I have a trolley jack that I used for my VL800 Volusia, I was considering using it for when I do work on the XVS as it has the two chassis rails for the jack to sit under. However looking at the rails it seems the engine block is a bit lower than the rails so the jack would be lifting from under the engine rather than on the rails. Is this ok, might be a daft question but wondering how others use (if they do) a trolley jack

image here

 

4 pieces of good timber, with "V"s cut into them, spaced on the same centres as the two frame rails, secured onto the lifting platforms

Might be perfectly safe but Id just use that lifter to lift the bike, then lower it onto stands before working on it

Makes sense I will get my woodwork apron out