Ground Anchor in wood?

[Gazza77]

Right - another ground anchor question.

Having just moved, my bike is currently locked up in my new garage, pending me getting some paving laid and my bike safe shed rebuilt. In the meantime to aid security, I was thinking of putting a cheap ground anchor into the garage just to act as a bit of a physical detterent, however it has a wooden floor. I accept that this would not be as secure as into concrete, but would it potentially work?

[Baph]

It'd stop opportunists, but as I'm sure you're aware, it's fairly easy to cut/break the wood.

[thor]

One word: Crowbar.

[Mogs]

There no reason why not. You have already accepted there is some loss in the security. You will have to use different fixings as the flooring is unlikely to have sufficient thickness.

Coach bolts and a metal plate side would a good method, but you would need access to both sides, you could try hollow wall anchors.

The important thing is for you not the leave any tools around that can aid anyone's attempt to undo you fixings, especially as this is a tempory solution and you will want to be able to undo your work yourself at some time.

[Reckless Rat]

For temporary use I got an old 5 gallon bucket - I guess any big plastic tub would do, filled it with old lead pipe off cuts, chunks of cast iron, steel etc and concrete. Finished off with a big chunky steel loop (I used a scrap 4" gate valve :cool:) Although it's movable you certainly can't run away with it!

[Baph]

For temporary use I got an old 5 gallon bucket - I guess any big plastic tub would do, filled it with old lead pipe off cuts, chunks of cast iron, steel etc and concrete. Finished off with a big chunky steel loop (I used a scrap 4" gate valve :cool:) Although it's movable you certainly can't run away with it!

Along similar lines, I know Alpinestarhero uses a bucket of concrete with a chain. Put the chain in the bucket, with enough looped outside the bucket, and fill with concrete.

heypreso, home made ground anchor.

[Gazza77]

There no reason why not. You have already accepted there is some loss in the security. You will have to use different fixings as the flooring is unlikely to have sufficient thickness.

Coach bolts and a metal plate side would a good method, but you would need access to both sides, you could try hollow wall anchors.

The important thing is for you not the leave any tools around that can aid anyone's attempt to undo you fixings, especially as this is a tempory solution and you will want to be able to undo your work yourself at some time.

My tools are all safely elsewhere - the only other bits in the garage are stuff I could live without, ie bits like oil and cleaning stuff.

For temporary use I got an old 5 gallon bucket - I guess any big plastic tub would do, filled it with old lead pipe off cuts, chunks of cast iron, steel etc and concrete. Finished off with a big chunky steel loop (I used a scrap 4" gate valve :cool:) Although it's movable you certainly can't run away with it!

This might be a better short term approach in fairness. The bike is already alarmed, imobilised, and has a disc lock and cable lock and will be getting a somewhat larger chain through it later today. I just need to put some tinting film up on the windows to stop prying eyes and I'll feel a whole lot happier....

[Durbs]

I know Alpinestarhero uses a bucket of concrete with a chain.

Thats a really good idea, i might use that one.

[Dangerous Dave]

It'd stop opportunists, but as I'm sure you're aware, it's fairly easy to cut/break the wood.
+ 1, any determinded thief will steal it whether it was bolted down to concrete also!

[muffles]

I think a bucket of concrete with a ground anchor is a good idea but I should probably mention that my GSX-R 600 was stolen attached to one of these. All it needs is an extra thief, to lift the concrete as the others lift the bike, unfortunately.

I don't know if anyone else has any experience of thieves & the concrete bucket method, I may be the only (unfortuante) one :shaking:

[Ceri JC]

If using the bucket approach, you might want to consider a "trug"; a high capacity gardening bucket like these. There is no way 45 litres of concrete is going anywhere easily!

http://www.gardenxtras.com/productdetail.asp?productid=150&catcode=17&catname=Trug+Trolley%99+and+Trugs

NB: As it'd be so heavy, I'd only recommend this as more permanent measure as disposing of it afterwards would be a real pig (most likely pick axes/stone cutting angle grinder to cut it into managable chunks).

[Gazza77]

If using the bucket approach, you might want to consider a "trug"; a high capacity gardening bucket like these. There is no way 45 litres of concrete is going anywhere easily!

http://www.gardenxtras.com/productdetail.asp?productid=150&catcode=17&catname=Trug+Trolley%99+and+Trugs

NB: As it'd be so heavy, I'd only recommend this as more permanent measure as disposing of it afterwards would be a real pig (most likely pick axes/stone cutting angle grinder to cut it into managable chunks).

I've a sneaking feeling that might fall through the floor. :rolleyes:

[muffles]

I am unsure of the weight-to-volume ratio of concrete but mine weighed 50kg after I was done with it...just FYI!

[Dave The Rave]

I am unsure of the weight-to-volume ratio of concrete but mine weighed 50kg after I was done with it...just FYI!

Alternatively 10 litre bucket filled with mercury. That will also go absolutely nowhere :-)

[muffles]

Alternatively 10 litre bucket filled with mercury. That will also go absolutely nowhere :-)

I prefer dark matter :smt046

[Ceri JC]

Alternatively 10 litre bucket filled with mercury. That will also go absolutely nowhere :-)

Surely if it's knocked over, a bucket of mercury will go everywhere?

[simesb]

Surely if it's knocked over, a bucket of mercury will go everywhere?

Or worse, form into the Terminator T-1000 or similar

[xXBADGERXx]

Or worse, form into the Terminator T-1000 or similar

As long as it is on your side and protecting the bike then it`s all good baby :cool:

[scottjames]

also depends on what type of wood floor. some times old wood floors are solid and with a coach bolt through em i dont think it would go any where, if we are on about newer floors then probaly the concrete tub idea. :p

i always found a good alarm helps me keep peace of mind, other than tht i just chain round the rear wheel.