Really stupid tie down question!

**magicmonkey** · 20th November 2009, 10:51

Please excuse the huge amount of stupid I'm going to display here!

I'm off on the ferry tomorrow, heading to the south island for weekend on the bike. So, I got some tie downs from Welly motorcycles and I haven't a bloody clue how to use them! I thought they were standard ratchet types when I bought them but only unpacked them this morning and found they look like this:

could someone patient please tell me how they're meant to be used as the instructions on the box are useless and I'm having a really blonde day!

**Rosie** · 20th November 2009, 11:07

Originally Posted by magicmonkey

Please excuse the huge amount of stupid I'm going to display here!

I'm off on the ferry tomorrow, heading to the south island for weekend on the bike. So, I got some tie downs from Welly motorcycles and I haven't a bloody clue how to use them! I thought they were standard ratchet types when I bought them but only unpacked them this morning and found they look like this:

could someone patient please tell me how they're meant to be used as the instructions on the box are useless and I'm having a really blonde day!

Wrap the red bits over your handlebars, and fasten the loop on the end of the red bit to the black hook.
Put a block, or wheel chock in front of your front tyre. Leave the bike in gear.
Hook the silver carabiner to the hooks on the deck of the ferry, and reposition the tie downs on the handlebars so they aren't going to rub on any part of the bike when tightened up.
Tighten the two tie downs up alternately to compress the suspension down, and push the front wheel against the wheel chock. You want the same tension on each, so the bike is sitting upright.
Leave your sidestand down. Even though it will now be floating in mid air.

**magicmonkey** · 20th November 2009, 11:17

Thing is, these tie down's dont have ratchets on them, just a sliding attachment so I can't see how it's going to get any tighter than finger tight. I could get it there but is that really going to be enough to hold it?

I'm assuming that the suspension needs to be quite compressed so that it's not bouncing around so much the hooks come undone but it's something I've never done before so that could well be a brain fart!

**vifferman** · 20th November 2009, 11:20

The friction of the sliderthing should hold it tight. You use the springs in the bike's supension to provide the tension. If you're worried it's not secure enough, you can tie the end of the strap that you've pulled through the slider into a knot around the strap.

Practice before you go - see if you can tie the bike to something.
Oh - and take a pair of disposable gloves and a plastic bag. The straps often get all wet'n'salty, and it's a bugger having to put damp, salty paws into your bike gloves. Put the straps into the bag to keep their salty awfulness off whatever they're sharing luggage space with.

**Crisis management** · 20th November 2009, 11:24

Originally Posted by magicmonkey

Thing is, these tie down's dont have ratchets on them, just a sliding attachment so I can't see how it's going to get any tighter than finger tight. I could get it there but is that really going to be enough to hold it?

You have the best sort there are, the ratchet type are not particularly good....just pull the free end of the tie down strap, it will run through the locking mechanism thingie and you will easily have enough tension on the tie down to compress the front suspension completely.
I use these all the time on the trail bike and have been known to get the trailer (& bike) airborne on gravel roads so they are well up to the task.
Have a practice tonight, wrap the tie down around a bit of fencing and practise tightening and loosening the straps.

If your not sure about using them, lie the bike on its side and slide it tightly under the front of a near by truck on the ferry, that should hold it.

**magicmonkey** · 20th November 2009, 11:37

so, another question, for those of you who don't mind my continuing blonde streak, should I be attaching these to the centre of the handlebars (I think I mean the tripple clamp, still getting up to speed with the terms) or onto the actual handlebars themselves?

Also, when it's under the truck, shoud I use the left ot the right side?

**nadroj** · 20th November 2009, 11:42

Flash some leg! I'm sure a seaman will help you.....

**magicmonkey** · 20th November 2009, 11:44

Originally Posted by nadroj

Flash some leg! I'm sure a seaman will help you.....

yeah, I'm not too sure I want to be stuck on a boat with seamen all over me!

**Ronin** · 20th November 2009, 12:04

Originally Posted by magicmonkey

yeah, I'm not too sure I want to be stuck on a boat with seamen all over me!

must.... not..... post.............

**Flip** · 21st November 2009, 17:57

Rum, bum and accordion is the merchant navys verson of wine, women and song.

after connecting both hook ends you pull hard the loose end of the strap. The strap will slip through the buckle and the tiedown will tighten. To release push the button on the buckle.

**awa355** · 27th December 2009, 18:32

Originally Posted by magicmonkey

Please excuse the huge amount of stupid I'm going to display here!

I'm off on the ferry tomorrow, heading to the south island for weekend on the bike. So, I got some tie downs from Welly motorcycles and I haven't a bloody clue how to use them! I thought they were standard ratchet types when I bought them but only unpacked them this morning and found they look like this:

could someone patient please tell me how they're meant to be used as the instructions on the box are useless and I'm having a really blonde day!

These things are bloody useless. they slip when a load is on them. Get a ratchet type of tie down.

**Coldrider** · 27th December 2009, 19:10

You never know what state of repair the ferry tie downs are in, I always take my own, and I use the ferry alot.

**PrincessBandit** · 27th December 2009, 19:22

Originally Posted by nadroj

Flash some leg! I'm sure a seaman will help you.....

I had a lecturer at uni with that surname..... titter titter....

oh, and just to stay on topic, we used the loop type tie downs which go over each handle bar and then pull against each other as you tighten them. Fantastic and would recommend them to anyone.

**CookMySock** · 27th December 2009, 19:29

Originally Posted by awa355

These things are bloody useless. they slip when a load is on them. Get a ratchet type of tie down.

I don't like the look of them either, but I am told they are very good.

MM, tieing a bike down is easy when you have seen it done. Not so easy to learn it over the internet.

For myself ;

Nose the front wheel firmly into the wheel holder thingy, so the bike cant roll forward. Put the stand down and hop off the bike.

Attach the left tiedown to the bars and the tiedown point on the floor, and leave it sort of floppy and slack. Don't pull it tight.

Attach the right tiedown to the bars and the tiedown point on the floor, and carefully start to tension just this side slowly. The bike will start to tip upwards toward the balance point, lifting the stand off the floor.

There should be enough free LEFT tiedown so the bike can tip upwards onto the balance point. If there isn't, then free the right one, and let a little of the left one out.

Gently tighten them both evenly with the bike on its' balance point. Don't try to tighten against the stand - you will break it. If you tighten both of them a LOT you will compress the bike suspension until the stand contacts the floor again - this is not too critical.

Probably you dont need extra tie downs on the rear. If on a trailer, then you should.

Be careful, and take your time, and call someone if you get stuck.

Steve

**wbks** · 27th December 2009, 19:30

Originally Posted by magicmonkey

Please excuse the huge amount of stupid I'm going to display here!

I'm off on the ferry tomorrow, heading to the south island for weekend on the bike. So, I got some tie downs from Welly motorcycles and I haven't a bloody clue how to use them! I thought they were standard ratchet types when I bought them but only unpacked them this morning and found they look like this:

could someone patient please tell me how they're meant to be used as the instructions on the box are useless and I'm having a really blonde day!

I hate to jump on something like this, but weren't you insinuating that I was stupid a week or two back?