GL1800 Trailer Tie Down Points.

[Dave Ritsema]

This is a subject people always get razzed on but the reality of the situation is that sometimes some of us have to put our bikes on a trailer. On my Valkyrie I used the RJ method which is a LA chock that I ride into, then four ratchet straps tied to the crash bars. EZ Peazey.

I have been reading on the Goldwing forums that this is a big no-no and one must use the front lower triple tree and remove the side panels for the rear straps, both of which are WAY more of a PITA then using the crash bars. The argument is that the bolts can snap on said bars as they are not designed for the pulling down forces. If I knew for sure that the crashbars on my F6B were just as strong as my Valkyrie's were I wouldn't worry about it at all, but I am wondering if they are not as strong on the newer bikes.  ???

[LL]

I've had my F6B on a trailer, I had soft tyes on the lower trees and at a slight angle off the rear crash bars. Just for giggles I had some smaller ones tied to the case guards too, some cheapies but it made me feel better. It rode rock solid.

LLarry

[olddog1946]

Might be due to the new bike having an aluminum frame, undue stress on bolts/bars could strip out the aluminum ???

[Warlock]

This is a subject people always get razzed on but the reality of the situation is that sometimes some of us have to put our bikes on a trailer. On my Valkyrie I used the RJ method which is a LA chock that I ride into, then four ratchet straps tied to the crash bars. EZ Peazey.

I have been reading on the Goldwing forums that this is a big no-no and one must use the front lower triple tree and remove the side panels for the rear straps, both of which are WAY more of a PITA then using the crash bars. The argument is that the bolts can snap on said bars as they are not designed for the pulling down forces. If I knew for sure that the crashbars on my F6B were just as strong as my Valkyrie's were I wouldn't worry about it at all, but I am wondering if they are not as strong on the newer bikes.  ???

When I trailered my goldwing home I used the lower forks, the engine crash bars and the saddlebgs guards. Rode with no problem for 6 hrs non stop. The only reason I trailered it was 27 degrees and plus I had to carry 2 bikes up there and one of them was my 05 Goldwing which was strapped the same way.
David

[R J]

Dave, I hauled a Gold Wing back from DC, Rolling thunder, he was in an accident.  My son went with me so as to help with my O2 requirements.    We drove straight through and straight back.   The owner of the bike didn't want to drive straight through so he got on the Amtrack and had a train ride home.

We beat him home by 3 hours.     LOL........

I used my Valkyrie method as you called it and it never moved off base.

Several years ago Murdoc bought a wrecked Gold Wing in Iowa and I hauled it to Ohio with my old way.   It rode like it was implanted into the trailer floor.   Your F6B weighs in less than an 1800 Gold Wing.

I'd say give it a try and watch the bolts on every stop, for gas or a pee call.

It ya see anything strange happening, then go to the triple tree.    BUT only as a last resort.

As long as your LA Chock is set up right, there shouldn't be any movement anyway.

Have a safe trip to InZane & back home...

[eric in md]

on the these things we call motorcycles nowadays  you really need a strap across handle bars its called a cannon dancer they work great .. then some straps

[R J]

on the these things we call motorcycles nowadays  you really need a strap across handle bars its called a cannon dancer they work great .. then some straps

If that strap is supposed to stop something, then they need to adjust the LA Chock.      If the chock is fitted correctly, the handle bars are not going to move.

If NO chock, then I might consider it, but I doubt I'd do it, as the handle bars are not really strong enough to support anything of that nature.   You stand a very good chance of breaking the support.

[LL]

It ya see anything strange happening, then go to the triple tree.    BUT only as a last resort.

RJ,
Why would you go to the triple tree as a last resort?
I have some  http://powertye.com/store/images/product_option/32582-s-thmb.jpg

which I use (have only trailered once) at all four corners on my F6B with one set on the lower triple trees and a set on the rear guards. They are so easy to use and in a wheel chock too, my only question was how far to cinch down the forks? 

Thanks

[R J]

It ya see anything strange happening, then go to the triple tree.    BUT only as a last resort.

RJ,
Why would you go to the triple tree as a last resort?
I have some  http://powertye.com/store/images/product_option/32582-s-thmb.jpg

which I use (have only trailered once) at all four corners on my F6B with one set on the lower triple trees and a set on the rear guards. They are so easy to use and in a wheel chock too, my only question was how far to cinch down the forks? 

Thanks

I did motor recovery for about 15+ years in California and in school (+ annual training) we were told not to use the trees unless nothing else would work.    As long as ya stay off the trees, the bike (shocks) will work to your advantage.    You pull a shock down and you will blow a seal.

When we lived in California and my mom & step dad lived back in the Midwest, we hauled the bike to & from so as to have something to ride while here for 2 or 3 weeks.   Kind of hard to ride a bike with a wife and 5 kids from California to Iowa.

When I was a motor officer riding Harleys before we got some Kawasaki's, I watched the pickup guys tie a bike down to haul it into the shop daily.   They were basically the ones I learned from before I went into recovery.

I'll suggest to you how to haul a bike, BUT, you haul it however you want to.

PS:    Your straps are basically what I use, only mine are attached to the trailer for ease of use, and they have retractable strap tails, so nothing to beat the paint.

[Dave Ritsema]

It ya see anything strange happening, then go to the triple tree.    BUT only as a last resort.

RJ,
Why would you go to the triple tree as a last resort?
I have some  http://powertye.com/store/images/product_option/32582-s-thmb.jpg

which I use (have only trailered once) at all four corners on my F6B with one set on the lower triple trees and a set on the rear guards. They are so easy to use and in a wheel chock too, my only question was how far to cinch down the forks? 

Thanks

Just to see what it would look like I tried using my straps on the triple tree's last night. I had to use my soft ties to get up and around the tree and then used my larger 3 inch straps run thru the loop of the soft tie. That strap is really, really close to the tupperware on the forks and has me pretty nervous. It is just so much easier to use the crash bars. The straps aren't anywhere near anything and I hate using the smaller soft straps because they become the weakest point of the tie down system. (My ratchet straps are 3 inch, soft ties are one inch.)

[f6gal]

It ya see anything strange happening, then go to the triple tree.    BUT only as a last resort.

RJ,
Why would you go to the triple tree as a last resort?
I have some  http://powertye.com/store/images/product_option/32582-s-thmb.jpg

which I use (have only trailered once) at all four corners on my F6B with one set on the lower triple trees and a set on the rear guards. They are so easy to use and in a wheel chock too, my only question was how far to cinch down the forks? 

Thanks

Just to see what it would look like I tried using my straps on the triple tree's last night. I had to use my soft ties to get up and around the tree and then used my larger 3 inch straps run thru the loop of the soft tie. That strap is really, really close to the tupperware on the forks and has me pretty nervous. It is just so much easier to use the crash bars. The straps aren't anywhere near anything and I hate using the smaller soft straps because they become the weakest point of the tie down system. (My ratchet straps are 3 inch, soft ties are one inch.)

No problems using crash bars so far.

[bassman]

It ya see anything strange happening, then go to the triple tree.    BUT only as a last resort.

RJ,
Why would you go to the triple tree as a last resort?
I have some  http://powertye.com/store/images/product_option/32582-s-thmb.jpg

which I use (have only trailered once) at all four corners on my F6B with one set on the lower triple trees and a set on the rear guards. They are so easy to use and in a wheel chock too, my only question was how far to cinch down the forks? 

Thanks

Just to see what it would look like I tried using my straps on the triple tree's last night. I had to use my soft ties to get up and around the tree and then used my larger 3 inch straps run thru the loop of the soft tie. That strap is really, really close to the tupperware on the forks and has me pretty nervous. It is just so much easier to use the crash bars. The straps aren't anywhere near anything and I hate using the smaller soft straps because they become the weakest point of the tie down system. (My ratchet straps are 3 inch, soft ties are one inch.)

No problems using crash bars so far.

Story I heard was while you are towing the bikes to Inzane, Psycho is sitting on one of them keeping an eye on the tie down points to make sure they are secure for the entire trip and while yelling VROOM VROOM VROOM and WEEEEEEEEEEE !!!   

Have a safe trip and enjoy the week !

[f6gal]

It ya see anything strange happening, then go to the triple tree.    BUT only as a last resort.

RJ,
Why would you go to the triple tree as a last resort?
I have some  http://powertye.com/store/images/product_option/32582-s-thmb.jpg

which I use (have only trailered once) at all four corners on my F6B with one set on the lower triple trees and a set on the rear guards. They are so easy to use and in a wheel chock too, my only question was how far to cinch down the forks? 

Thanks

Just to see what it would look like I tried using my straps on the triple tree's last night. I had to use my soft ties to get up and around the tree and then used my larger 3 inch straps run thru the loop of the soft tie. That strap is really, really close to the tupperware on the forks and has me pretty nervous. It is just so much easier to use the crash bars. The straps aren't anywhere near anything and I hate using the smaller soft straps because they become the weakest point of the tie down system. (My ratchet straps are 3 inch, soft ties are one inch.)

No problems using crash bars so far.

Story I heard was while you are towing the bikes to Inzane, Psycho is sitting on one of them keeping an eye on the tie down points to make sure they are secure for the entire trip and while yelling VROOM VROOM VROOM and WEEEEEEEEEEE !!!   

Have a safe trip and enjoy the week !

That's how I know there hasn't been any problems so far! 
We'll miss seeing you Neil!

[R J]

I remember hauling Pyscho's bike from Bakersfield to Phx one year after Mike had his accident.      I rode MGM while one of our good friends girlfriend at the time drove my truck.  1st time she ever pulled a trailer if I remeber correctly.

Ended up we locked f6gal and Pyscho out of their house.   Someone locked the garage door to the house as we left.     I put the key where f6gal told me, but she couldn't find it.

I also remember someone coming up and mouthing off that was no way to tie down a bike on a trailer.   That it would fall off. 

I asked them if they would follow us and let us know when the bike got loose and was ready to fall off.    They walked off and never said another word.    LOL.

[Dave Ritsema]

RJ, your method still works great on F6B's

[R J]

Dave old buddy.

You had a doubt?

LOL.

 

[Dave Ritsema]

Dave old buddy.

You had a doubt?

LOL.

 

Thats what I get for listening to internet chatter. I will say that I never noticed the Valkyrie's crash bars deflect as I was snugging down the ratchet straps but I did on the F6B. I think they are a little thinner but everything worked out OK.

My trailer needs some work however, fender dang near fell off on the way home, second time it has cracked a bunch of welds. I need to find someone in my area that does aluminum welding, it has several other places where the welds are starting to fail. I guess thats a hazard of using aluminum in trailer construction.

[R J]

Are you fastening as close to the block as you can?

On the Valk, there was a piece welded on to the crash bar about 2" from the block.

That is where I always hooked on behind.

Maybe with all you tupper ware ya might have to do some digging to find it.

I wouldn't think Honda would change the way the bar is built and mounted.   Maybe lighter material but nothing else should change.    LOL..  like a pile of cow manure also.

Sorry to hear the trailer  is falling apart.

I don't know anyone else who owns one now so I can't go ask how their's is holding up.    I know I had a fender come loose before you got it, but I attributed it to the 100 mph trip it made from Colorado to Iowa one cold assed morning and day.    My heater had screwed up and I wasn't letting any grass grow under my wheels.

[Dave Ritsema]

RJ,

No problem on the trailer, I have gotten many good years of service out of it.