Tying a bike down
Discussion
Hi all, I am off to pick up my new bike tomorrow and I will be bringing it back in a van... What is the best way to tie it down? is the rear section of the chassis strong enough to support a strap? I will be using some of them 2" ratchet straps...
It's a 1998 Kawasaki ZX6R by the way...
It's a 1998 Kawasaki ZX6R by the way...
Whenever I have taken the bike on the back of a trailer etc, I have secured it at both the front and back. The frame is definitely strong enough, just make sure there is not any pipe work or wiring that can get snagged. Also rather than attach the straps to the handle bars see if you can secure them round the forks just above the bottom clamps, a RAC bloke showed me this when I broke down once.
Make sure you compress the suspension a fair bit to keep the straps under constant tension or the bike will bounce and fall over. Also when you come to release the straps get some help because as the suspension is compressed if you only release one side she will just flip over as the released side decompresses.
Good luck, nice bike to.
Make sure you compress the suspension a fair bit to keep the straps under constant tension or the bike will bounce and fall over. Also when you come to release the straps get some help because as the suspension is compressed if you only release one side she will just flip over as the released side decompresses.
Good luck, nice bike to.
Edited by ballon on Sunday 1st April 07:37
wedg1e said:
Alex@POD said:
wedg1e said:
I thought this was going to be a thread about me ex-wife... 
Oh DO come along. Bike... tying down... you lot are hard work sometimes.
sorry I'm sure I can get the "tying down" bit, but the bike has me completely lost... It is sunday morning after all and I got back from work at about 3.30AM...
Alex@POD said:
wedg1e said:
Alex@POD said:
wedg1e said:
I thought this was going to be a thread about me ex-wife...
Oh DO come along. Bike... tying down... you lot are hard work sometimes.
sorry I'm sure I can get the "tying down" bit, but the bike has me completely lost... It is sunday morning after all and I got back from work at about 3.30AM...
Bike: a woman that everyone's had a ride of...
wedg1e said:
Alex@POD said:
wedg1e said:
Alex@POD said:
wedg1e said:
I thought this was going to be a thread about me ex-wife...
Oh DO come along. Bike... tying down... you lot are hard work sometimes.
sorry I'm sure I can get the "tying down" bit, but the bike has me completely lost... It is sunday morning after all and I got back from work at about 3.30AM...
Bike: a woman that everyone's had a ride of...
Must just be Northern humour, I knew what you meant.
Alex@POD said:
Will post some pics when I get it... Should I keep the bike upright or rest it on the stand?
Stand it upright. You can get bike tei downs that have a loop for putting over the handlebars and then ratchet to the trailer but like suggested, I prefer over the triple clamps, just dont snag/crimp any fairing, hoses or cables. If the front is nicely compressed and secure, you shouldnt need to worry about the back at all.
If you don't have specialist equipment then when I move bikes by van / trailor I use the side stand. Two straps on the stand side first, tight, then two more on the hich side and ratched down until the springs are compressed.
Keep the webbiing away from any painted surface - it won't be painted when you arrive - and away from plastic that can break. If in any dount at all, use old cloths or sponges to protect the bike from the webbing.
Front - usually works to take the stap from the van around the fork above the lower yolk (using a cloth to keep the webbing away from the finish. Don't be tempted to use one strap for both sides - one each side.
Rear - find some exposed frame tubing and again floor - around tubing (with a cloth to protect) - back to floor.
Make sure that you can't move it before you "sign-off".
Then finally, drive the van like you have your pride and joy strapped down in the back. Because you have.
Enjoy
Keep the webbiing away from any painted surface - it won't be painted when you arrive - and away from plastic that can break. If in any dount at all, use old cloths or sponges to protect the bike from the webbing.
Front - usually works to take the stap from the van around the fork above the lower yolk (using a cloth to keep the webbing away from the finish. Don't be tempted to use one strap for both sides - one each side.
Rear - find some exposed frame tubing and again floor - around tubing (with a cloth to protect) - back to floor.
Make sure that you can't move it before you "sign-off".
Then finally, drive the van like you have your pride and joy strapped down in the back. Because you have.
Enjoy
Thanks guys, good advice... I used one strap over the front and one over the back (strapped it 3 hours ago), with side stand, and it has been fine. I can barely contain my excitement though, I can't wait to pass my license in 2 weeks...
Wedgie, this is dodgy humour... Now I think I know what you mean but I guess my mind isn't twisted enough yet...
Wedgie, this is dodgy humour... Now I think I know what you mean but I guess my mind isn't twisted enough yet...
One last tip :
as most sidestands are the "self-retracting" (spelling?) type nowadays,
secure the sidestand to the front/down position,
to prevent it snapping up should you drive over a hard bump,
or having to brake hard/steer hard because of someone else driving blindly.
Good Luck & good riding from
Benni
as most sidestands are the "self-retracting" (spelling?) type nowadays,
secure the sidestand to the front/down position,
to prevent it snapping up should you drive over a hard bump,
or having to brake hard/steer hard because of someone else driving blindly.
Good Luck & good riding from
Benni
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