lifting the goldwing

[jimduffenais]

Can anyone tell me where to place the motorcycle jack on a gl 1500 in order to lift it completely off the ground? I want to be able to move it around in the garage and get it completely in the air(just a few inches off the ground).

I know I can lift the front end from front of the engine pan(just behind the oil filter)....but can you lift the entire bike from that as well by balancing and strapping long term ? or is there another lifting spot like a side rail or something that I cant see?

this is the style of jack that Im using

[WingAdmin]

I do this regularly on mine. You can't just put that jack under the 1500 and lift, it will end up lifting it by the exhaust headers, which can dent and crush, and that's a bad thing.

I put a couple pieces of wood along the engine block on either side so that they stick out farther than the exhaust headers, and put the jack on those. It takes a bit of trial and error, but you can lift the bike this way and have it balanced so that both wheels are off the ground. You then really need to strap it down to the jack - don't let it just teeter there, or it can come crashing down if you try to move it.

[FM-USA]

If you're doing maintenance of you bike, that be a good investment.
If you're just moving your bike around these can be an alternative.
Both you need to be careful of side tipping.

[jimduffenais]

Yes I figured some wood along the pan to keep the jack away from the bike parts would be good spacers.

and of course strapping it down by the seat with towels in behind the straps so as not to damage the seat etc.

so I i am reading correctly guys...the bottom of the oil pan/engine block is more than strong enough to lift that bike up without damage?

[jimduffenais]

so in the end the only thing that will be holding the bike up will be the oil pan/block?

[FM-USA]

On the oil pan, I wouldn't, the material in the middle isn't sufficient enough.
ON the pans bolts is so much stronger.
You do see the bike's frame underneath, take some wood blocks and shape to fit or if you can weld, threaded rods for level adjustment.

That's a lot of mass weight, that high.
If you had a Squeaky Clean floor, sure but one solid piece of 'x' ... ouch!

Would you move your bike around after seeing this?

Of course the Wings center of gravity is a little lower.
BUT... they are outrigger bars/rods that will keep it from tipping.

[jimduffenais]

Thanks for all the help everyone. I will be placing the jack as close the the pan bolts at the front and rear of the block to provide best support/strength. I will be spreading out the contact point with pcs of 2x4 on the stand so that nothing comes in contact with the bikes exhaust or otherwise.

I only need the bike off the ground a few inches just to be able the move the bike so i can do a few things throughout the winter. For the most part...the bike wont be moved but maybe a few times.

[FM-USA]

Thanks for all the help everyone.
I only need the bike off the ground a few inches just to be able the move the bike so i can do a few things throughout the winter. For the most part...the bike wont be moved but maybe a few times.

Well then... here ya go.


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Just remember, SQUEAKY CLEAN floor.

[WingAdmin]

First off, your GL1500 has no oil pan. What you're looking at on the bottom (that ribbed area) is the bottom of the engine block. It is plenty strong enough to support the weight of the bike, especially if the weight is distributed by using wood along the length of it on each side as I described.

Second, don't strap over the top of the seat! This is a really good way to damage your seat, and it is not strong enough to keep the bike from falling over like this.

What I do is pull side covers off and strap the bike down from the frame to the jack. If necessary, you can use the seat handles, they are bolted directly to the frame and are quite strong. I wouldn't recommend strapping to the crash bars, they are not meant to withstand downward pressure like this, and can actually be bent fairly easily.

[jimduffenais]

Perfect...i will use the rear grab handles or under side covers frame for strap down.

Thanks.

[FM-USA]

Perfect...i will use the rear grab handles or under side covers frame for strap down.

Thanks.

Keep the tire-down close the the handles bolts and nearest the seat.

JUST A REMINDER.
When lifting on the bottom of the engine.
Use a wide block of wood or plywood so NOT to puncture the case. (see pix)

I'm not doubting WingAdmin that you can lift the whole bike up, it's "IF"
all that pressure were to press on a small area of the block, it will go through.

[RIPUneleven]

I do this regularly on mine. You can't just put that jack under the 1500 and lift, it will end up lifting it by the exhaust headers, which can dent and crush, and that's a bad thing.

I put a couple pieces of wood along the engine block on either side so that they stick out farther than the exhaust headers, and put the jack on those. It takes a bit of trial and error, but you can lift the bike this way and have it balanced so that both wheels are off the ground. You then really need to strap it down to the jack - don't let it just teeter there, or it can come crashing down if you try to move it.

Hi Scott, by any chance to you have a picture of this please, and you place the wood blocks after you remove the shield that's mounted there obviously?