[Stuart Ostroff]

I would like to find a very compact jack, capable of lift the Spyder either from the rear (under the frame ahead of the rear wheel) or from the front - to lift either of the front wheels off the ground.

Before my recent 2600 mile trip I found the most compact scissors jack at a local Auto Zone, for about $25. I decided to carry this jack on my trip so I would be able to service any of the tires, or for other emergency road repairs. However this jack is quite long and took up much space in the front trunk.

So I am searching for a much more compact - mechanical or hydraulic - jack. I think having about a 2-3" lift would be adequate as long as I have a few small wooden blocks on hand. Any ideas out there. If I cannot find something available I will be forced to design and build something suitable!

Stuart

[B1TTEN #509]

Stuart Ostroff, on Mar 20 2008, 04:41 AM, said:

I would like to find a very compact jack, capable of lift the Spyder either from the rear (under the frame ahead of the rear wheel) or from the front - to lift either of the front wheels off the ground.

Before my recent 2600 mile trip I found the most compact scissors jack at a local Auto Zone, for about $25. I decided to carry this jack on my trip so I would be able to service any of the tires, or for other emergency road repairs. However this jack is quite long and took up much space in the front trunk.

So I am searching for a much more compact - mechanical or hydraulic - jack. I think having about a 2-3" lift would be adequate as long as I have a few small wooden blocks on hand. Any ideas out there. If I cannot find something available I will be forced to design and build something suitable!

Stuart

With all due respect. My roadside plan is about the size a pack of cigarettes and a playing card. It is my cell phone and my Foremost Insurance card. Foremost has free Roadside assistance for motorcycles, thanks for the tip BRP.

[Arachnophobic]

Stuart Ostroff, on Mar 19 2008, 11:41 PM, said:

I would like to find a very compact jack, capable of lift the Spyder either from the rear (under the frame ahead of the rear wheel) or from the front - to lift either of the front wheels off the ground.

Before my recent 2600 mile trip I found the most compact scissors jack at a local Auto Zone, for about $25. I decided to carry this jack on my trip so I would be able to service any of the tires, or for other emergency road repairs. However this jack is quite long and took up much space in the front trunk.

So I am searching for a much more compact - mechanical or hydraulic - jack. I think having about a 2-3" lift would be adequate as long as I have a few small wooden blocks on hand. Any ideas out there. If I cannot find something available I will be forced to design and build something suitable!

Stuart

Like this one? Couldn't find the dimensions.

[TharkunRT]

Considering the storage space available for the Spyder, I would suggest finding a small screw jack. They are about the smallest jacks produced, simple/easy. Even the smallest ones made have tons of lifting capacity, and he "wide" surface area of the neck works well. Used these many times when I was a kid, moving houses/buildings. ;)
Also no oil to leak into the storage area, common issue with some hydraulic jacks.

[Nancy'sToy]

Stuart,

I have been struggling with this myself. Thanks for asking the question. Guess after lots of motorcycle touring, we become Boy Scouts, and want to be prepared. I have thought about rubber bag jacks, but they are terribly expensive, and even if you carry a small compressor, they would take forever to fill. The small screw jacks seem compact, but I'm not sure you could slide one under the Spyder if you had a flat. This thing barely clears the ground as it is. Easy to tip, too. The scissors jacks would seem to fit into the low clearances, and are quite versatile and stable, but they are heavy and long. Does anyone at least make one out of alloy? Tucked into the bottom of the trunk, it would at least be less ballast.

If you come up with anything you think will work, please post it. If you try anything that doesn't, let us know, too. We bow to your experience, oh master road burner.

-Scotty

[TharkunRT]

A 4" screw jack could work, but you point about the tire being flat, and fitting a jack under the Spyder is a valid one. One reason I don't see the need for trying to carry tools/jacks to make a tire repair, call a tow truck is my opinion.

[billybob]

Tharkun#409, on Mar 20 2008, 06:43 AM, said:

A 4" screw jack could work, but you point about the tire being flat, and fitting a jack under the Spyder is a valid one. One reason I don't see the need for trying to carry tools/jacks to make a tire repair, call a tow truck is my opinion.

i drew up off the top of my head a light weight small foot operated ,jack that you asemble . 5 piese
lays flat on ground then step un handel to raise . there are some forms of this out there for dirt bikes but all to big . just asemble quikly with aircraft pins. dont know if it would work thought it up and drew it adout 3 min i have into it

[B1TTEN #509]

Tharkun#409, on Mar 20 2008, 12:43 PM, said:

A 4" screw jack could work, but you point about the tire being flat, and fitting a jack under the Spyder is a valid one. One reason I don't see the need for trying to carry tools/jacks to make a tire repair, call a tow truck is my opinion.

That's right CALL a tow truck. I have been discussing this with friends that have picked for years and never had a problem on 2 wheels. I asked what they used and they should me the cell phone.

[Joe T.]

B1TTEN #509, on Mar 20 2008, 09:45 AM, said:

That's right CALL a tow truck. I have been discussing this with friends that have picked for years and never had a problem on 2 wheels. I asked what they used and they should me the cell phone.

with all this crap, people are trying to turn this thing into something it is not, buy a car or ride a motorcycle!

[Arachnophobic]

Stuart Ostroff, on Mar 19 2008, 11:41 PM, said:

I would like to find a very compact jack, capable of lift the Spyder either from the rear (under the frame ahead of the rear wheel) or from the front - to lift either of the front wheels off the ground.

Before my recent 2600 mile trip I found the most compact scissors jack at a local Auto Zone, for about $25. I decided to carry this jack on my trip so I would be able to service any of the tires, or for other emergency road repairs. However this jack is quite long and took up much space in the front trunk.

So I am searching for a much more compact - mechanical or hydraulic - jack. I think having about a 2-3" lift would be adequate as long as I have a few small wooden blocks on hand. Any ideas out there. If I cannot find something available I will be forced to design and build something suitable!

Stuart

Stuart,
When I tour on my Goldwing (many times in very remote locations) I carry tire plugs and a compact 12v air compressor. Hopefully this will get me to a service center. I plan on carrying the same on the Spyder.

[2faston3]

Stuart:

Now where are you going to stow the spare tire, now that the trunk is full of jack. LOL

2faston3

Stuart Ostroff, on Mar 20 2008, 12:41 AM, said:

I would like to find a very compact jack, capable of lift the Spyder either from the rear (under the frame ahead of the rear wheel) or from the front - to lift either of the front wheels off the ground.

Before my recent 2600 mile trip I found the most compact scissors jack at a local Auto Zone, for about $25. I decided to carry this jack on my trip so I would be able to service any of the tires, or for other emergency road repairs. However this jack is quite long and took up much space in the front trunk.

So I am searching for a much more compact - mechanical or hydraulic - jack. I think having about a 2-3" lift would be adequate as long as I have a few small wooden blocks on hand. Any ideas out there. If I cannot find something available I will be forced to design and build something suitable!

Stuart

[Ryno]

slime makes the smallest 12V air compressor. its only 30 bucks.. I carry one of those and a standard plug and go kit. Any more than that and Ill have a cut side wall, and will have to call someone.

as far as the comment of "with all this crap, people are trying to turn this thing into something it is not, buy a car or ride a motorcycle!"


I will make the spyder exactly what it is.. My Spyder. [u]

I only hope you will do the same Joe T. And if riding factory is your thing go for it..


I refuse, like many others on this site do, To keep it factory.

See you all in gatlinburg

[Director]

Ryno, on Mar 24 2008, 08:48 PM, said:

slime makes the smallest 12V air compressor. its only 30 bucks.. I carry one of those and a standard plug and go kit. Any more than that and Ill have a cut side wall, and will have to call someone.

as far as the comment of "with all this crap, people are trying to turn this thing into something it is not, buy a car or ride a motorcycle!"
I will make the spyder exactly what it is.. My Spyder. [u]

I only hope you will do the same Joe T. And if riding factory is your thing go for it..
I refuse, like many others on this site do, To keep it factory.

See you all in gatlinburg

Right on, Ryno. It seems that Joe T. is the ultimate self-proclaimed authority on what truly constitutes a Spyder. This isn't the only thread in which he has beaked off on this subject. The Spyder cries out for individualization. Highway pegs and chrome aren't my thing, for example, but if they float someone's boat, then go for it. If you want to travel, extra luggage space is imperative. This will mean add-on detachable bags. On the other hand, if you just want to profile to the local Dairy Queen, I guess you don't need "all this crap". Real riders, however, do.
BRP describes the Spyder as a "sport touring machine". A lot of the add-ons are necessary to make it properly fulfill this role.
Cheers,
Bruce

[TharkunRT]

Director, on Mar 24 2008, 08:22 PM, said:

Right on, Ryno. It seems that Joe T. is the ultimate self-proclaimed authority on what truly constitutes a Spyder. This isn't the only thread in which he has beaked off on this subject. The Spyder cries out for individualization. Highway pegs and chrome aren't my thing, for example, but if they float someone's boat, then go for it. If you want to travel, extra luggage space is imperative. This will mean add-on detachable bags. On the other hand, if you just want to profile to the local Dairy Queen, I guess you don't need "all this crap". Real riders, however, do.
BRP describes the Spyder as a "sport touring machine". A lot of the add-ons are necessary to make it properly fulfill this role.
Cheers,
Bruce

Just my observation and opinion as usual.

You make a point about Joe T being a self-proclaimed authority, but in the same post, you then state if one does not use detachable bags, that person is just riding to the local Diary Queen and is not " Real Rider ".

Spyder riders like myself and weed from the pics he post, are not real riders according to your thoughts. Since we seem to make extended trips, by stuffing all the needs in a large bag that can be easily removed from the Spyder when stopping for the night, not buying brackets, luggage, making mods to allow fitting on a Spyder. So there are alternatives to everything, including hanging detachable baggage on our Spyder.

Just a different perspective.

[Director]

Tharkun#409, on Mar 25 2008, 12:04 AM, said:

Just my observation and opinion as usual.

You make a point about Joe T being a self-proclaimed authority, but in the same post, you then state if one does not use detachable bags, that person is just riding to the local Diary Queen and is not " Real Rider ".

Spyder riders like myself and weed from the pics he post, are not real riders according to your thoughts. Since we seem to make extended trips, by stuffing all the needs in a large bag that can be easily removed from the Spyder when stopping for the night, not buying brackets, luggage, making mods to allow fitting on a Spyder. So there are alternatives to everything, including hanging detachable baggage on our Spyder.

Just a different perspective.

Point taken. Sorry if I threw a net that was a little too broad. There are certainly alternatives to detachable bags, and if you are able to make do with them, then more power to you! I was really directing my comment at those who do not understand the Spyder is truly a sport-touring machine, and not just intended for local bar hopping.

Regards,

Bruce