[DonBenito]

Made this tonight with nothing more sophisticated than a hacksaw, a decent file, and the input of a pretty dang smart woman.



Cobbled together from 2 crutches purchased for $5.00 from the local goodwill.



My initial plan was to make a 2-piece sliding assembly that could be adjusted by several inches, but the little lady observed that by shortening one sleeve and using the shortened snap-button ends of both crutches I could have a lot more range in 4 pieces than 2 with less overall compressed length for storage. I knew there was a reason I married that gal!



There's a lot of variation between sets of crutches, but these were originally made for a very tall person. Here's what's left of them:



Short adjusts to 11 5/8, 12 5/8, 13 5/8, or 14 5/8

Long adjusts to 16 3/4, 17 3/4, or 18 3/4

And all 4 pieces disassembled

The shorty ends clicked into the short sleeve and the 11 3/4 extension both pack away at less than a foot, so you get a lot of range in a jack stand in a pretty compact package. I'm, er, the wife probably isn't the first to come up with this, but I thought it was worth sharing just in case.



Here's hoping none of us ever need one out on the trail!

 

[TW-Brian]

Thanks for the great tip! I've been watching craigslist for awhile trying to snag a pair of crutches, but so far no luck. When I do find a pair, I'll use your suggestion.



Brian

 

[DonBenito]

Thanks for the great tip! I've been watching craigslist for awhile trying to snag a pair of crutches, but so far no luck. When I do find a pair, I'll use your suggestion.



Brian

As long as we're swapping tips, What exactly do you have going with that low-pro topcase? I've been admiring that for awhile and thinking about ordering a cycleracks rear rack and putting something similar together for myself.

 

[TW-Brian]

The following storage tube link details how I originally mounted a Pelican case directly onto the rear fender (starting at post #36).



http://tw200forum.com/index.php?/topic/241-the-famous-storage-tube/page__st__30



That arrangement worked well for light duty service for about 1,000 miles or so until my son dumped the bike on the left side and then I dumped it on the right side. I now have a rear Cyclerack with the case/storage tube arrangement mounted to that and it is rock solid. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of the current mounting. Let me know if you are interested and I'll take some this weekend.

 

[lizrdbrth]

Thanks for the great tip! I've been watching craigslist for awhile trying to snag a pair of crutches, but so far no luck. When I do find a pair, I'll use your suggestion.



Brian

Thrift stores are usually littered with them for a few bucks a pair. Try the Salvation Army, Goodwill, etc.

 

[Gerry]

Second hand/thrift stores that are frequently run by various organizations (charitable) are frequently over-run with crutches and those adjustable walkers. I attached a piece of contoured channel to the top of my jack. With this, it will embrace the swing-arm snugly and does an 'ok' job of holding the fork by engaging the hole in the bottom of the fork tube. I have used mine to go through the motions of a practice rear tube repair. Gerry

Don, you put together a pretty nice unit, hope you don't mind my additions. The jacks are indeed, very handy. Boy Russ, don't tell me you while away the hours in thrift stores as well. One of my local favorites is the "Senior Center" store. There I can get a discount on 'walkers'.

Gerry

 

[lizrdbrth]

Great minds shop alike

 

[TopPredator]

I was interested in buying the SnapJack V2 off Amazon when I discovered this Thread. I happen to have a set of crutches

 

[RockyTFS]

I've had mine for 6 years now, makes lubing the chain a snap.

 

[TopPredator]

The SnalJack V2 is a pretty nifty jack.

 

[Fred]

Here is another thread on affordable home built options. I kept my crutches intact figuring I just might need them again Eat your heart out MrBracket, I made a stick!

I thought the comedy and wit in the thread was as good as the creativity shown.
Plus the linked "Similar Threads" are informative and entertaining reading.