastic as the pan which I have cracked and broken using my Motorcycle jack. Fortunately, the 2013's have a metal pan and I've had no problem using my bike jack on my FX.

Using a plastic pan under the bike was not a good idea. But hey, that was way back in the old primitive days of 2010.

Trikester

[CliC]

I use the Craftsman hydraulic m/c jack I already had. It has pin stops at several points along its travel to prevent lowering by bleeding. The only problem I had is that the rubber contact surfaces are narrow rails that are set barely narrower than the Zero's bottom pan. I have to put a piece of plywood on top of them for my peace of mind.

That Drag Specialties jack looks nice, though, and easier to handle. I'll have to look into it.

[yhafting]

I know this is an old thread, but the question i have is related:

I want to use my motorcycle jack* to install a new belt that i get in a few days, but the 2015 SR has a plastic cover at the bottom. 
*http://www.biltema.no/no/Bil---MC/MC/Verkstedutstyr/MC-lofter-680-kg-2000021674/


So far, i have removed the plastic, and lifted the bike on the charger which is metal and all flat. This seems to go well, although i would prefer lifting the frame rather than some electronic component casing...

Is it possible to lift the 2015 SR (or similar) without removing the plastic bottom?. It is a bit tideous, as you would have to remove both the side and the front covers in the process of removing the bottom cover (they obstruct each other).

[Burton]

Is it possible to lift the 2015 SR (or similar) without removing the plastic bottom?. It is a bit tideous, as you would have to remove both the side and the front covers in the process of removing the bottom cover (they obstruct each other).

Lifting the bike from the bottom with the plastic removed (ie on the charger) is 100% safe and suggested for most users.

Outside of that you have to use something like an engine hoist with belt straps through the center of the frame

[johnphillips390]

I know this is an old thread, but the question i have is related:

I want to use my motorcycle jack* to install a new belt that i get in a few days, but the 2015 SR has a plastic cover at the bottom. 
*http://www.biltema.no/no/Bil---MC/MC/Verkstedutstyr/MC-lofter-680-kg-2000021674/


So far, i have removed the plastic, and lifted the bike on the charger which is metal and all flat. This seems to go well, although i would prefer lifting the frame rather than some electronic component casing...

Is it possible to lift the 2015 SR (or similar) without removing the plastic bottom?. It is a bit tideous, as you would have to remove both the side and the front covers in the process of removing the bottom cover (they obstruct each other).

I use an identical lift to that with my 2015 SR, with the plastic in place, no problems so far after about 20 lifts to clean and adjust everything

Cheers
John


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Killroy]

I use a ratchet strap from a beam in my garage.  Stable.

[Kocho]

That is a nice idea! I might try it if I need to lift the bike.

With a jack, for the '15 S/SR/DS/DSR, shouldn't the plastic pan be removed first? Doesn't it deform if left in place? Even without, I'd be hesitant to lift the bike under the charger...

I use a ratchet strap from a beam in my garage.  Stable.

[yhafting]

Lifting the bike from the bottom with the plastic removed (ie on the charger) is 100% safe and suggested for most users.

Outside of that you have to use something like an engine hoist with belt straps through the center of the frame

Thanks for feedback, Burton, John and Killroy. 
I guess i will go with the reccomended solution for now.

Strapping from the roof is unfortunately not an option as my shed is a bit small for fitting a beam that can carry the bike. I will consider lifting on the plastics carefully if needed later, it doesn't look like it would make the bike tip over if it cracked- and as most plastics it should not be too expensive to replace if it would deform or crack.

[yhafting]

I will consider lifting on the plastics carefully if needed later, it doesn't look like it would make the bike tip over if it cracked- and as most plastics it should not be too expensive to replace if it would deform or crack.

I just lifted it with the bottom plastics on, no problems or cracks so far