Two ratchet straps,bike and a transit-how do I tie down

[monkey]

I need to move a bike a long distance. I'll have an empty transit and two good thick tie down straps. How do I do it?

I thought I'd park the bike with wheel up to the bulkhead, wrap the tie down around each fork above the top yolke thingy so it didn't slip sideways, ratchet it down so there's some tension on the straps from suspension being compressed with the straps at the furthest points in the corner of the van. With the back I was gonna wrap the strap round the frame and again tie it down compressing the suspension.

Does this sound ok?

I know this has been covered but I can't find a suitable search phrase.

[600+]

I would have thought you need to tie it down from the handlebars - 1 strap each side and then use another 2 straps to tie it down somewhere from the rear? maybe the footpegs?

[dirtydog]

When ever I've had a bike in the van I've put the front wheel against the bulkhead put a ratchet strap around each handle bar and then to the front corner of the van and then either 1 ratchet strap over the seat or 1 ratchet strap from eack pillion peg to the back corners of the van

[hovis]

get some more straps IMO

leave it in gear

1 round each bar, to the floor
1 over seat, put cloth on seat to protect it
1 on each side of the frame

& more wherever you can, as i have had a bike fall off a trailer,(old crapy TY250) so now im extra carful

HTH

[Blue_SV650S]

If you only have two, use BOTH straps individually on the front, I tend to the strap round the bars, but by ‘feeding’ it between the top and bottom yoke – one for the left fork/bar – one for the right – with it between the yokes, there is no way the strap it can hop out. Then indeed compress the forks with the straps – about ½ their full travel should be enough.

You can use the loose ends or bits of rope to secure the rear, but as long as the front is strapped down hard, the rear won’t go far, bit more importantly the bike will NEVER fall over!!

Finally drive with respect that you have a bike in the back - i.e. no jumps over hump back bridges!! ;)

[monkey]

..... there is no way the strap it can hop out. ......

Do you mean the bike will want to shift toward the ratchet as I tighten it? Could I not compensate for this when tying it down and make it taught to the right with the forks compressed first so that the one strap is acting as two? I should be able to actualy tie a knot around eack fork. Get what I mean? With the bike compressed won't the fact it's on it's stand stop it falling over?

[Spanner Man]

Morning all.

Having collected a bike or two over the years my method is to place the front wheel against the bulkhead with the bike in gear & on it's side stand. I then un-thread the ratchet straps and pass the end of the strap over the bottom yoke & re-thread the strap. This provided the straps used have a short tail strap keeps the ratchet away from the bodywork or mudguards.....Watch that you don't splay the straps too much because you can catch the fairing on a faired bike, this will depend on how many anchor points you have on the floor of the van in question.

For my van I made a low level bulkhead form steel tubing & box a bit like a dog guard, (for a dog of dinosaur proportions) I have 1 inch straps made that have no tail strap & just 3 metres of webbing, I pass a strap over the bottom yoke on either side, down & around some part of the 'dog guard, then thread it into the ratchet & hey presto! !5 years & I haven't lost one yet!

If you have suitable anchor points a strap through the rear wheel at floor level might stop the bike doing a somersault in the event of an accident or emergency stop.

Cheers.

[Blue_SV650S]

Do you mean the bike will want to shift toward the ratchet as I tighten it? Could I not compensate for this when tying it down and make it taught to the right with the forks compressed first so that the one strap is acting as two? I should be able to actualy tie a knot around eack fork. Get what I mean? With the bike compressed won't the fact it's on it's stand stop it falling over?

Yeah, that wasn’t very descriptive!! :D If you put the strap OVER the top yoke, there is a possibility when/if the suspension moves up and down when you are on the move that the strap can slip off the yoke/fork tops. With it in between the yokes and wrapped over the bars, there is nowhere for it to go :)

[monkey]

That's why I'll tie it around the yolk so the strap can't move left or right or jump off. Know what I mean?

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/928/yolkzz6.png (http://imageshack.us)
Can you see what I mean in my hastily prepared graphic representation?
(Please, please, autographs later)

[FG1]

I am at work on nights this weekend so if you need more strops and an Abba stand to transport the bike let me know.
When are you transporting it and for how long.
Don't forget, I am only across the road from your flat.
Give me a ring if you need help, Tony 0794 6449107

[monkey]

I am at work on nights this weekend so if you need more strops and an Abba stand to transport the bike let me know.
When are you transporting it and for how long.
Don't forget, I am only across the road from your flat.
Give me a ring if you need help, Tony 0794 6449107

Cheers Ginger! You're a real gent. Got to go from Inverness!!!! to London. I doubt that your abba would fit without the adaptor. I'm getting a nearly new Triumph you see. I've got two good long straps and two long lengths of rope and some tyres to wedge it in if I need so I think I'll be ok. Was gonna put it on the side stand with the steering lock on. That should be ok shouldn't it? If I'm gonna compress the springs it can't put much more stress on it than someone sitting on the bike can it?

Going up there Sunday and coming back Monday, hopefully within 24 hours. Oh yes it will be a real adventure.

P.S. Furry any word on that track day? Have had to turn the boys next one down cos I really can't afford it. Think it's gonna rain anyway.

Hey furry you know anyone that might be interested in my SV? K3 7500 miles.

[Blue_SV650S]

Cheers Ginger! You're a real gent. Got to go from Inverness!!!! to London. I doubt that your abba would fit without the adaptor. I'm getting a nearly new Triumph you see. I've got two good long straps and two long lengths of rope and some tyres to wedge it in if I need so I think I'll be ok. Was gonna put it on the side stand with the steering lock on. That should be ok shouldn't it? If I'm gonna compress the springs it can't put much more stress on it than someone sitting on the bike can it?

Going up there Sunday and coming back Monday, hopefully within 24 hours. Oh yes it will be a real adventure.

P.S. Furry any word on that track day? Have had to turn the boys next one down cos I really can't afford it. Think it's gonna rain anyway.

Hey furry you know anyone that might be interested in my SV? K3 7500 miles.

Don't use an ABBA stand and don't put the steering lock on ;)

[monkey]

Don't use an ABBA stand and don't put the steering lock on ;)

You can't just say that! Why no to putting the steering lock on? Would it put too much stress on it? I was thinking that'd be the main thing to keep it rigid. Please tell me to put it on the side stand.

[Blue_SV650S]

You can't just say that! Why no to putting the steering lock on? Would it put too much stress on it? I was thinking that'd be the main thing to keep it rigid. Please tell me to put it on the side stand.

I don’t see what you would be gaining, you are putting undue stresses on the steering lock …

I used an abba stand once and I ended up breaking the little feet off the stand … so not only did I break the stand, it was actually offering zero support after it broke anyway!! ;)

As it is a road bike I see you have two options, put it in its sidestand and then use the straps to make sure it can’t ‘lift off’ the sidestand, or the well proven method of compressing the front suspension and using the anchor points on the front. either will work …