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

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.

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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!! ;)

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

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?

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

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.

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

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 :)

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

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
Can you see what I mean in my hastily prepared graphic representation?
(Please, please, autographs later)

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

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