cheapo fork support/brace for trailering
#32
11-28-2012, 12:05 AM
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: kootenay country BC Canada
Posts: 1,800
Yup, can find just about anything on Amazon...
Amazon.com: Passion Natural Water-Based Lubricant - 55 Gallon: Health & Personal Care
Amazon.com: Passion Natural Water-Based Lubricant - 55 Gallon: Health & Personal Care
WOW, you must have quite the "parties" in your neck of the woods
#33
11-28-2012, 01:11 AM
I would not trust the friction tie downs unless the bike was in a truck bed, or somewhere contained. On any thing the bike can fall out of, like a hitch rack, or loaded close to the edge of a low trailer, ratchet straps are the way to go. I think its irresponsible to have the bike in a situation that, if only one strap broke or came loose, the bike could fall off into traffic.
I don't think it is too harmful to compress the suspension while hauling, but I also don't think you can get the bike cinched down good unless you have some sort of brace. I used to use a couple pieces of wood between the wheels and fenders, but a friend showed me ,what I think is a better way. It is a small wooden pedestal that is slightly shorter than the distance between the skid-plate and my hitch carrier. You position the pedestal under the bike and as you strap it down, the suspension is compressed slightly, enough to plant the tires to the rack, and then when the skid-plate comes into contact with the pedestal you can tighten until it's rock solid. This requires ratchet straps, but like I said , I would never think of using friction straps on the hitch carrier. I use the soft loop style strap so you aren't scratching up your bars or forks. When my bike is loaded, you cant wiggle the bike without wiggling the truck.
I have nifty chain/hook that I can lean the bike on while i position my pedestal and straps. Roll bike up onto carrier and hook chain to the footpeg.
lean the bike over and let the chain hold it while you situate you pedestal / straps.
Soft loop straps around the fork tubes.
Tighten the **** out of your ratchet straps, and add two more in the rear to help center the the tension on the pedestal, and serve as backups in case a strap breaks. ( I think that the straps in the back could be the friction type as the front straps do most of the work.)
This is how I do it
I'd rather err on the side of caution.
Dan
Bike is rock solid.
I don't think it is too harmful to compress the suspension while hauling, but I also don't think you can get the bike cinched down good unless you have some sort of brace. I used to use a couple pieces of wood between the wheels and fenders, but a friend showed me ,what I think is a better way. It is a small wooden pedestal that is slightly shorter than the distance between the skid-plate and my hitch carrier. You position the pedestal under the bike and as you strap it down, the suspension is compressed slightly, enough to plant the tires to the rack, and then when the skid-plate comes into contact with the pedestal you can tighten until it's rock solid. This requires ratchet straps, but like I said , I would never think of using friction straps on the hitch carrier. I use the soft loop style strap so you aren't scratching up your bars or forks. When my bike is loaded, you cant wiggle the bike without wiggling the truck.
I have nifty chain/hook that I can lean the bike on while i position my pedestal and straps. Roll bike up onto carrier and hook chain to the footpeg.
lean the bike over and let the chain hold it while you situate you pedestal / straps.
Soft loop straps around the fork tubes.
Tighten the **** out of your ratchet straps, and add two more in the rear to help center the the tension on the pedestal, and serve as backups in case a strap breaks. ( I think that the straps in the back could be the friction type as the front straps do most of the work.)
This is how I do it
I'd rather err on the side of caution. Dan
Bike is rock solid.
Last edited by dan888; 11-28-2012 at 01:16 AM.
#34
11-28-2012, 02:35 PM
Dan888,
That looks like one of the better ideas I've seen/heard using that pedestal. Thanks for sharing man, if I hadn't of already ordered a fork brace yesterday I'd build on of those. I think I still may build on for my fiance's bike.
Paul
That looks like one of the better ideas I've seen/heard using that pedestal. Thanks for sharing man, if I hadn't of already ordered a fork brace yesterday I'd build on of those. I think I still may build on for my fiance's bike.
Paul
#38
11-29-2012, 08:55 PM
Well I decided to go ahead and buy one. I got this one for $14 on eBay with free shipping. For that price you can't go wrong.
