Learned something about tieing down bikes...
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 539
Likes: 5
From: Penna
Learned something about tieing down bikes...
Had a friend trailer my chopper to the shop for some tuning issues and he tied down the bike alot different than I ever saw. He used a wheel chock that locks in the front tire and allows you to get off the bike and it stayed upright by itself.I had seen these before so that was no big surprise and I have to say it made the tie down a one man operation. What he did from there really had me concerned as it was his belief that to compress the forks was not the best thing to do. He placed a ratchet on both sides of the front wheel just above the fender mount and just pulled the strap both ways straight out away from the bike. He then went to the back at the swingarm and just pulled that on both sides straight out also. I expressed my concern that [I] did not feel real comfortable with this and he said just try to shake the bike and see what you think. UNBELIEVABLE....The bike felt like it was embedded in concrete and I could not even budge it a little bit. Got to where we were going...about 45 miles and the bike was still as solid as ever. I was always taught to compress the forks to stop the up and down motion and eliminate the straps loosening up, this method was definetly alot easier and solid than doing it the "old" way. He explained that in his mind you do more damage to the forks and seals by compressing them and keeping them under a load than if you just allow them to move a little naturally during trailering.He claims all you need to do with this method is stop the bike from moving sideways. He has traveled from Pa to Florida and Sturgis numerous times with 5- 6 bikes in his trailer this way so I certainly think his method has proven itself. Thought sharing this might help someone.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
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I have only ever seen the 'compressed' version of trailering. As far as I know, you never really compress them fully, so there is always a little 'play' during transit (Even with the front wheel embeded in a wheel chock). This just limits the range of bounce during hwy travel.
Compressing the back end helps to limit the amount of 'migration' that will naturally happen when the bike bounces during transit. Having it either tethered off on either side or having some sort of wheel block on the back tire will also help it to stay put.
Keeping the transmission in neutral will also help to prevent excessive wear during transit.
Compressing the back end helps to limit the amount of 'migration' that will naturally happen when the bike bounces during transit. Having it either tethered off on either side or having some sort of wheel block on the back tire will also help it to stay put.
Keeping the transmission in neutral will also help to prevent excessive wear during transit.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Penna
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,920
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From: Upstate New York
actually,,,, all my years of haulin race bikes,,, and the fork compression issues,, I always
wondered why, we (racers) , never hand suspension tie downs..?
From the Top of our trailers,,, nothing would ever fall!~!!
Maybe, I should invent this new item,,, "Tie-Ups"
Just like the medicated moisturised Butt wipes,,, That was my idea ,,,, long time ago!!!
wondered why, we (racers) , never hand suspension tie downs..?
From the Top of our trailers,,, nothing would ever fall!~!!
Maybe, I should invent this new item,,, "Tie-Ups"
Just like the medicated moisturised Butt wipes,,, That was my idea ,,,, long time ago!!!
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 539
Likes: 5
From: Penna
actually,,,, all my years of haulin race bikes,,, and the fork compression issues,, I always
wondered why, we (racers) , never hand suspension tie downs..?
From the Top of our trailers,,, nothing would ever fall!~!!
Maybe, I should invent this new item,,, "Tie-Ups"
Just like the medicated moisturised Butt wipes,,, That was my idea ,,,, long time ago!!!
wondered why, we (racers) , never hand suspension tie downs..?
From the Top of our trailers,,, nothing would ever fall!~!!
Maybe, I should invent this new item,,, "Tie-Ups"
Just like the medicated moisturised Butt wipes,,, That was my idea ,,,, long time ago!!!
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 8
From: Minneapolis Area, MN
What brand was the wheel chock?
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Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 529
Likes: 0
From: Smoky Mountains
I use the small locking wheel chock that I purchased from Harbor Freight. I agree when the chock is used it becomes an instant one person operation.
I still use the same tie down locations in the front, but with less down force on the forks. The rear tie down locations are the rear floorboard mounting brackets.
The bike, at least to me, seems to be just as secure with chock and without all the excess down force on the forks.
Just my 2 cents
I still use the same tie down locations in the front, but with less down force on the forks. The rear tie down locations are the rear floorboard mounting brackets.
The bike, at least to me, seems to be just as secure with chock and without all the excess down force on the forks.
Just my 2 cents
Last edited by Airpump; Jan 21, 2009 at 06:20 PM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
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From: anacoco, la
one thing that i have always done is to place a block of wood under the frame. then tighten down the straps, the forks compress just a little until the frame contacts the wood. with this, the forks will not over compress and blow seals, or over extend and cause the straps to loosen up. some folks say it isn't necessary, but i feel its cheap insurance,never had a problem with it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Danbury CT
I have a Wheeldock & they don't recommened compressing the forks. from their manual:
occasion).
http://www.wheeldock.com/default_wheeldock.shtml
Strapping Instructions
(See Figures C-F)
Always use a safety strap through the front wheel and attach the end hooks to the anchor
points provided on the WHEELDOCK (see the bottom two photos).
points provided on the WHEELDOCK (see the bottom two photos).
(see page 5 for a full description of our custom built front safety strap.)
TIP:
Compressing the front suspension by strapping down is not necessary or advised.
Always transport your bike by strapping it down and slightly forward from two mid points. Find
a point as high on the bike as possible to tie off to as this will stabilize the bike much better
than a low point. Use good quality straps and only enough compression to remove all the sideto-
side movement. Remember we are stabilizing the side-to-side shake out of the bike for
transporting and not compressing both ends of the suspension. Let the WHEELDOCK do the
work up front. Properly strapping the bike usually requires less suspension compression than
riding the bike. See the top two photos for general strap locations.
a point as high on the bike as possible to tie off to as this will stabilize the bike much better
than a low point. Use good quality straps and only enough compression to remove all the sideto-
side movement. Remember we are stabilizing the side-to-side shake out of the bike for
transporting and not compressing both ends of the suspension. Let the WHEELDOCK do the
work up front. Properly strapping the bike usually requires less suspension compression than
riding the bike. See the top two photos for general strap locations.
NOTE: We use ratchet straps with built-in soft ties and locking hooks when transporting our bikes
to shows and highly recommend these over the cam-lock straps, as those tend to slip and
loosen. Because we leave the suspension room to travel, we recommend locking hooks as
insurance against a strap coming unhooked from the floor rings. You can also use tape around
the hooks or a bungee cord to always keep the hooks in tension.
to shows and highly recommend these over the cam-lock straps, as those tend to slip and
loosen. Because we leave the suspension room to travel, we recommend locking hooks as
insurance against a strap coming unhooked from the floor rings. You can also use tape around
the hooks or a bungee cord to always keep the hooks in tension.
(Before learning this, we had
hooks come loose on several trips to shows; however, the WHEELDOCK held the bike up on each
hooks come loose on several trips to shows; however, the WHEELDOCK held the bike up on each
occasion).
http://www.wheeldock.com/default_wheeldock.shtml