 Transport on trailer
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 23
Complete Newb
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OP
Complete Newb
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 23 |
Guys. I need to move my bike on a trailer and can't decide what sort to use and how to secure it. Most of the bike trailers i see look like they are designed for motocross (lightweight, upright stance). any advice please ? graham
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Re: Transport on trailer
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,068 Likes: 1
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,068 Likes: 1 |
Well, if you get a designated bike trailer that's good. But then you can only haul a bike on it. I have a 6x10 foot utility trailer with a 3,000 lb. axle. I can haul two bikes, a mower, plywood, all sorts of stuff on it, but not all at the same time. I can even haul anethetized llamas on it.
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Re: Transport on trailer
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 99
Member
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Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 99 |
grey how far are you moving it? do you guys in england have anything similar to u-haul in the states? I had to move my bike recently and i just rented a utility trailer from uhaul. ratchet straps hooked to the rear wheel in the back then a ratchet strap across the forks sucking the wheel down then ratchet straps on each of the front corners at the frame and it worked pretty wellwell
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Re: Transport on trailer
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,227 Likes: 62
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,227 Likes: 62 |
I use a strap on each side of the handle bars at the first bend out from the risers with the front wheel against the front of the trailer or bed compressing the forks. Then I put a strap on each side on the back too.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Transport on trailer
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
..anethetized llamas...
Here ya go, Graham. This YouTube video here may be of some help to ya, too...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKlVC-pfbC0
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Transport on trailer
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
Six minutes and no Oops!!!  
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: Transport on trailer
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Yeah erle, you're right. I didn't actually watch that video until after your "review" of it here, and it doesn't really show enough about how to tie down motorcycles on a trailer, does it. It's actually more of a "commercial" for that special little strap on the front that guy used. (...my bad) Now, THIS old fart HERE in the following video is more like what I should have linked for Graham, I believe... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLxXUB_wa9E
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Transport on trailer
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,580
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,580 |
So how far are you trailering it? Just round Cambridgeshire?
* Edit missed the 'how' out
Last edited by brindle; 12/17/2012 8:55 PM.
Too old to die young, too ugly to leave a good looking corpse
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Re: Transport on trailer
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 754
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 754 |
Karl
Odessa, MO
'07 America, Cinnamon Girl (aka: Black Beauty or Ol' Penny) - Sit Down, Shut Up & Hang On
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Re: Transport on trailer
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,580
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,580 |
That's why he can't find a trailer over here, his bike refuses to go on anything that's meant for a Hardly
Too old to die young, too ugly to leave a good looking corpse
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Re: Transport on trailer
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Here's what I did once. - I used ratchet ties with nylon straps, - I chocked both wheels, - I left it on the stand, - I pulled the suspension down a lot, - I left it in 1st gear, - I tied off the front brake.  
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Transport on trailer
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821 |
If it's a carbureted bike, close the petcock and run the carbs out of fuel.
Be sure to compress the suspension about halfway.
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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Re: Transport on trailer
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Quote:
Be sure to compress the suspension about halfway.
Yup, it's important to pull the spring out of the suspension. I think I took mine down even more than halfway to ensure there was little to no bounce, thus ensuring the straps are never loose.
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Transport on trailer
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,068 Likes: 1
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,068 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
Quote:
Be sure to compress the suspension about halfway.
Yup, it's important to pull the spring out of the suspension. I think I took mine down even more than halfway to ensure there was little to no bounce, thus ensuring the straps are never loose.
That's wisdom- but some say it's a bad idea to leave those springs compressed for an extended amount of time.
 this is me ponderin' :
(but then loaded trucks ride around with springs compressed for days)
(but those are leaf springs, not wound compression springs)
(hmmm,we need a metallurgical engineer to step in)
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Re: Transport on trailer
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 657
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 657 |
Keith You forgot the tarp, don't want them hardley riders seeing a trump on trailer 
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Re: Transport on trailer
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,227 Likes: 62
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,227 Likes: 62 |
Keith, I wouldn't trust hauling a bike with the front tire only against that little board. I also strap them down verticly so the tire won't walk on a bumpy road, not on the kickstand.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Transport on trailer
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,839 Likes: 3
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,839 Likes: 3 |
I have found it best not to use the handlebars as the secureing point, better to use the bottom tree also best not to leave kickstane down, if something happens the potential is there for it to get broken off and now you have no way to stand your bike up. Also useing the bottom of the rear shocks as a secureing point is better than any aftermkt add on ie backrest, and run the strap a little forward rather than straight across or towards the rear as this will keep the bike pushed against whatever stop you have in the front. I would never haul a bike without some sort of wall or stop in front. Also best tofind a way to keep the potential of the front tire turning to a minimum. If it turns at all the bike may fall. I used to race and would have to. Trailor my bike and some of these points I learned the hard way.
ENJOY!!!!! NEWT!!!!!
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Re: Transport on trailer
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
Quote:
Keith, I wouldn't trust hauling a bike with the front tire only against that little board. I also strap them down verticly so the tire won't walk on a bumpy road, not on the kickstand.
+1
You can usually control the speed that you accelerate from a stop and take corners, but you MAY have less control over the quickness in which you MAY need to stop.
The straps look a "little" too light duty for that scenario.
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: Transport on trailer
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821 |
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Be sure to compress the suspension about halfway.
Yup, it's important to pull the spring out of the suspension. I think I took mine down even more than halfway to ensure there was little to no bounce, thus ensuring the straps are never loose.
That's wisdom- but some say it's a bad idea to leave those springs compressed for an extended amount of time.
this is me ponderin' :
(but then loaded trucks ride around with springs compressed for days)
(but those are leaf springs, not wound compression springs)
(hmmm,we need a metallurgical engineer to step in)
Perhaps Becky will weigh in on what happens if you don't compress the springs a bit  
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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Re: Transport on trailer
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,212
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,212 |
I strap mine down, front corners, rear corners and over the top side to side, and i pull that bike down as far as i can it so there is absolutley no bounce in that sucker. Never ever had a problem with it. Same with dirt bikes , quads, trikes etc.
2007 Speedmaster and miss it!
2013 T-Bird Storm and Luvin it!
Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at 70 mph can double your vocabulary
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Re: Transport on trailer
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,146
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,146 |
I invested in wheel chocks. They don't cost much. As my TBA shares the carport with other vehicles including an enclosed trailer, I just mounted a wheel chock in the front of the trailer and built a little ramp. At the end of the day I tuck my head and ride it into it's cozy little trailer and close the door behind it. It was a little weird riding into and backing out of a trailer every day but, out of 4 bikes my Triumph, is easily the most protected. Never even gets dusty in the winter.
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Re: Transport on trailer
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,227 Likes: 62
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,227 Likes: 62 |
A wheel chock could easily be made but Harbor Freight sells a cheap one that locks behind the wheel too when you roll the wheel into it. the image is the one I mean ($39.99 US$ on sale now)but there are a couple. chocks
Last edited by moe; 12/23/2012 12:52 PM.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Transport on trailer
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15 |
When it comes to strapping down a bike for transport, two is one and one is none. Don't ask me how I know this.
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Re: Transport on trailer
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669 |
I had mine in the back of a uhaul 8x12 for 4 days while moving from San Diego. Din't drain the gas, didn't remove springs, nothing like that. Just strapped her down good and tight. Also had my push mower in there, about 6 or so plants and other odds and ends. Opened er up 4 days later and it was steamy and reaked of fuel. My beasty ran great and had no issues with her at all. However some of the plants died.
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and HD's were made to be trailered.... 
