Strapped it too hard?
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2014
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From: NY
Strapped it too hard?
So I went on a trip with the bike and had my buddy who has strapped bikes down for 45 years as I never have. We got down to are campsite and all was fine rode a few days no issues. As he was strapping it back down he yelled my shock was leaking! Wtf! He sucks the shocks down pretty good to hold the bike in place no different than the way down or on his bike. Now the shock leaked a good 1/4th quart out. It rides fine but should I have HD look at it? Did he strap it too hard or is it just a freak thing? I'm lost here and don't want to blame him but want to know for the next time I go riding out of state and want to strap it down. Had a great time in WV riding though and had the bikes on a hatfield McCoy atv trail! Haha
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Joined: Dec 2009
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From: New Zealand
Generally you only need to strap the front forks down to hold the bike. The rear simply needs something to stop it being able to move around but doesn't need to be pulled down. As Warp Factor says it sounds like a issue with one shock - maybe a seal gone but you definitely need to get it checked out - bad shock performance can lead to an off
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Southern Oregon
As you found out strapping them down too tight can create problems. I usually only compress my front forks 50% with 2 straps leading forward and angled to the sides then lock the front tire into the wheel chock with another strap so it stays put (compressing the front forks too hard can blow a seal). I strap the rear to eliminate any side to side movement but I dont compress the shocks
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2014
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From: Rocket City
Strapped it too hard?
Yup small compression is all that is needed this also allows the shocks to absorb the road bumps as well
I use 2 in the front forward and to the side with on on the wheel chock to secure the tire then the back has one on either side with rear/side tension ( think opposing triangle forces)
I use 2 in the front forward and to the side with on on the wheel chock to secure the tire then the back has one on either side with rear/side tension ( think opposing triangle forces)
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Doghouse... mostly
Evidently your buddy has been doing it wrong for 45 years. As others have said, only the front needs to be secured with minimal restraint on the rear to keep it from hopping over when you hit a bump of some kind.
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From: Galt's Gulch - MI
Why didn't you follow dirtdobber's advise to replace the fork seals and bushings when you posted this the first time? You can keep posting threads or you can fix it and move on to other things... 
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-...k-leaking.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-...k-leaking.html
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2012
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From: Apache Junction
Why didn't you follow dirtdobber's advise to replace the fork seals and bushings when you posted this the first time? You can keep posting threads or you can fix it and move on to other things...
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-...k-leaking.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-...k-leaking.html
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 116
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From: NY
Why didn't you follow dirtdobber's advise to replace the fork seals and bushings when you posted this the first time? You can keep posting threads or you can fix it and move on to other things...
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-...k-leaking.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-...k-leaking.html
To everyone else thank you very much! It's a new bike only 2800 miles on it from this year since I bought it in the spring. I let him strap it as he has done this many times and never had a issue but I'll be doin it from now on! It wasn't strapped even close to 50% of its travel but he did strap the rear down harder than u guys say to. I have to get it to HD and have them check it out before my next trip down south. Thanks again to the guys who give good info without being a dick about it. This is my first bike and I don't know it all like some people think they do.