Ferry

[Shotgun]

I'm going to be taking the Lake Express across Lake Michigan in a couple of weeks.  Any suggestions on tying the bike down?  Also, having dealt with hydrolock in the past (and not yet installing a Pingel), I'm paranoid about having it happen again.  I know that everyone says to turn off the fuel when you're trailering, but I don't think that would prevent fuel that's in the carbs from getting into the cylinders on a rough trip.  Should I try and run as much fuel out of the carbs before I tie it down?  Any suggestions are appreciated.

[Ricky-D]

Rough trip???

You will find that huge ferry is smooth and comfortable.

No need to worry about anything.

***

[R J]

When I and my daughter rode the ferry abput 10+ years ago.    The Ferry people loaded us last, they had us ride them on and they assisted in the tie down.

I turned off the fuel and they laid a 4" strap from one railroad track across the seat and onto the other railroad track.    Kick stand up and they cinched MGM down like a donkey you were going to brand and didn't want to get kicked.    When we got across, we were the 1st to unload and be on our way.     Was fun, only the next time, I'll load on the last ferry for the evening and sleep on the deck on the way across.    That way I'll at least be rested for the journey in MI, as it seems they do not like motors in their camp grounds.    Ya have to leave the motor at the main gate and walk in.    NO thank you.

[Ricky-D]

If you haven't been, here's a couple of pictures of the ferry taken in 2004





They (the ferry people) will not care about your bike and whether or not you strap it down.

The best and only things you need do are two:

1) Tie the front brake lever down some to keep the bike in place and stop any rolling back or forth.
2) Use a strap on the clutch side handlebar to keep the bike solid down on the kickstand.

Anything else is superfluous!

***

[hubcapsc]

We just flopped down the kickstands and walked away on the ferry at Galveston... different
ferrys may require different precautions...



-Mike

[Challenger]

Same here, just left it in gear and on the side stand, I didn't get very far a way from her though!

[Oss]

the lake express is the one from muskeegon to milwaukee

They have tie downs that you ratchet to D hooks on the deck

I used 4 of them  sidestand down tied to the crash bars front and rear on the interstate

did not turn off the fuel valve but you can if you want to

[xman]

You could run it dry with the fuel off,  but remember you will have to crank it  long time to refill. When I trailered 4 days, before starting I pulled all the plugs, cranked it over.

Tom  

[Shotgun]

I'm going on the Lake Express.  It's faster but I've heard some say it's a lot rougher, especially if the water is rough.  I'll probably leave it in gear and snug it down from the triple tree and the rear foot pegs