New Review: TRIKE AIR LIFT jack from J&S Jacks for Harley Tri Glides

[Rooster57]

...Just got this air jack from J & S Jacks the other day.......It took me almost 6 weeks for it to arrive as they are that far behind filling orders at "This moment" due to a back order difficulty in getting the actual hydraulic jack bottle used in making this stand..........However, I understand they are in the process of changing their supplier which would improve their mfg demand schedule........After talking with a very nice lady named Makala (I'm sure I misspelled the name), when I placed the order; It was clear to me that these Harley Tri Glide jacks are in hot demand!

........anyway, when it arrived via Fed Express truck, of course the shipping box was somewhat mutilated as I expected (it weighs around 100 lbs)..but all in all, the content survived the trip.

.....after studying the components of the box, it wasn't too hard to figure out how to assemble the jack (only 3 or 4 pieces to put together)........I did have to drill down a small amount of weld at one location on the massive frame to allow a bolt to align with a hole = where the handle bracket bolts on to the frame...(no big deal here...this things' frame is extremely well made with very heavy welds)....and it the unit has a "Top Notch" paint job too!

.....When assembled, it is quite impressive and appears to be built very well and sturdy.

..........Important to note that this jack can only be used by placing it under the LEFT SIDE as they said on their website. (it is apparent when you try to use it for the first time)

............After applying some air to the jack and nervously raising the trike up in the air for the first time, I checked for sturdiness of the Tri Glide....It was very firm!!!

..........Note: even though this is the air lift version of the jack, it still has the standard floor jack assembly on it that lets you pump it manually with your foot as well. (good in case you don't have an air compressor handy)

....Now for my personal opinion verdict of this air jack = ABSOLUTELY AWESOME!!!!! (well worth the wait)....no more floor jacks for me! (YEY!)...wish I'd had it when I replaced my brake shoes a couple of weeks back or when I previously installed some new rear shocks....this jack would have been great.

........Worth noting: I have already installed an oil filter relocation kit to the lower rear area of the trike....The oil filter kit is from DK Customs Products and is installed per instructions (also a great item!) and in no way interferes with the use of this jack.... the jack lift brackets never touch the oil filter kit mount. All is good!

.....but I gotta' tell ya...even though this is a great lift jack for the Harley Tri Glide: "The thang ain't cheap!" ....Yeah it's pricey, but damn nice to have!

.....I know there are other fine jacks for trikes out there on the market....but this one is the only one I've now personally used and cannot speak about the other brands with knowledge.

.....this jack can be found at https://jsjacks.com website if any one wants to know.

........below are some pics I took (if they show clearly or at all as I'm new at posting pics here and I hope they come out large enough but they seem small when placing them on page):

[Rev J]

If it's made by J & S it's well made. I don't have the trike jack but bought the motorcycle one and was well pleased. That thing is built tough for sure. Thought about trying to modify mine for the Triglide at some point. Enjoy!

[FuzzyWuzHe]

I don't see any tie down areas to strap the trike to the lift. Are there any? If not, do you think they are needed?

[scooterbum46]

Can you get to all the drain plugs with the trike on the jack?

[Rooster57]

I don't see any tie down areas to strap the trike to the lift. Are there any? If not, do you think they are needed?

Hey Fuzzy!

.........No tie downs are necessary.........when this thing goes up, its solid...........on their website commercial, they show a dude stepping up and mounting the seat with his trike already jacked up all the way (18" is max I think?)........I was tempted to try it too, but lost my nerve!

[Rooster57]

Can you get to all the drain plugs with the trike on the jack?

Hey Gerry!

.....when I bought this jack over the phone I asked this same question and they said yes you can get to the plugs...........and they sell a cover drain pan of some sort for a little more bucks.

...........when I previously jacked it up, I meant to verify plug location, but forgot too....(I've only had the jack a couple of days)

.....after coffee time this am, I am going to jack trike up again anyway and wash it..............I will look carefully at drain plug locations and post it here!

[Rooster57]

Hey Gerry!

....Ok, I jacked the tri glide up again and took careful examination of all 3 drains..........Yes, with trike in the air on jack you "can" access all 3 holes..........However, the jacks front frame bracket is so near the drain holes that I think it would get messy (you can see the location of bracket to the Primary drain bolt in the below PICTURE.....Primary drain is located just above the front frame bracket)

........so, for me, I'm gonna just change my oils on the ground as always and save my trike lifting for less puddle dripping jobs!!!!!



....Ride Safe!!!

[Rooster57]

Have since learned that it is possible to insert jack stand far enough back to allow primary drain hole to clear the stand.....I recently stripped my primary drain hole (stupid- but I did it!)....was able to jack trike up with stand arm in position enough to allow me to get a drill bit in hole, then a tap, then a heli-coil thread fitting into primary drain hole.....just barely enough clearance from stand arm....but it worked! ....without this jack stand (or maybe some other) i would not have been able to get a drill and drill bit under the stripped out primary hole to do the job!

..This Jack saved the day!

[Old Road Dog]

Do believe I'll order one Tuesday morning.

[Coastal TG]

I like my J&S Airlift Trike jack.

That said, don't make bank on the delivery time they publish, mine took almost 2 months and there have been plenty of others who suffered similure delivery issues, also note, they sent out some less than top quality hydraulics here lately, they stated that they had supply issues.

[v4bob49]

I had a J&S lift for my '09 Ultra, so when I traded it for the '15 TG it was a no brainer to get the J&S trike lift. I wouldn't be without it. Use it all the time for washing the trike, it's much easier to clean and polish the wheels when you can spin them. I also use it for oil changes and other service work. And yes, it is very stable. I have climbed on the trike when it's up on the lift. Steady as a rock. And I actually store the trike up on the lift for the winter.

I don't have the pneumatic version though. It was more than a $50 option when I bought mine about 2 1/2 years ago. Figured I could do a lot of pumping with my leg for the extra $$$.

[Bubba49]

Thanks for the review and recommendation. I’m gonna order one today. I also saw on thier website that they offer a 5% discount for veterans, so that’s a plus.

Bubba

[Rooster57]

Hey Dudes!

....do let me say this.....this product is made by a real nice family (the way I understand it)....and their business is growing substantially due to their fine jack stand products and they have a backlog of orders to fill......The reason I'm mentioning this is when you place the order for the Jack you will get an estimated shipping date .....as this date nears, I suggest you make a call to confirm all is going according to scheduled ship date plan just to be sure....(You know the ole' saying - "Squeaky wheel gets the grease!")

....and yes, when I ordered mine she mentioned they were having a problem with their normal supplier of the "bottles" I think she called them (the actual hydraulic jack part).....If memory serves me correctly she said they had previously been using a 12 ton bottle (but their suppliers are not keeping up with their demand) and they were gonna switch to a new supplier and go to an 8 ton bottle which would be way more than enough for this use and provide a more steady supply of bottles for their stands..........I actually got mine with the older stocked 12 ton bottle installed and let me just say its a monster and way larger than it needs to be.............Methinks the newer 8 ton bottle should be more than plenty enough to lift a Harley 1200 Lb Tri Glide!

.........This is how I remember my conversation with them when I ordered mine this past winter...........(don't know how it all worked out)

......They would'nt do it if there was any question about performance, I do believe! (I also remember her saying that they always provide much larger bottles than necessary and will continue to do so no matter what)

......anyway, that's all I know...and this info is now a few months old...........Really, Its a great stand!!!!! (remember, if you get something really good but pricey, you'll eventually forget how much you paid for it.......But, if you get something cheap and shoddy - you will never forget that you didn't get the good one!!!!!!)

Cheers!

[JMTTECH]

I just saw a post from late 2016 that the crossover change Harley made on the 2017 was a problem. Has this issue been resolved? I have had one on order for nearly 6 weeks and now I'm concerned it won't work?

[Rooster57]

I just saw a post from late 2016 that the crossover change Harley made on the 2017 was a problem. Has this issue been resolved? I have had one on order for nearly 6 weeks and now I'm concerned it won't work?

I don't know....but I can't imagine why it would be a problem....the jack hits the frame in 2 locations to raise.........unless HD has changed the frame dimensions or something on the 2017?

.......Perhaps you should call them and ask? .....tell'um to hurry up with your order too!!!!!!

[nucseal]

I just saw a post from late 2016 that the crossover change Harley made on the 2017 was a problem. Has this issue been resolved? I have had one on order for nearly 6 weeks and now I'm concerned it won't work?

The problem with the J&S jack for 2017 and newer was resolved by moving the jack over to the left side of the bike for raising the tri glide. Previously the 2016 tri glide was raised from the right side.

[PanheadSteve]

I’m looking at order a J&S jack since they have them on sale now. Can anyone tell me if they work with a midstep?

thanks

[Mykneesbehurtin]

I had a J&S jack for my 16 and it worked great. Working from memory the rear support goes under the front of the swingarm. Unless I am doing something wrong I have never been able to remove the rear wheels unless the axle is hanging all the way down as far as the shocks will allow. If this jack will allow the rear wheels to be removed please let me know.

[FirstTrike]

Yes, I have the J & S air jack with the mid steps installed.