I use a car jack with a 2X6 or something similiar to lift my bike. It works great for light maintenance. If I need to do something that requires me to really crank on the bike, I have someone hold it. I can lift either wheel off the ground. Agreed that it is nowhere near as stable as a bike jack though. I have had the rear swing arm off of my bike with the jack and I replaced the front fork springs with the car jack with no problems. I will probably build a stand to setthe bikeon for those times that I need the bike super stable.

 

Google this:

Sears Professional Motorcycle jack

Thats what I got and its very nice
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