Harbor Freight motorcycle jack mod for Harley Dyna

[@bluesriderDF]

Well, I had my Dyna Low Rider for 6 years & 1 month, until a deer jumped out in front of me on 5/24/24. The Low Rider has been totaled, making me very sad to lose such a great bike. I used the HF jack mod I showed in this video many times over these years, and it always worked reliably and solid as a rock. The jack itself is actually 9 years old now, and I also use it for my Street Glide. Best $129 I've spent on bike tools!

[@TheNewenglandboys]

Like I always say, wear white socks in your sandals when you work around heavy stuff! That way you can easily see where the blood is coming from if the jack fails. 🤣

[@bluesriderDF]

Ha ha! Funny you mentioned this, because last winter I went out to the garage for something "real quick" and ended up slamming my toe into the flipping HF jack!! My toe turned all kinds of purty colors! A guy at work gave me a talking to about always wearing safety shoes when working, so I am extra careful about that now.

[@shovel2683]

3 people don’t like socks with sandals 😂

[@bluesriderDF]

Ha ha!! Gotta be fashion conscious. Maybe I should be wearing steel toe boots!

[@CR-zh8xj]

Great job! Can you do video showing how to secure the bike on the lift using straps? I know it sounds basic, but sometimes, seeing is better than reading or hearing about a skill. Also, once the bike is secured, can you show it being moved? Thanks.

[@NEMOJA]

If you have no idea how to use straps, you shouldn't be lifting any motorcycle off its wheels let alone working on one.

[@itemps]

I didnt mod mine for my late model dyna and it works fine... yes it sits on the rear motor mount a little but it won't cause any harm, it's mostly sitting on the rails

[@ThomasBurritt-i1q]

Done this modification for my dyna, It works, had to cut the bottom frame of the jack to allow for kick stand (mine has been lowered)

[@bluesriderDF]

It worked for me for 6 years. I no longer have the Dyna.

[@budpartlow]

Hi. There is a guy that modified this jacks. He sell a new attachment for any bike. Search "Ryker motorcycle jack" on youtube and will show up. Safer IMHO. GREAT WORK SIR...

[@bluesriderDF]

Thanks! I used this jack config for 6 years. Last month my Dyna was totaled (deer collision). Not a good day! I'm moving on to the new Softail, no more Dynas for me.

[@JeffOyler]

Works great, 2014 Switchback

[@bluesriderDF]

I rode a 2024 Switchback the other day, my first time on one. 🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@gary_somebody7660]

Video is great . 1 question . Can you still use the lift on other bike . I have an electra glide also. Will it work with that with the mod ?

[@bluesriderDF]

The WD-40 was just what I grabbed as a substitute, you're right, not the best choice. I could've used kerosene or machine oil but I didn't give it a lot of thought. Thanks for watching!

[@johneppenauer6772]

Grinder with cutting wheel works 100% faster.

[@bluesriderDF]

I've gotten some better tools since this vid 😊

[@NothingToSeeHere12345]

Just did this mod and found it works great. On the Dyna Switchback (FLD), I had to use 1" spacers on the left arm similar to how you did, but that is enough to clear so that the bike is lifted by the frame rails. Things just barely fit - width is within a half inch of minimum, and height is even tighter than that, but it does work. At first, I had the bolts tightened down too much and didn't allow movement between the moved parts. I loosened things up a bit and works great. Thank you for posting this - I really appreciate it.

[@bluesriderDF]

Cheap and effective 👍

[@NothingToSeeHere12345]

@@bluesriderDF I think I spent about 8 bucks in bolts and fasteners at Home Depot. It was in with some other stuff, so I don't know exact total, but I think that's about right. FYI: for cutting metal with a sawzall, find a blade called "the torch" - cuts metal like a not knife through butter.

[@bluesriderDF]

@@NothingToSeeHere12345 Will do!

[@Jordan_Torres]

Did your forward controls come with a bracket so you could still mount a crash bar?

[@bluesriderDF]

The bike came with the forwards and the engine/crash guard already installed.

[@johneppenauer6772]

Does not work for a Dyna wide Glide

[@bluesriderDF]

Well that stinks. I've never liked the unusual frame of the Dyna when it comes to lifting it.

[@johnraskovsky9689]

Thanks for this video. I have a similar bike/jack and want to do the same mods. Why did you change the bolt directions and does the kick stand just rest on the jack?

[@bluesriderDF]

John Raskovsky - I changed both directions because of interference. You want to jack pads to be wide enough so one of them is just on the outside of the kick stand and the other clears the bottom of the transmission. It's pretty tight, but doable.

[@johnraskovsky9689]

Thanks, I'll try it!

[@williammorrow3770]

Nice job but WD-40 is not cutting oil by any means

[@beardedm8660]

How long is the threaded section of the bolts?

[@bluesriderDF]

There is a link to the bolts in the description. I believe the threaded part is 2" or so.

[@beardedm8660]

@@bluesriderDF thank you, I already have some that I bought, but didn’t realize the bolts only threaded about 1-3/8” .

[@toddparfitt7571]

I wish you had taken pics underneath the bike before and after to show why you did the mod. It would have made it a little more understandable...

[@bluesriderDF]

Gotcha. On the Dyna, the engine & trans hang a bit lower than the frame rails, so the jack needs to be wide enough to clear them. Otherwise you'd be lifting the bike by the engine or trans instead of the frame.

[@jfkansas5508]

@@bluesriderDF It's actually not the engine and trans exactly. Since the engine and trans sit lower they have welded some metal plates on the frame around where the eng/trans sits lower. This prevents someone from lifting the bike with the engine, however it does also block the stock jacks like these. If those metal plates weren't there you could use a stock jack with some spacers on the pads and everything would be fine. So to lift a dyna with the jacks like these the pads have to be widened to go around those metal guard plates on the frame.

[@ALLOUTWAR13]

is this a problem with all dynas? in order for the lift to be used is to modify it? I have a street bob and I was looking into getting this lift.

[@bluesriderDF]

Yes. Harley makes a "Dyna Twin Cam Service Lift Adapter Kit" for $25 but after reading what others said about it, I didn't want to go with it.

[@fredmeyer3063]

I have a similar jack that I use for my Fatboy Lo; the problem with mine is that it lowers the bike much too fast and there's no way to adjust it

[@bluesriderDF]

I think that's something the newer jacks do. I've seen others with the issue as well. 🙄

[@Voltomess]

And how do you change oil with that lift? seems like there is no room for a drain container......

[@bluesriderDF]

I've never needed to lift the bike to change any of the fluids. I find it very easy to do them on the side stand.

[@Voltomess]

@@bluesriderDF you don't need tomove the bike straight so all the oil can drip? sorry for stupid questions but I got my first bike and soon I have to change the oil before the winter.

[@bluesriderDF]

@@Voltomess What bike do you have? On the Harley twin cam the oil drain is actually on the side of the pan, so it drains out when it's leaned over. The primary drains easily while leaned also. With the transmission, I just sit on it and stand it up for a minute or so to get the last bit out.

[@Voltomess]

@@bluesriderDF I have 07 Dyna street bob

[@bluesriderDF]

@@Voltomess Lift not required. Check this out. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5rHipKpo7aWodE

[@Brad__Gray]

Instead of using shaft collars to space it out you can just space it with nuts. Either way works of course, just what I did

[@robertwells6394]

Would this be the same for 99 FXDWG??

[@bluesriderDF]

The FXDWG is a Dyna, it should fit. If you want me to send some measurements from the jack, let me know.

[@robertwells6394]

Update... did it today, and it does work for 99 FXDWG Thanks for the video assistance

[@bluesriderDF]

Fantastic!!

[@alexortega1397]

On these Lift wider is better less movement from the bike but you should always strap to be safe

[@shameless5868]

For $30 you can get the lift spacers from Harley and you wouldn't have to go through all that

[@bluesriderDF]

I considered those, but the reviews aren't great. I feel this is a more sturdy option. 4 years on and it works great.

[@bentleyblower]

Socks with sandals.....please Sir ...... where is your sense of decency

[@bluesriderDF]

I've come a long way since then! 😄

[@NothingToSeeHere12345]

Once you've got the bike on the lift, do you strap it down?

[@bluesriderDF]

One should. Do I? Well, no. But most of my work is pretty basic, fluids, etc. But ideally, yes, strap locks should be used.

[@11JCRod]

How long are the shaft collars ?

[@bluesriderDF]

They're 1/2", and I have 2 per bolt, 4 total.

[@stanczyzon8587]

Dyna twin cam service lift adapter kit # 98965-99 might have worked too? only $25.95

[@bluesriderDF]

If you read the reviews on that kit, a lot of people are not happy with it. What I ended up with is more sturdy.

[@jasonandapril2007]

The service blocks dont help getting a jack under it!

[@FreeSwimmer]

I just brought the same jack home for my Dyna.. I used a hacksaw to cut the center pipe out. I added all thread to reattach the center of skids, after moving to outside of lift arms. Glad I saw your video. I did a 3 part video of my jack journey today. Its on my channel to add confidence to anyone that sees your video, and isnt sure. From box to modified and cleaned up, less than hour and half.

[@bluesriderDF]

Nice, I will check out your vids!

[@FreeSwimmer]

@@bluesriderDF Im going to take the jack remod a step further.. Where the skids are moved to outside of lift arms, the bolts must be reasonable tight. This causes much friction/wear. Im going to install very thin thrust bearings, between each place that currently has a washer. This will add fluid movement, allowing a tightened fastener.

[@bluesriderDF]

@@FreeSwimmer That should be real smooth!

[@tncoltsfan]

Nothing says Harley Davidson like socks and sandals!! Nice bike.

[@bluesriderDF]

Yeah man, and white socks no less! She's a great bike, 38K on her now, definitely a keeper.

[@tncoltsfan]

@@bluesriderDF Beautiful color, and thanks for the video.

[@waltdudley8375]

How about that bar you cut out? Shouldn't there be something put back to replace that?

[@bluesriderDF]

The jack is very rigid and that bar is not missed. A number of people have done this jack mod without issue. No regrets here. As they say, "your mileage may vary."

[@calmingsoundsoflife8030]

What shocks are you running on your Dyna?

[@bluesriderDF]

Those are stock. They've been ok.

[@kelvinrivas5785]

What are the exactly hard ware you need ? I see new washers , new bolts and nuts , looks to me a spacer or metal bushing . ? If I can get the sizes that would be great

[@bluesriderDF]

Sure, see the video description for bolt size. Spacers, I found some at local hardware store.

[@kelvinrivas5785]

BluesriderDF what’s the measurement of the spacers ? I was thinking if using the bar that you cut in the beginning of the video for spacers . They fit the 1/2 bolt you bought .

[@kelvinrivas5785]

BluesriderDF thanks for the video I did it but I just used the tube as a spacer cut it down to an inch and it works like a charm thanks brother ! Ride safely !

[@bluesriderDF]

@@kelvinrivas5785 Even better!

[@senorgringo2602]

What kind of seat do you have? Looks interesting.

[@bluesriderDF]

That's the stock seat which has a detachable lumbar pad. The bike has forward controls and I need the pad to reach them!

[@indianjoe2075]

The adapters that snap to the frame are like a $25 kit allows you to use the jack with having to try to go around the oil tank

[@bluesriderDF]

I know, but a lot of people have mixed results with those, and they're not the most stable things in the world either. Considering how popular the Dyna is it surprising there aren't more & better options. A J&S jack is $550. 😱

[@indianjoe2075]

The reviews I’ve seen on them have been pretty good I ordered a set I’m not gonna murder a jack with out trying a simple idea first, I believe in working smarter not harder the little ridge protruding from the frame isn’t there to protect the oil tank anyway it’s a frame stiffener so the torque from the engine doesn’t twist the frame

[@bluesriderDF]

@@indianjoe2075 No jacks were murdered in this video. 😁 It's very easy to roll it under and jack up without additional items. I hope the adapters work out for you, however.

[@indianjoe2075]

My wide glide has a little more clearance then a low rider

[@jfkansas5508]

The problem with the adapters is these jacks barely fit under the dynas as it is. Adding more to the frame just makes this worse.