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Well it's been a minute since I posted. I'll be trailering my FLHR for the first time soon on a u haul open trailer, and have a question about the tie downs. How far down to compress the forks, and do I compress the rear also?
Well it's been a minute since I posted. I'll be trailering my FLHR for the first time soon on a u haul open trailer, and have a question about the tie downs. How far down to compress the forks, and do I compress the rear also?
Thanks
i used one of those this spring. I ran the front down as tight as i could and through the rear wheel to the tie downs at the back corners. Honestly with the front, i leaned it over on the stand, attached a strap and made it to where it wasnt loose then attached to the other side and made the bike level. You dont want any play in the suspension because as it compresses the straps will loosen and bad stuff can happen.
It's not always easy to explain exactly how to tie it down on a u-haul. Consider making a trip to a HD dealer to show you how to do it properly. It's not hard to do. But doing it wrong is also not hard to do. And I think that's where you are..
You want no bounce on the bike however you do it, bike dipping or bouncing will work straps loose. Also pay attention to where the ratchet or friction assembly is on the strap in relation to anything it may touch on the bike, wind will vibrate those and it's death on paint or chrome. If in doubt wrap it in a rag or two and tape it up depending on how far you are traveling, seen this go bad a few times for someone.
Does your FL have an alarm? If so, you'll want to disable it or your battery may croak.
Cinch your tie downs to where are isn't more than a quarter inch of movement "side to side" when you try to muscle the bars as hard as you can. (Be aware of possibly pinching wires/cables run along your bars with the hooks.)
Also, you might want to invest in a set of "Canyon Dancers" as they reduce chance of pinching wires. But, they do move the stress to the end of your bars/grips...
Make sure you are in neutral for the ride.
If in doubt add more straps.!!
DONT TRUST handle bars for tie dwn points, as they can rotate pretty EZ
Try to get crash bars, dwn tubes, rear frame, at the top near shocks.
Use rags and electrical tape to stop scratching and abuse.
Use softies. Put them around the front forks above the fender. Ratchet strap them very tight. This way will not compress the suspension. Put almost anything on the back to keep it from moving side to side.
Put the front straps around the lower legs, above the fender mounts lugs as shown:
This works on 99% of the bikes out there. Rear straps, depends on the bike. But you want a location that is the frame or soemthing real close to the frame. You can see in this pick with a Dyna I went around the swing arm. I also use a Condor mounted in the truck, makes it a one man job. This way the front suspension is NOT compressed and free to do it's thing when you go over bumps. Good luck.
What is that WHITE stuff in the background I wonder!??!?!?!?!?
Use softies. Put them around the front forks above the fender. Ratchet strap them very tight. This way will not compress the suspension. Put almost anything on the back to keep it from moving side to side.
Ill be doing this for the first time too. So the front forks should not be compressed ?
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Trailering
