Anyone see anything wrong with this??

[kab]

I've never towed a motorcycle so I'm just wondering if I have this strapped down right? I do have soft loops around the lower triple and I will be placing a rag underneath the rear strap. How much should I tighten the front straps?

 

[buellxb9rs]

Pretty much how I do it except I strap down the swing arm instead of the wheel

 

[freak2180]

Put a rag or towel between the rear rim and strap to prevent scoffing of the wheels paint.

 

[BuellyBagger]

/\that last time i had to trailer even with a micro fiber in there it left a rub mark that i had to buff off.

 

[kab]

Where in the swing arm do you put the strap? Would it be better? I'm taking my bike about 500 miles on this trailer next Friday and just making sure all is right before I just take off. That's why I put it up there really quick to make sure it was ok

 

[Red93stang]

That's the way I do it, but I put a thick towel between wheel and the strap.

Btw: that timing cover looks great!!

 

[kab]

So how far exactly are you supposed to strap down the front? I have seen post on here of guys getting home and forks leaking. I don't have it bottoming out up front but I'd say the forks are compressed maybe half way or less

 

[Loki]

Def not that far. Heres a test you can do. tighten the bike, shake it. If it wants to fall over, tighten more. You shouldnt ever have to have it that tight.

When i load my bike up into my truck i have the forks about 2-3 inches higher and can shake my bike as hard as possible and only move the truck.

 

[06xbss]

Compressing the front forks about a third of their travel is a good rule of thumb. Much more then that and you risk blowing the seals if you hit a really had bump.

Probably the best way is to take off your front fender and put a 2x4 between the triple tree and tire. Then you can crank it down good and tight.

 

[freak2180]

So how far exactly are you supposed to strap down the front?

Just enough to keep the bike from leaning over in turns. I have seen people put straps on the passanger pegs to stablize the bikes side to side movment, but thats not an option for you.

 

[freak2180]

best way is to take off your front fender and put a 2x4 between the triple tree and tire

[up] It only take a min to remove the front fender. Dirt bike shops also sell a fork stop similar to the 2x4 method only made of plastic and designed to stay in place better. I payed around $15 for mine years ago.

 

[kab]

i basicly tightend it down far enough so that when i move the bike side to side by shaking the seat the front straps don't get loose.

 

[kab]

ok so with the bike on it's own weight the lower part of the fork was 4 3/16", after i tightened it down so the straps will not get slack i get 2 1/2". so that's just over a third compressed. it should be alright i hope?

 

[Loki]

Yes, if you are worried pull over 5 miles down the road and check it.

 

[kab]

Thanks again guys. Like I said, never towed or strapped a bike down and just don't want a disaster taking it on vacation.

 

[Iamarchangel]

Long time ago I trailered a race bike almost every weekend, sigh.

Block of wood trick is recommended. I did that.

I would probably put a wedge/chock under the rear wheel to keep it from moving. Nothing fancy, a wedge with a hole for a bolt, matching hole in floor, and a bolt dropped through.

Rear strap allows wheel to move side to side. Either loop it around the wheel or have two. I prefer two.

Also, turn the hooks down. If they do come loose, they won't fall out.

 

[BuellyBagger]

So how far exactly are you supposed to strap down the front?

i usually shake the bike and if it shakes "as one" with the trailer then i figure its plenty tight.

 

[anrkizm95]

its being trailered.

 

[kab]

So I'm going to screw down a couple boards on the sides of the rear tire to keep from moving side to side and make sure I face the hooks down and I guess it's good then. It's just a little trailer I build only for taking my bike on long trips.