how do i strap a bike down when trailering it??

ok, im driving out to fort wayne tomorrow and picking up my bike. i have decided to trailer it back due to the fact i already have a cold and dont want to get pneumonia from riding it back 4+hrs in the cold. i have a trailer, but i have NO idea how and where to strap the bike to the trailer. i have about 5-10 winch type straps. ive never strapped a bike down nor has any of my friends. also, do i need to use any blocks of wood to chock the wheels?


need some help guys, i dont want my bike to get all F'd up cause i strapped it wrong.
thanks everyone for your help

dave

I used four ratchet tie-downs, a canyon dancer bar harness, and a pair of soft hook extensions.

Get the bike on to the trailer with the front wheel against a solid point (like the front of the truck bed).
Attach the canyon dancers to your clip-ons, and loosely attach tie-downs to the canyon dancers.
Compress the forks while tightening down the tie-downs (both sides at the same time).
Use the soft hooks to attach the rear tie-downs to the subframe or passenger pegs.
Compress the rear suspension and tighten the rear tie-downs.

I was always worried about compressing the forks too much, but I found that if they were too loose, the front-end might move around after hitting a bump so I tried to keep them 2/3 fully compressed.

This method uses the suspension to keep the bike sturdy, and no metal pieces touch the bike (when using the canyon dancer and soft hooks).

http://www.canyondancer.com/

Go to Wally World and get some real strong straps....and give the front end 2 of em and the rear...2 of em..at least one for the frame....all the way thru side to side....and just take your time..or ask the dealer to help.....but get some REAL straps too...i mean its a new Honda...dont trust it to some this ass 4 dolar crap....spend the 50 bux and get the heavy duty stuff....and things will be grand

quote:

ORIGINAL: p166mmx73

I used four ratchet tie-downs, a canyon dancer bar harness, and a pair of soft hook extensions.

Get the bike on to the trailer with the front wheel against a solid point (like the front of the truck bed).
Attach the canyon dancers to your clip-ons, and loosely attach tie-downs to the canyon dancers.
Compress the forks while tightening down the tie-downs (both sides at the same time).
Use the soft hooks to attach the rear tie-downs to the subframe or passenger pegs.
Compress the rear suspension and tighten the rear tie-downs.

I was always worried about compressing the forks too much, but I found that if they were too loose, the front-end might move around after hitting a bump so I tried to keep them 2/3 fully compressed.

This method uses the suspension to keep the bike sturdy, and no metal pieces touch the bike (when using the canyon dancer and soft hooks).

http://www.canyondancer.com/

+1

quote:

ORIGINAL: CBRFREEK

dont trust it to some this ass 4 dolar crap....spend the 50 bux and get the heavy duty stuff....and things will be grand

I bought $15 straps about 1½" - 2" thick, and pulled my buddys ranger out that was stuck in mud......dont have to get the ones that are 5in. thick, those smaller straps are a lot stronger then what people think.

also, when strapping the bike down, I'd suggest making sure the front wheel is facing STRAIGHT forward, not turned to the side. reason being that you can avoid screwing something up this way.

if your bike moves and the trailer doesnt when you're sitting on it, its not right. the way I've learned to do it, is to strap the bike down so that if you try to rock it side to side, the truck moves, but not the bike.

THE BAR HARNESS IS A MUST IN MY OPINION! WORKS WELL. AND DONT COMPRESS THE FRONT END TO MUCH, YOU CAN BLOW THE SEAL. ALSO, I CHOOSE RATCHET STRAPS OVER PULL TIES. IF YOU KNOW HOW TO USE THEM THEY SEEM MORE RELIABLE. THATS JUST MY OPINION.

Don't buy cheap straps.... I bought the ones that hold 400 or 500 pounds and the metal buckles broke. Buy good straps. It's cheaper then replacing plastic.

Check out the pics of the in this thread... I may try it like this next time.

Forgot, you have to open the pics.... here you go.