How about this jack for lifting a trike?

[scribe5]

I've been exploring the various ways to lift up my 2005 Champion/GW trike. I found this jack Torin ATV lift — 2000-Lb. Capacity, Model# TR65670 | Motorcycle Stands| Northern Tool + Equipment Repair_Dynamic Campaigns&cm_pla=&cm_ite=t69007&mkwid=sCNDWXSs9&pcrid=22490554889&mt=p and wanted to see what you guys thought of it. I would use my motorcycle jack under the GW engine and use this jack on the back end---with jack stands, of course. It's a bit pricey, but worth it if it does the job. What do you think?

 

[John Luciano]

Looks god to me.. My friend used an ATV jack he bought at Sears. That one looks better.
This would work also
http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=ATV+jack

 

[scribe5]

Thanks, John. I'm thinking the one I found has longer arms to reach farther. I'm going to measure the various, possible lifting points on the Champion to see if it'd feasible. The width on the lift is fixed and can't be varied, so it may not work for me. Do you recommend lifting on the axle (it's a solid axle) or try for the metal frame work?

 

[jfingalls]

Scribe5, I would never lift on the axle for fear that it may bend it. Even a slight bend from (say lowering the jack with a jerky motion) could cause you serious vibration problems in the future. My advice is always lift using the frame when possible. By the way, I bought the Habor Freight jack John showed you and it works great for me!

 

[scribe5]

Scribe5, I would never lift on the axle for fear that it may bend it. Even a slight bend from (say lowering the jack with a jerky motion) could cause you serious vibration problems in the future. My advice is always lift using the frame when possible. By the way, I bought the Habor Freight jack John showed you and it works great for me!

Thanks for the good advice...I have the aluminum Sears motorcycle jack that I plan to use for the engine part or the lift..it's similar to the Harbor Freight lift...I was also thinking of using a pair of these jack stands that also serve as jacks to lift the back end: Powerbuilt 640912 All-In-One 3-Ton Bottle Jack with Jack Stand : Amazon.com : Automotive Tractor supply has them for about $15 cheaper.

 

[rgw5944]

Double check your clearances under the frame rails. Seems like they are to tall to fit. If these do fit underneath, they look like a great option to give you room to work. Let us know what you decide.

 

[scribe5]

Double check your clearances under the frame rails. Seems like they are to tall to fit. If these do fit underneath, they look like a great option to give you room to work. Let us know what you decide.

Upon closer inspection, I think you may be right. I will have to take a look at the lift in person. It might work with a couple of 2x4's attached to the arms to give some lift to clear the fiberglass body in the back.

 

[keepinon]

Pretty sure the Champion sits lower than my MT, but I use the Harbor Freight motorcycle jack on the rear straight axle also. Just center up the differential between the jack arms, raise it up & install jack stands. Then place the jack toward the front of the engine to lift the front.

I don't worry about bending an axle. Heck, that same axle holds up a 3500# auto. I've never had any problems this way. Makes it much easier to service the drive shaft and check differential lube.

 

[scribe5]

Pretty sure the Champion sits lower than my MT, but I use the Harbor Freight motorcycle jack on the rear straight axle also. Just center up the differential between the jack arms, raise it up & install jack stands. Then place the jack toward the front of the engine to lift the front.

I don't worry about bending an axle. Heck, that same axle holds up a 3500# auto. I've never had any problems this way. Makes it much easier to service the drive shaft and check differential lube.

That makes sense ...when I squeezed under the trike to lube up the u-joint, (that was a tight fit :xzqxz it looks like the differential is offset to the right to line up better with the drive shaft, so not sure if centering the differential between the jack arms would work...I gotta get down there and check again. Did you put the jack stands on the axle or on the trike frame?

 

[rgw5944]

"It might work with a couple of 2x4's attached to the arms to give some lift to clear the fiberglass body in the back."
I use two el-cheapo floor jacks and put a 4x4 block on them after I get them placed under the trike rear end. Each jack is set just inside the mufflers where the frame is located. Jacks are easy to store and don't take up the room a MC jack does. I had a Craftsman MC jack and sold it because it would not fit under the rear with the mufflers hanging down as they do. I do not want to lift the trike using the mufflers.

 

[scribe5]

"It might work with a couple of 2x4's attached to the arms to give some lift to clear the fiberglass body in the back."
I use two el-cheapo floor jacks and put a 4x4 block on them after I get them placed under the trike rear end. Each jack is set just inside the mufflers where the frame is located. Jacks are easy to store and don't take up the room a MC jack does. I had a Craftsman MC jack and sold it because it would not fit under the rear with the mufflers hanging down as they do. I do not want to lift the trike using the mufflers.

Another good idea...thanks. I'm a firm believer in doing as much work as I can to save money and make sure it's done and done right. Lifting a trike is something that needs to be done on occasion and done right. I'm glad I found this forum with all the smart and helpful people.

Do you use a motorcycle jack for the front, under the engine or center stand? And do you coordinate the lifting between the two floor jacks in the back and the one in the front to keep the trike level?

 

[eagle1]

i believe yu still won't get the t/g back wheels off of the gnd with and 4 wheeler jack, because the c/g center of gravity is back past the lower frame.even with a 4 wheeler jack, i have to also use a floor jack.
anyway thats how it is with my '09 t/g. have to use a floor jace under the trunk, then put jack stands under the axle.

 

[scribe5]

i believe yu still won't get the t/g back wheels off of the gnd with and 4 wheeler jack, because the c/g center of gravity is back past the lower frame.even with a 4 wheeler jack, i have to also use a floor jack.
anyway thats how it is with my '09 t/g. have to use a floor jace under the trunk, then put jack stands under the axle.

I can see where the center of gravity would be an issue. Thanks for the insight.

 

[rgw5944]

Do you use a motorcycle jack for the front, under the engine or center stand? And do you coordinate the lifting between the two floor jacks in the back and the one in the front to keep the trike level?[/QUOTE]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Maybe it's just me but, I would not attempt to get all 3 wheels off the ground. With my Champion IRS kit and 4.5 degree front rake, I can no longer get any jack under the engine area without driving the front wheel up on a 2x6. With the unevenness of the engine underneath, I have no way of getting a solid flat lift spot. My trike weighs 400+ lbs at the front tire and 800+ lbs on the rear wheels. The thought of messing around underneath all that weight and only a 3 point contact is something I would not consider. It would not be all that difficult to tip the trike forward or backward. Can you give a reason you are wanting to get the entire trike jacked up?

 

[scribe5]

Do you use a motorcycle jack for the front, under the engine or center stand? And do you coordinate the lifting between the two floor jacks in the back and the one in the front to keep the trike level?

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Maybe it's just me but, I would not attempt to get all 3 wheels off the ground. With my Champion IRS kit and 4.5 degree front rake, I can no longer get any jack under the engine area without driving the front wheel up on a 2x6. With the unevenness of the engine underneath, I have no way of getting a solid flat lift spot. My trike weighs 400+ lbs at the front tire and 800+ lbs on the rear wheels. The thought of messing around underneath all that weight and only a 3 point contact is something I would not consider. It would not be all that difficult to tip the trike forward or backward. Can you give a reason you are wanting to get the entire trike jacked up?[/QUOTE]

Another good point...since I am new to trikes, I probably can't give a good reason at this point, except for maybe checking the oil in the differential and keeping it level? I have seen pictures on other forums and on different threads of others who have elevated the entire rig. That's why I'm picking everyone's brain and experience...to keep me from making a dumb move.

 

[keepinon]

That makes sense ...when I squeezed under the trike to lube up the u-joint, (that was a tight fit :xzqxz it looks like the differential is offset to the right to line up better with the drive shaft, so not sure if centering the differential between the jack arms would work...I gotta get down there and check again. Did you put the jack stands on the axle or on the trike frame?

Sorry for the late answer, been out of town for a few days.

The MT differential may be offset some... but doesn't look like much. However, the left side does hang lower than the right when lifting. I raise the left side up to the height I want, install the stands each set to equal height, under the axle as far to the outside as possible, then lower onto them.

I use a couple of 2x4's under the motor to clear the exhaust with the jack, then raise it to where I want. All three wheels off the ground by 4-6". It's very stable, has never moved. Even with all the pulling/tugging to remove the twisted drive shaft I got, it stayed put.

As I said, I'm not familiar with Champion, just telling of the way I do it, may spur some ideas for you. Good luck.

 

[scribe5]

Sorry for the late answer, been out of town for a few days.

The MT differential may be offset some... but doesn't look like much. However, the left side does hang lower than the right when lifting. I raise the left side up to the height I want, install the stands each set to equal height, under the axle as far to the outside as possible, then lower onto them.

I use a couple of 2x4's under the motor to clear the exhaust with the jack, then raise it to where I want. All three wheels off the ground by 4-6". It's very stable, has never moved. Even with all the pulling/tugging to remove the twisted drive shaft I got, it stayed put.

As I said, I'm not familiar with Champion, just telling of the way I do it, may spur some ideas for you. Good luck.

It sure does....thanks

 

[Red Wing Yuma]

lifting spots

Scribe5, I would never lift on the axle for fear that it may bend it. Even a slight bend from (say lowering the jack with a jerky motion) could cause you serious vibration problems in the future. My advice is always lift using the frame when possible. By the way, I bought the Habor Freight jack John showed you and it works great for me!

Where is the exact lifting points with a CSC Goldwing 2004 to raise it up? on the rear end? A-arms?

 

[sgmdudley]

This was my GL1500 back in 2006. Still use same method on 2017. Alternative to ride on rear ramps is lifting MotorTrike by frame with the Sears Jack and using the home made blocks you see under the front tire for the rear wheels (I have two of these, I used a 2x4 at each end as a wheel stop) then scissors jack under the engine to get front wheel off the ground. Just did this to remove the front wheel to get a new tire mounted. Avon Trike Cobra Chrome.

 

[Red Wing One]

How high do you want to raise your trike? I simply drive onto a pair of automotive ramps at the rear tires and I then jack up the front end with a sizer jack. It raises the trike 8”......plenty high for maintenance work!