Bike towing + wheel choke question
- Thread starter JeremyGSU
- Start date
Twiztedjester55
New Member
It's always a good idea to strap your bike down, what kind of chock are you using
HondaGalToo
Control Rider
Not exactly sure what you mean, what kind of chock? Even with a Baxley that locks in the front wheel, I'd still use tie-down straps (and make sure the Baxley is anchored to the floor). With a regular chock, definitely. All the chock does is keep the wheel straight, otherwise, even if tied down, if the wheel turns, the bike could fall over. Depending on the bike, 4 straps are usually good. Two in the front, either on a Canyon Dancer type handlebar harness, or on soft ties around the triples. Then, two more to keep the rear from bouncing.
Bifferone
New Member
Not really sure what you mean about "strap it down o n top of it".
Check out this link. http://pingelonline.com/recommended_tiedown.htm
I have my trailer set up with 2 of these and strapped down as suggested. They are solid as a rock and next an issue with them moving. Check out this video. It takes a few moments to load but worth the wait. http://pingelonline.com/proof.htm
Check out this link. http://pingelonline.com/recommended_tiedown.htm
I have my trailer set up with 2 of these and strapped down as suggested. They are solid as a rock and next an issue with them moving. Check out this video. It takes a few moments to load but worth the wait. http://pingelonline.com/proof.htm
Thanks for the replies. I believe it is a Baxley wheel chock and it is mounted to the trailer floor. Even without the straps the bike doesn't really move but everytime I've borrowed it I strapped it. I just wondered if it was necessary.
Also, you state not to compress it too much which I've heard but above a guy links a how-to tie down and it states:
"Evenly compress the front suspension until the motorcycle is VERY secure and its suspension is nearly fully compressed."
Thanks for the replies.
lemondrop
Professional Asphalt Surfer
DO NOT COMPRESS THE FRONT SUSPENSION!!!! I did this going out to AZ....needless to say, I was riding on springs once I got there....
Here's what I do:
get some good ratchet or tie downs that can loop back on themselves...loop one on each side around the lower triple and either back to the chock (not sure baxley has the available mounts) if the chock is attached to the bed/trailer. Then loop or hook on the subframe or if you have the pillion pegs (I hook around the subframe just above the rearsets)...then attach other end to something forward. secure these tighter than the front ones. The front ones should be taut....not tight...you want the suspension to be able to work a little....
Here's what I do:
get some good ratchet or tie downs that can loop back on themselves...loop one on each side around the lower triple and either back to the chock (not sure baxley has the available mounts) if the chock is attached to the bed/trailer. Then loop or hook on the subframe or if you have the pillion pegs (I hook around the subframe just above the rearsets)...then attach other end to something forward. secure these tighter than the front ones. The front ones should be taut....not tight...you want the suspension to be able to work a little....
How can you tie down a bike without compressing the suspension? Certainly there's no need to bottom your forks, but you do have to tie it DOWN.
Compressing suspension does nothing to fork seals. Your forks compress fully a couple times a lap under braking, no sweat. I wonder where the fork seal myth came from?
I use a Baxley in conjunction with the Pit Bull rear axle trailer restraint. Once locked in my bike isn't going anywhere. My first use with both of them was going to Barber a couple of weeks ago and hit some pretty rough stuff on the way down and no issues
It's never happened to me, but my knowledge about blowing forks seals from transporting is due to prolonged compression. I carried one of my bikes from Memphis, Tn to Colorado Springs and back and didn't have an issue. On the flip side, I have seen some other folks seals blow for lesser amounts of time.
It's never happened to me, but my knowledge about blowing forks seals from transporting is due to prolonged compression. I carried one of my bikes from Memphis, Tn to Colorado Springs and back and didn't have an issue. On the flip side, I have seen some other folks seals blow for lesser amounts of time.
Nashoba
New Member
When we strap our bikes, we use the normal Pingel chock. But i strap to the front axle on both sides, and pull down and forward. Then your not on the forks at all, and the suspension on the bikes moves with the road, but the wheel stays tight. Then just pull the rear straight down. We've never had any problems like that.
lemondrop
Professional Asphalt Surfer
yes, you are correct that the suspension does compress fully a couple times during a track day...however, it is also allowed to decompressing immediately afterward. If you have it tied down, it is not able to decompress.
I'm no suspension expert, but I do know that I lacked all comp/damp properties after having the bike fully strapped down on my trip across the country.
Yes, the bike down need to be tied down, but if you have a decent chock and the rear stabilized, the tie-downs are for guidance/support and not to ratchet the bike to immobility.
If this were not the case, then PitBull and STStands wasted a bunch of money....
Fastguy
Member
Did I read correctly that I should have my rear straps pulling toward the front of the bike into the wheel chock?
I use the soft straps to secure around the triple clamp as much as possible and rachet down until "snug and secure". If this is doing damage to my forks how much play is acceptable?
I use the soft straps to secure around the triple clamp as much as possible and rachet down until "snug and secure". If this is doing damage to my forks how much play is acceptable?
Drewbie
New Member
Eyebolts are just through the metal floor and the bedliner. I have deacreasing size washers on each side of the bed floor (largest near metal to smallest near eye) to distribute the force. Straps never loosen. The straps are pulling the bike forward into the front wall of the bed.
Katie and I drove all over the east coast with this setup last year with absolutely no problems.
That being said.. I really really want some pitbull restraints.. they are so nice.
Katie and I drove all over the east coast with this setup last year with absolutely no problems.
That being said.. I really really want some pitbull restraints.. they are so nice.
