Strapping it down
Banned
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,603
Likes: 10
RE: Strapping it down
i use one strap around the frame and above the crash bar to compress the forks...on my SG i have hiway pegs, i use a strap aroud each peg to hold side to side movement...on long runs in the trailer i secure the rear tire from side to side movement by two thru the slots in the wheel, opposing directions
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,890
Likes: 73
From: MA
RE: Strapping it down
I tie down where the front fender attaches to the front fork and to each passenger footrest bracket, all pulling forward and outward. Front tire is in a wheel chock. I have 7 pics showing my tie downs. For goodness sake stay off your handlebars.
M/C Tie Down
M/C Tie Down
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,823
Likes: 4
From: London, Canada
RE: Strapping it down
Really can't use the bars with the fairing. I use soft ties where the fender joins the leg. Doesn't pull the suspension down so the bike rides like it was on the highway.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,670
Likes: 19
From: Waukesha WI
RE: Strapping it down
My friend broke down lastnight and I took my trailer out there to pick him up. He used my ratchet straps and he strapped around the bars. He did compress the forks a bit. Why should you not go to the bars? His pulley snapped off so we couldn't keep it in gear. That was a tough one on my nerves. lol
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 873
Likes: 2
From:
RE: Strapping it down
You'll get a hundred opinions on this, the topic has been beat to death a couple of times but is worth going over every once & awhile.
Bars are absolutely not made to be used for tying the bike down. You want to let the suspension ride freely during transport. You can do this by running the straps between the fork & the front fender and tying there. When you compress the suspension and hit a big bump, or series of bumps and there is no travel you will blow out the seals.... Handlebars will bend.....
Bars are absolutely not made to be used for tying the bike down. You want to let the suspension ride freely during transport. You can do this by running the straps between the fork & the front fender and tying there. When you compress the suspension and hit a big bump, or series of bumps and there is no travel you will blow out the seals.... Handlebars will bend.....
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,942
Likes: 7
From: guntersville, al
RE: Strapping it down
i have been trailering since the 60s and never blew a fork seal compressing the front forks. best to put a large block of wood under the frame before pulling down the front end. this keeps everything secure.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,463
Likes: 2,990
From: Charleston, SC
RE: Strapping it down
Blow the seals? Geezz No travel = blow the seals? I guess everytime you bottom out a bike you blow the seals.
When you trailer your bike make sure you DO compress the front (a little bit). Not all the way to the stops..just a little bit to keep it under pressure. Helps to keep the rubber side down ya know.
Use 4 sep tie downs, attach to the frame where ever possible.
lp
When you trailer your bike make sure you DO compress the front (a little bit). Not all the way to the stops..just a little bit to keep it under pressure. Helps to keep the rubber side down ya know.
Use 4 sep tie downs, attach to the frame where ever possible.
lp
ORIGINAL: alazlo
You'll get a hundred opinions on this, the topic has been beat to death a couple of times but is worth going over every once & awhile.
Bars are absolutely not made to be used for tying the bike down. You want to let the suspension ride freely during transport. You can do this by running the straps between the fork & the front fender and tying there. When you compress the suspension and hit a big bump, or series of bumps and there is no travel you will blow out the seals.... Handlebars will bend.....
You'll get a hundred opinions on this, the topic has been beat to death a couple of times but is worth going over every once & awhile.
Bars are absolutely not made to be used for tying the bike down. You want to let the suspension ride freely during transport. You can do this by running the straps between the fork & the front fender and tying there. When you compress the suspension and hit a big bump, or series of bumps and there is no travel you will blow out the seals.... Handlebars will bend.....
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 873
Likes: 2
From:
RE: Strapping it down
like I said, hundreds of opinions.
I've worked for a couple of dealerships & been hauling bikes for about 16 years now. Four and six at a time. I'm sure some of the other suggestions will work fine. I know the way I do it will not cause damage to the bikes. Be sure to use wheel chocks. No reason to compress the suspension at all, but if you do put the block of wood under it .
I've worked for a couple of dealerships & been hauling bikes for about 16 years now. Four and six at a time. I'm sure some of the other suggestions will work fine. I know the way I do it will not cause damage to the bikes. Be sure to use wheel chocks. No reason to compress the suspension at all, but if you do put the block of wood under it .
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