How tight's tight?

[99CR250]

Hi
when tieing down the front of a bike to a trailer is there any rule of thumb on how tight to go? question is about adult bike, & also for 50/80 peewees which have softer suspension.
Also with 3 bikes on I can't strap adult bike to trailer corners as kids bikes in the way, have to strap just at slight angle forward to trailer A frame, if this makes any diffference, front wheel is in own bay between two blocks.
Cheers

[Blagger]

Screwing the suspension is nothing compared to having it coming off - my rule for tying any load down is if I grab the load (bike, whatever) and shake it slowly the whole vehicle (ute/trailer) should wobble back and forth.
Some guys stick a stump of firewood on top of their tyre and pull the travel of the bike suspension down 'til the inside top of the mudguard hits it but I haven't tried that myself

[laserracer]

we put a peice of 4x2 about 10'' to 12 ''long under the front guard and onto the top of the tire then pull tiedowns tight we carried 2 bikes last weekend to mx 1 was just tied down and the other tied down with the 4x2 The one without the wood was less stable sideways but still wouldnt have fallen off ..You can also buy plastic ones off trade me but woods cheaper ...try and put your tiedowns as wide as possible

[SpikedPunch]

we put a peice of 4x2 about 10'' to 12 ''long under the front guard and onto the top of the tire then pull tiedowns tight we carried 2 bikes last weekend to mx 1 was just tied down and the other tied down with the 4x2 The one without the wood was less stable sideways but still wouldnt have fallen off ..You can also buy plastic ones off trade me but woods cheaper ...try and put your tiedowns as wide as possible

If you do this make sure to secure your suspension saver/wood with something so if it comes loose it won't go flying off. We've had our SSavers pop out over big bumps once or twice, we use a curly cord to keep them attached to the bikes

[Latte]

we put a peice of 4x2 about 10'' to 12 ''long under the front guard and onto the top of the tire then pull tiedowns tight we carried 2 bikes last weekend to mx 1 was just tied down and the other tied down with the 4x2 The one without the wood was less stable sideways but still wouldnt have fallen off ..You can also buy plastic ones off trade me but woods cheaper ...try and put your tiedowns as wide as possible

Anyone got a picture of this in action? never heard/seen it before (I'm guessing it stops the forks compressing and taking the weight off the wheel allowing it to move around?)

[SpikedPunch]

Like this but with a bit of wood instead:

[RJM]

I swear by the block of wood technique. When I first bought my bike back in November a mate and I ventured down to Taupo. By the time we got down there was fork oil all over the trailer from his bike. I do need to modify my block with a little cross piece so it can't fall out, and will make it easer for tieing down.

I tie my bike down as tight as possible at the front and throw an extra tie down across the rear tyre for longer trips.

[99CR250]

Thanks I'd forgotten about the block thang, used tp useit long time ago, will add the cross also
cheers

[FlangMasterJ]

I use an aluminium fork saver. Pretty cheap at $25.

[laserracer]

Yep thats the one ..nice find.. SPIKEY..We crank ours down tight so the suspension cant compress has never come lose in 2 years but i do cover the top side with a bit of foam

[Latte]

Interesting. I've never used one in and I don't strap the rear down either. Probably a sign I'm cranking them down way too much huh.

[barty5]

Nah cause ive never used them either just pulled down even and firm never blown seals while bikes been on trailer ever.

[Reckless]

Some say you don't need them, some always use them, I'm of the later bunch and always use one.
Mainly because I can't help strapping them down really tight and don't won't that much oil pressure on the seals when they are strapped down tight and the trailer is banging itself over bumps as well.

Ok so all you need is an old bit of 4x2 300mm long and a bit off the side of an old nail box or packing case and a little black spray paint!
Cut a curve in the bottom, screw on the cross piece, Done!!
Oh and I have put some foam over the top since the pics where taken.
Then Pull the bike down till the fork prop punches into the tyre, mine have never moved (the cross piece is important).
Pics attached, they'll cost you nothing!

[vr4king]

And to add to this i use one of those plastic things and they seem to reduse blown fork seals.............Also i know hondas have hollow axles maybe some other colours do to but i have a piece of threaded rod through the axle with a eye nut on each end done up hand tight then you can hook a tie down to each side of the axles rod and secure the back from sliding around..........

For my ute i have made up a solid bit that connects to the axle rod to secure one side to the deck then just tie down across the tray to the other side also acts as a barrier to stop shit from sliding of when the tail gate is down

All rather well thought out hehehehehe

[Latte]

And to add to this i use one of those plastic things and they seem to reduse blown fork seals.............Also i know hondas have hollow axles maybe some other colours do to but i have a piece of threaded rod through the axle with a eye nut on each end done up hand tight then you can hook a tie down to each side of the axles rod and secure the back from sliding around..........

For my ute i have made up a solid bit that connects to the axle rod to secure one side to the deck then just tie down across the tray to the other side also acts as a barrier to stop shit from sliding of when the tail gate is down

All rather well thought out hehehehehe

Sounds like the polar opposite to me, tray down, stuff loose in the ute (even gloves/socks etc) , as long as it's near the front it seems to stay on fine. Although now I've mentioned it I'm bound to lose everything next time I go out