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Tieing Down the Front End when Trailering
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 1
From: Ocean Springs, MS
RE: Tieing Down the Front End when Trailering
ORIGINAL: sleepneagle
Do not use "Canyon Dancer" on a Harley. You should not tie down using the bars since they are shock (rubber bushing) mounted. This will cause the mounts to fail.
Do not use "Canyon Dancer" on a Harley. You should not tie down using the bars since they are shock (rubber bushing) mounted. This will cause the mounts to fail.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 10,058
Likes: 8
From: MEXICO
RE: Tieing Down the Front End when Trailering
ORIGINAL: surv1
The easiest and safest way to tie down a bike is with a harness called a Canyon Dancer. It crosses over the bike, slips over the grips, and has a tie-down loop at the outside of each end. You hook your tie down straps to these, and tie it down, compressing the front end some. Tie down the rear in the normal fashion and get on down the road.... No tieing to the triple trees or fork legs, no chafing or scratching the paint or chrome. You can have the bike securely tied down and be on the road in 5 minutes. I've been using them for several years, and used them on both my Springer and Goldwing on 500+ mile tows without ever a problem. They can be found at most bike shops and go for $29.95. Best tie-down you'll ever use.
www.canyondancer.com
or
http://www.discount-tie-downs.com/ca...l.php?prod=CDH
The easiest and safest way to tie down a bike is with a harness called a Canyon Dancer. It crosses over the bike, slips over the grips, and has a tie-down loop at the outside of each end. You hook your tie down straps to these, and tie it down, compressing the front end some. Tie down the rear in the normal fashion and get on down the road.... No tieing to the triple trees or fork legs, no chafing or scratching the paint or chrome. You can have the bike securely tied down and be on the road in 5 minutes. I've been using them for several years, and used them on both my Springer and Goldwing on 500+ mile tows without ever a problem. They can be found at most bike shops and go for $29.95. Best tie-down you'll ever use.
www.canyondancer.com
or
http://www.discount-tie-downs.com/ca...l.php?prod=CDH
I'd never use a harness like that on my beach bars, I'd end up having "tatanka bars" instead of the Beach ones...
Regards.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,879
Likes: 0
RE: Tieing Down the Front End when Trailering
We trailer ALOT of bikes to ALOT of Rallys, and transport alot of bikes, here and there, we always use POWERTYE straps, that have built in softies, with fleece covering, and go around the bottom triple tree and fork. Bikes with faings are a little bit harder, but with the built in soft ties it's a lot easier. YOU have to compress the front end, and drive about 40 miles, and CHECK YOUR STRAPS, they will loosen at least once, anybody that tells you they wont, hasnt trailered many bikes. And only use rachet type straps, the pull type are worthless.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,778
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Tieing Down the Front End when Trailering
yep.. Shooter64 said is right on the $$ - use the ratchet - forget the pull type, and check it a 1/2 hour into the ride. They'll slack out a bit...
I use soft ties/tie extensions around the lower part of the tree at each fork, then hook the tie downs to these and crank down to compress the front slightly - - not all the way or you'll blow it out. I don't hook anything to the bars/grips - I've seen guys end up w/ bent bars.
Tie the back down as well. And BTW...do NOT transport w/ the kickstand down.
Good luck
I use soft ties/tie extensions around the lower part of the tree at each fork, then hook the tie downs to these and crank down to compress the front slightly - - not all the way or you'll blow it out. I don't hook anything to the bars/grips - I've seen guys end up w/ bent bars.
Tie the back down as well. And BTW...do NOT transport w/ the kickstand down.
Good luck
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Tieing Down the Front End when Trailering
Someone awhile back told me about the 'block under the frame' deal... it works great....keeps the fork compression to a minimum and the bikes ride rock solid. I go way overboard with tie downs. I have this nightmare about opening the trailer door and seeing one bike laying on the other.... a real vacation killer! I'd have a hard time explaining to my wife why she can't ride her bike because mine fell over on it... I use two tie downs off the triple trees to compress the bike into the chock....two tie downs on the engine guard for stability....and two more on the saddlebag guards.... I stop after the 1st 30 miles or so...tighten straps....then so a quick check every gas/restroom stop.....
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,056
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, now in So Cal
RE: Tieing Down the Front End when Trailering
I went the extra mile. I put a wheel chock in the bed of my truck. Now I just hook the tie downs to the cross member on the downtubes and it works great!!! The front wheel is steady, I don't have to compress the front suspension as much, etc. I just use two per side just in case one fails. I would do the same if I had a trailer.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,122
Likes: 2
From:
RE: Tieing Down the Front End when Trailering
Nice info. HD of Baton Rouge trailered my bike back in to town, after working on it and all the gas leaked out, and I noticed my front left fork has a small leak now. Tim
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Tieing Down the Front End when Trailering
I don't like to compress the forks. I trailered 4000 miles to/from Sturgis this year - tied off the front at fork tube above fender. Then a second set of straps pulling forward from the front floor boards. Tie down the back from rear floor boards. BUT, MOST IMPORTANT as said above, CHECK the straps several times first couple hundred miles - they WILL loosen up.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Tieing Down the Front End when Trailering
I've had to throw my bike in the back of a pickup for one reason or another and so I never travel without tiedownd. I hook one on each side of the handlebars on the inside bend going up betwen that and the riser clamp. I pull the straps so the forks are compressed at least 3/4 and the front wheel is against the front of the truck bed. I put two more on as back ups. Thats it, nothing more. never a problem. The one thing you don't want is the front end moving up and down on you but you don't want to bottom ou the forks either. As mentioned earlier check the straps now and again. You'll be fine.
Had to do it this summer again as I got a flat 2 1/2 hrs from the nearest HD shop. Some guy pulls in the ditch, we push it on the f350, tied it down as described and off we went.
Had to do it this summer again as I got a flat 2 1/2 hrs from the nearest HD shop. Some guy pulls in the ditch, we push it on the f350, tied it down as described and off we went.