fork compression with tiedowns
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,446
Likes: 1
From:
Another option is to block the front tire so it can't slide side to side, compress forks about half way and use electrical tape to secure the hooks on the tie downs. If you get any slack the tie downs can't let go. Some of the new straps have safety clips to prevent the hooks from letting go, but the tape does the same thing.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
Another option is to use a wheel dock and tie down using the crash bar. I just trailered my bike 4,000 miles using this method with no problems. Also need to tie the back to minimize side to side movement, although as heavy as our touring bikes are they aren't gonna move much.
Beary
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,989
Likes: 11
From: Right Coast
Never tie-down from the handlebars unless you wish to bend them.
Placing a moderate load onto the forks is needed but there must still be adequate play in order to ride with the trailer. The forks must not be tied-down hard.
Also, remember the tie-downs must pull the bike forward. Do not use ties to pull it rearward.
Always try to tie-off from the frame.
I use 2 ties on the front and 2 ties on the rear, all pulling forward.
I also use a good quality chock....I use a Bike Pro.
Do buy crap tie-downs, spend the $75 bucks or so and get a good set.
Placing a moderate load onto the forks is needed but there must still be adequate play in order to ride with the trailer. The forks must not be tied-down hard.
Also, remember the tie-downs must pull the bike forward. Do not use ties to pull it rearward.
Always try to tie-off from the frame.
I use 2 ties on the front and 2 ties on the rear, all pulling forward.
I also use a good quality chock....I use a Bike Pro.
Do buy crap tie-downs, spend the $75 bucks or so and get a good set.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,895
Likes: 121
From: Southern WV
+1 Have a piece of carpet glued to the 6x6 and a wheel chock in front. 3 quality tie downs, 2 in front(pulling forward in the chock) one in the rear (pulling down and back) to keep the bike centered. Have 5000 miles pulling a SG and a RK in a 6x12 trailer with no problems. Main thing is get quality tie downs. Cheap ones will loosen up while in use.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,328
Likes: 15
From: Pacific Northwest
The 6x6 idea works great but don't worry about compressing the forks if you don't have a 6x6 - they'll survive just fine. What IS scary is tying off to the fender mounts or crash bar without the benefit of a locking chock. It's a big heavy bike and it needs stabilization and you can't get that from the crashbar or fender mounts - only from the bars (and it won't bend the bars either).
If you don't have a 6x6 DO compress the forks as far as possible. If any travel is left you run the risk of the suspension compressing allowing the strap to detach. You can also hook a rubber bungie to the top and bottom of the strap to ensure it stays. attached. Use ratchet straps only - leave the others for dirt bikes.
If you don't have a 6x6 DO compress the forks as far as possible. If any travel is left you run the risk of the suspension compressing allowing the strap to detach. You can also hook a rubber bungie to the top and bottom of the strap to ensure it stays. attached. Use ratchet straps only - leave the others for dirt bikes.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,741
Likes: 45
From: Indian Land, SC
The 6x6 idea works great but don't worry about compressing the forks if you don't have a 6x6 - they'll survive just fine. What IS scary is tying off to the fender mounts or crash bar without the benefit of a locking chock. It's a big heavy bike and it needs stabilization and you can't get that from the crashbar or fender mounts - only from the bars (and it won't bend the bars either).
If you don't have a 6x6 DO compress the forks as far as possible. If any travel is left you run the risk of the suspension compressing allowing the strap to detach. You can also hook a rubber bungie to the top and bottom of the strap to ensure it stays. attached. Use ratchet straps only - leave the others for dirt bikes.
If you don't have a 6x6 DO compress the forks as far as possible. If any travel is left you run the risk of the suspension compressing allowing the strap to detach. You can also hook a rubber bungie to the top and bottom of the strap to ensure it stays. attached. Use ratchet straps only - leave the others for dirt bikes.
It's your bike, do what you see fit but to compress the forks as far as possible for a long haul is just looking for trouble down the road. I agree with the front locking chock, I use that and I tie off to the lower fork bolts where the fender attaches and angle the 2" straps with the forks to the e-track o-ring. Plus two straps around the rear wheel to stop side to side movement. Unless the e-track breaks free of the trailer floor, the bike is not moving at all.
To tie off to handlebars and to compress your suspension 100% is a bad move but their your bikes, so if it makes you happy, that's all that matters.
Seems there have been a lot of posts asking about tying down bikes, maybe a sticky is needed so we don't have to answer the same question day after day.....
Last edited by HDV-GLIDE; Jul 1, 2009 at 12:14 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 279
Likes: 3
From: N. Alabama
I use a good self locking chock for the front tire. I ratchet strap to the front fork tubes right above the front axle using soft straps. I use two ratchet straps on each side anchored to the side and slightly forward. I ratchet strap the rear tire to keep it from moving sideways. This way the bike floats on its own suspension. I do like the 6 x 6 idea and will try it if I am without my trailer and chock.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 723
Likes: 1
From: Melbourne, Florida
I used to have the same concerns about fork seals, etc when strapping down. Last year I purchased a FrameLock and this has to be the best thing on the market to secure your bike to a trailer.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
this is how i've always done it. it works great, and the bike will not move an inch if you use good tie downs. and no worries about fork seals, even though some say its a non issue, better safe than sorry.