Fateddy responded to a post on how to raise/support an XJ for maintenance work and his response was quite good. I've added it below for future use by all:
How to lift/support the XJ for maintenance work:
fateddy wrote: With a couple chunks of wood to work around the headers, you can lift it up with a jack by the frame.
You can try to find a center stand, which you should do anyway because they're awesomely handy.
You can get a swingarm stand. They're pretty helpful as well, and a good way to just store the bike in the garage upright anyway. Harbor Freight has one that works OK, and the basic one from Cycle Gear is just as good as a lot of the pricier options.
Tilt it up on the side stand till the wheel comes off the ground. Shove a block under the swingarm. Tilt the bike back onto that block till the wheel comes off the ground, and shove a block under the other side of the swingarm. Won't be stable.
Pull the bike under a tree or something, throw a strap through the subframe, and use a comealong to get the rear wheel in the air.