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leaving bike tied down on trailer

7K views 15 replies 11 participants last post by  Forty-one 
#1 ·
Need advice please.
I have loaded my 2012 XCT on a trailer which is in my garage, ready to leave for Arizona on Jan 1 2013. Is there a problem with leaving the bike tied down compressed in the front shocks for the next 5 weeks until I leave. Will I wreck anything like seals or anything??
Information please
Thank You
bcflyguy aka Neil
 
#2 ·
If its going to be that long of time before you leave, I personally would only apply enough pull on the straps to keep the bike upright until you get ready to leave. Why put the seals under undue pressure if its just going to sit? :confused:
 
#5 ·
Putting compression on springs doesn't affect the set of the springs but it does induce force. The forks of a bike are not intended to be reservoirs for the stored force resulting from spring compression for extended durations. That doesn't mean that the forks will explode or show any sign of failure from doing it. I haven't been exposed to the possible results because I haven't considered loading my forks for that amount of time.
Unless and until you have a compelling reason to put the forks in compression then it seems sensible to leave the forks unloaded.
 
#6 ·
When I raced cars(I know its different) but I was always told never leave them bound down, and when possible take all the weight off the springs, same with snowmobiles, so I treat my motorcycles the same.
 
#7 ·
I sure wouldnt leave it like that if it were mine...

Heck, they talk about flat spots on your tires just from leaving the bike sitting there too long without moving it (at least, the ads for those bike lifts say you can get flat spots if you lewave your bike too long...Ive never seen it, as I live in CA and my bikes never sit that long :) )
 
#8 ·
Thank you

Thanks to all for the information. Much appreciated
I will immediatly unload the forks LOL
bcflyguy
 
#9 ·
Sounds like you have a space issue that would cause you to leave the bike on the trailer for that long a period of time. I bought Baxley chocks for two reasons. One, I could leave the bikes on the trailer for an extended period of time if need be without having to tie them down like I would for a trip. Second, it allows me to,self load both bikes without worrying about getting them centred or getting another pair of hands to hold the bike upright while I tie them down. There are other similar chocks on the market that may be better for you, but I chose Baxley and would never be without ' em. wac
 
#10 ·
Thank you for the info Pckrfan. Where can I look at/ buy these Baxley chocks
Thanks bcflyguy
 
#11 ·
You can get them direct from them http://www.baxleycompanies.com/ or places like eBay or amazon nextag etc.... And try your local shop or other dealers in town. Lotsa bike shops carry them or similar style chocks.
 
#12 ·
I use a Condor wheel chock in which the bike stands up by itself. I used to attach at the lower triple tree and put very little compression into it. At night when we stopped, I even took the compression off. This fall I moved the fork shields up and attached the front straps there. The back straps are attached to the swing arm. The whole bike floats on it's suspension. I did put 50 psi in the back shock to cut down on the bounce. Worked like a charm. It makes the trip from AB to AZ and back each year.
 
#13 ·
Old post, I know, found it in the course of a search and may just be talking out into the ether. Nonetheless, perhaps an experience of mine can be of benefit to others. Navy guy, doing a change of station about 10-15 yrs ago and had a Valkyrie strapped in back on a trailer along with boxes of books and whatnot lining the sides of same. The straps had hooks that were hooked to any old solid projection along the side of the trailer. About a mile from my destination I hit some some bodaciously rough RR tracks and what compression was left in the forks and/or tires momentarily left and let the straps go flaccid. the hooks unhooked and the bike, luckily and harmlessly, slumped over on to some book boxes. From then on I used a bungie stretched across the floor of the trailer from strap eye to strap eye to keep some tension on the hooks and the hooks shoved home no matter the tension on the strap. Also, be advised that water is a good lubricant and can let the weave in your straps loosen significantly so do a round of tightening if you hit some rain. Seeing that bike in the rear view askew was a bad, bad feeling as I imagined it grinding around on the metal stanchions till I could get stopped. Lucky that time, won't be a next. As an aside, was stationed in Jax, FL and it seemed every year there was a report or three in the paper of bikes departing trailers on 95 to and from Daytona. It happens, be careful. You might not be going home impaired but maybe you were the night before when you loaded up.
 
#15 ·
Leaving it on the trailer is great but just tie down with enough pressure to hold her upright.

Traveling, lock it down you will not hurt the bike or seals. Tie it down as per the owners manual and if using new straps they will stretch and will require re-tightening often.

Another note the more the bike moves the more stress is added to the straps in the form of shock load.

Stop and check the straps often when first getting underway, after that at least every time you stop, best before leaving as there are a lot of asses out there that will loosen then for S&Gs. and you end up with a busted bike.
 
#16 ·
Dayum, I guess I wasn't broadcasting into nothingness after all. The difference between lurking and working a forum. Interesting, pops up to the top of the heap when you generate a reply. Sweet.

So, uh, Squatch, that USCG bidness before or after the USN bidness? Your credibility is on the line here.

41
 
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