tie down handlebar points?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 39
From: Everywhere
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 49
From: Northern California
The one time my bike was on a trailer we learned from the dealer in Coos Bay a different way to tie the bike down.
He used soft ties around the fork lowers just above the fender attachment points.
At first I said no way but my Brother In law had just brought his bike over the Siskiyou's in a winter storm and the bike was still on the trailer after that rough ride.
Both bikes made it to Arizona no problem. You could see them happily moving on the suspension on bumpy roads.
After discovering the S&S frame mounted bracket if I ever had plans to trailer the bike other than a breakdown that is the way to go.
He used soft ties around the fork lowers just above the fender attachment points.
At first I said no way but my Brother In law had just brought his bike over the Siskiyou's in a winter storm and the bike was still on the trailer after that rough ride.
Both bikes made it to Arizona no problem. You could see them happily moving on the suspension on bumpy roads.
After discovering the S&S frame mounted bracket if I ever had plans to trailer the bike other than a breakdown that is the way to go.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 49
From: Northern California
LIKE this !!
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I don't like the idea of tying to the fender mounts.
To get it tight, you are pulling the forks apart, relying on the axle to keep it together. The strong support is at the top of the forks.
Not much room for a strap in there.
Not much room for a strap to get tight from there to the floor.
It creates a "pinch point" if you loop the strap there, compromising the integrity of the strap.
My 2 cents. YMMV.
Last edited by SafetyMan; Mar 8, 2014 at 10:33 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 32,851
Likes: 17,886
From: Newcastle, OK
DO NOT tie to the bars.
the bars are mounted to rubber bushings
if you crank down on them, you may deform the bushings.
repair requires pulling alot of stuff off to replace $5 in bushings
also the bars should be able to be be pushed out of position ( same with pegs/ floorboards etc.) this is so that if the bike crashes, the bars can't dig in and start a pinwheel
that's why the bars are not a good tie down location, they are supposed to be able to move
try strapping to the crash bar near the center bolt.
compress the forks about an inch ( do not crank them down, you can blow the seals)
make sure excess strap won't blow in the wind and scuff your paint ( DO NOT try to use a cover or tarp for same reason--- you'll be buying a paint job)
if using a locking type chock, make sure that the chock clears the rear portion of the fender when it comes up to lock - seen an ultra fender get damaged this way
Mike
the bars are mounted to rubber bushings
if you crank down on them, you may deform the bushings.
repair requires pulling alot of stuff off to replace $5 in bushings
also the bars should be able to be be pushed out of position ( same with pegs/ floorboards etc.) this is so that if the bike crashes, the bars can't dig in and start a pinwheel
that's why the bars are not a good tie down location, they are supposed to be able to move
try strapping to the crash bar near the center bolt.
compress the forks about an inch ( do not crank them down, you can blow the seals)
make sure excess strap won't blow in the wind and scuff your paint ( DO NOT try to use a cover or tarp for same reason--- you'll be buying a paint job)
if using a locking type chock, make sure that the chock clears the rear portion of the fender when it comes up to lock - seen an ultra fender get damaged this way
Mike
And I learned the hard way, too.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 590
Likes: 1
From: O'Fallon, MO
Soos speaks the truth. I do exactly this. Bike in chock, tie downs from front fork tubes where fender attaches, and from the rear passenger pegs to the rear.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,328
Likes: 15
From: Pacific Northwest
Never had any problem tying to soft-ties at the bars where the bend is using a Pingel chock. If I was outfitting my trailer today I would include some kind of ride-on/ride-off chock. Right now I use a block underneath the frame to pull the bike down onto - works great, keeps stability high and tension low.
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 612
Likes: 0
From: kansas
And I'm really glad there weren't a lot of "Trailer? WTF ride that bit**" it would of been ok,,,, I trailer the bike on family trips and let them hang out with the inlaws and I ride,,,, LOL.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,983
Likes: 165
From: North, Fl
I've got an Atlas 1500 lift, so mine gets tied down quite a bit, I bought these that were mentioned above.. and it makes it easy.
http://www.harley-davidson.com/store...-down-brackets
I put some thick shrink tube on my hooks, just so the thin rubber on the hook doesn't get cut on the edge of the bracket and then damage the chrome and let it start to rust.
http://www.harley-davidson.com/store...-down-brackets
I put some thick shrink tube on my hooks, just so the thin rubber on the hook doesn't get cut on the edge of the bracket and then damage the chrome and let it start to rust.
I got the same set up and used a small piece of cloth, but thanks to this thread going out into the trailer to get the straps to put some thick shrink wrap on my, "Big Daddy" straps. Thanks SM!