Ive just bought a motorbike and need to get it home (about 30 miles). Its a ZXR400 and the only trailer we have is a flat bed type trailer. The trailer has an ring in each corner to tie stuff down to. What would be the best way to strap the bike down to stop any movement and without damaging the bike.

Cheers
Mikkel

lay it on some beanbags?

You need something to press the front wheel against. Then you can pull it down forwards on the handle bars. But I guess you already knew this.

Btw do you need a fine can for the bike?
like this:
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/photos.php?action=showphoto&photo=Sportuitlaat.jpg

If it's not faired then lay it down on some tyres before strapping down, if it is faired then it's going to be tricky.

I'd put a good tie down strap from the front lhs side tie point to the front rhs tie point, with a loop around the bottom low point of the front wheel, and pull tight.

Then put another strap from the rear lhs side tie point to the rear rhs tie point, with a loop around the bottom low point of the rear wheel, and pull tight.

Then another two straps from the handle bars or fork tops to the front tie points on both sides and pull tight.

Cheers

Fred W B


[Edited on 15/10/08 by Fred W B]

does the flatbed have a front section like a bulkhead you can push the front of the bike up against?

I once used a bike rack to transport one of my lighter MX bikes, it was not properly secured and I had to slam on, I ended up with a huge dint in the back of the boot and a rather red face.

If you do not butt the front wheel against something then you are asking for trouble.

I bought one of these

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=110280824444

and it works a treat bolted to my trailer.

cheers guys, this will be the only time ill need to transport it by trailer i hope so wouldnt be worht buying the stand.

I think im going to give it go as described by fred WB. seems like a good plan. And then ill give it a good wobble to make sure its not going to slip over as soon as i take a corner.

Cheers guys.

Having moved bikes both strapped and standing and also laid down - I would strongly reccommend you strap it upright.

If the bike has a centre stand, put it on that on the flatbed then straps through the front wheel to somewhere up front, same for the back wheel then take the seat off and strap left to right with 2 separate straps.

HAve moved a few bikes on an old caravan chassis (effectively a flat bed) like this over hundreds of miles with no worries.

Might need to pack under the rear wheel with a few bits of wood or something.

When transporting a custom chopper with no centre stand I screwed a couple of bits of thick wood to the flat bed to go either side of the wheels to stop it moving around.

A version of the above would be your best bet on a flatbed I reckon.

Dont lie it down!!

Hope that helps?!

Geoff

Apart from making sure it can't go forwards or back the main thing is to ensure the wheels can't slip out sideways. Can you not run a couple of 4x2's down the centre, making a channel for the wheels to sit in and then tie/attach them at each end? If you lay it down on tyres make sure the battery is taken out.
BOL.
Cheers, Pewe

if you are going to transport the bike upright then another tip to stop the bike going forward/backwards is to get some velcro tape or soft rope and strap the front brake so that it is on during transportation i.e. pull the lever in and tie the strap/rope round it and the throttle bar.