Thanks SOOS!!!! for that procedure that is what I have been trying to say. I know using the handle bars seem like they are secure, but in reality its not! The frame is the way to Go. Great procedure. Thats what I have been doing for years, we owned a service station/ wrecker service as a kid and I hauled/pushed/pulled about anything with wheels. If we could find a rope/chain/strap we would haul it, so you kinda learn how to strap things down. Especially when Dad is in charge and he knows the right way! HIS WAY!

DOG

 

sgtrod91
I agree! So far this seems to be the the best option to my problem. I did'nt get a price yet. www.gatorhide.com

 

Thanks SOOS and CANEDOG. I will save this procedure for when my bike arrives. I have to admit I was concerned that if I tied the straps to the handlebars they might rub on the Batwing. Tying to the frame should eliminate that issue.

I have 10' long ratchet starps. Instead of using cynch straps could I just loop the ratchet ctrap around the frame tube and back to the D ring in my floor? That way both hooks on the ratchet strap would attach to the same D Ring.

Once I actually have my bike (about 2 weeks) and can put it into the trailer, all will probably fall into place.

 

chesterbud,

I don't use the soft ties that I picured earlier. I use just the ratchet straps shown in my tie down pics. My ratchet straps are 16" long and the mating straps I cut to 40". 10' is just too long to deal with or need.

 

Good post SOOS.

 

I too pulled open trailer--ONE YEAR--Washed bike after any bad weather. And coming back from Daytona when we entered Illinois it turned into winter. So first stop was car wash and when home I took everything off I could and really cleaned. Still suffered salt damage to electrics. The next year I purchased 6X12 enclosed and after adding pingles and E-track and 20 hold down straps total investment was $ 3,200. Best investment for those few times Harley must be a trailer Queen. Mosly you'll be loaning it out to everybody else for moving, church bazaars etc. I hauled a bagger and a Sporty one year to Sturgis, but it's at home with just my bagger. Lesser sizes and costs are an option, but OVER tie it down--forwards, backwards, horizontally, whatever. I never lost a bike yet but some who borrowed my trailer have and it was for lack of properly securing tiedowns.

 

The stuff that harley uses to ship a new bike is pretty substancial and would probably stand up to the ride. See if you can get a pallet, and the box that covers it, from your dealer. Put the bike on the pallet. Screw the two braces back in place that came with the pallet, screw the box on to the braces and the pallet then cover the box with a tarp. The dealer normally cuts the box off but it could be removed intact, if you asked... You could probably even get them to front you the Harley tiedowns.
Once you force the salt and grime into the crevices on that scooter you'll never get it all out. I've pulled outer fairings and found everything underneath crusty from exposure to the salt & elements...

 

SOOS. With your ratchet attached at the front fender/fork you wouldn't be able to get any fork compression. I always thought you were supposed to get the front end compressed. Maybe compression is not necessary if you tie off as you do??????

 

chesterbud,

There are different schools of thought on this. One side says to compress the shocks somewhat and the other side says not to. My personal feeling and expereience is not to compress but to let the bike ride its own shocks. Unless you fully compress the front shock you will get "shock snap" in your tie down strap. This is the play that will occur in the strap when the front shock compresses further than what you have compressed it. Your tie down will loosen then snap back to tight every time the bike rides the front shock.This can lead to your tiedowns loosening. I fasten at the junction of the fork and fender securing the bike into my wheel chock and letting the bike ride the shocks. I see no difference doing it this way than if you were actually riding the bike on the road. The front shocks are doing what they are meant to do. Some put a block of wood under the front of the lower frame and compress the forks until the frame is tight against the block. This also prevents the shocks from further compressing. To each his own. I have been doing it my way for a long time with no problems at all.

My dealer ships bikes to the different motorcycle events and they secure the bike the way I do at the front forks.

 

Check out Chariot trailers tie down tips. http://www.chariot-trailer.com