Transporting a bike in transit van.

[punyXpress]

Have a look at Paul6's thread ?

[yorkie_chris]

Put the front wheel in the corner. Strap it down

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

Put the front wheel in the corner. Strap it down

+ if you can get a set of ratchet straps (£10 from Halfords) use the tie down points on the floor to compress the front suspension (with front brake held on too if ya like). This will mean the bike is preventing itself from falling either way. you want the straps roun d the bars or the yolk (depoends on bike how you do this). The point about wedging tyhe front wheel is important though - you don';t wanmt it rolling forward when you brake. Strap over the rear seat is alos a good idea but not essential.

[timwilky]

I have a front wheel grab, It is a fantastic thing for keeping the bike upright. When I use a van I bolt it to a piece of wood to extend the width and it has never tipped.

Originally Posted by 2hys

when i got my 125 i had to pick it up from telford i hired a vw transporter i put the bike onto its center stand (i dont know if this is a opiton for you, side stand should be ok) wraped a strap around the headstock and one through the rear wheel done the trick, and used a offcut of scaffold as a ramp.. HTH

Putting a bike on the centre stand ina van, even tied down, is a bad idea. It rocks forward and its off the stand (had this happen to me)

Ratchet strap over the seat forcing the bike down onto the side stand. A couple round the forks and grabrail and you'll be fine

[yorkie_chris]

It is REALLY hard to try and explain to people that bikes are more stable on the side stand than the centre stand

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

It is REALLY hard to try and explain to people that bikes are more stable on the side stand than the centre stand

Yup, centre stand the bike is upright, the 3 (or sometimes two if the back wheel is lifted) points of contact are in a straight line. It has to balance.

Side stand the 3 points of contact are in a triangle and therefore stable. I dont see why people don't get it.

If using a centre stand was the most stable method of securing a bike then why do people use tripods to support cameras, surveying equipment and the like instead of 3 legs in a straight line?......oh yeah......because it would fall over!

[dizzyblonde]

Like I said in PT6ths thread. Get someone to sit on bike in van......best blind riding rollercoaster ride ever!!

[andrewsmith]

Originally Posted by toby_smith

Yup, centre stand the bike is upright, the 3 (or sometimes two if the back wheel is lifted) points of contact are in a straight line. It has to balance.

Side stand the 3 points of contact are in a triangle and therefore stable. I dont see why people don't get it.

If using a centre stand was the most stable method of securing a bike then why do people use tripods to support cameras, surveying equipment and the like instead of 3 legs in a straight line?......oh yeah......because it would fall over!

Theres is the technical answer.
One other thing to note is if you use a flat bed transporter it is advisable to give the bike a 4th point of contact (per se) by putting a strap through the frame or over the seat.

Found this one out through bad luck and noticed it in time

2 scaffold boards as a ramp. Abba stand and 2 ratchet straps to hold it down. Rock solid all the way from Manchester to Scotland.