Will it hurt my bike to leave it in the back of my truck, cranked down, all weekend?
Load my cbr up on Saturday and came to Clear Lake from Orange. I was obviously planning on taking it out and riding some, but never got around to it.
Anyways, I don't have a wheel chock, I just have the front shocks cranked down like I normally do. I have a feeling it's not too good for my shocks to leave it like this over a few days.
Opinions?
Tim
I would release the pressure on the straps enough to hold the bike but not compress the forks could blow a seal !!!!
Will do.
Thanks Allen!
I read an article about this in one of my recent motorcycle magazines. Someone had questions about this exact same question. The response from the motorcycle editors was that it will be ok. Just not to leave it there for an extended amount of time. Like say 1 month or so. The guy was traveling across country and was going to have his bike cinched down for that period. They said it would not weaken fork springs or blow seals, just to not cinch it any more than needed. The article was either in Motorcyclist or Cycle World. Hope this helps. :D
Thank you Lance.
I need to go ahead and get me a wheel chock so I don't have to crank it so much, but til then...
I made wheel "chocks" from scrap lumber -- made each piece in the shape of an "I" (the letter I, but in Times New Roman Type face), so that they will jam inside the truck bed between the tire and the side of the bed. Takes four of 'em for both wheels.
The tie downs I use keeps the bike from moving fore and aft, and the above mentioned braces prevent the tires from slipping sideways.
Holds the bike secure without compressing the suspension much.
Quote from: lragan on December 08, 2008, 07:12:00 PM
I made wheel "chocks" from scrap lumber -- made each piece in the shape of an "I" (the letter I, but in Times New Roman Type face), so that they will jam inside the truck bed between the tire and the side of the bed. Takes four of 'em for both wheels.
The tie downs I use keeps the bike from moving fore and aft, and the above mentioned braces prevent the tires from slipping sideways.
Holds the bike secure without compressing the suspension much.
Do you have any pictures by chance?
I'm thinking of making a single chock. Basically like a 2x4 against the cab with the chock built against that. And possibly another similar one, but with 2 chocks if I ever need to fit both bikes back there.
I definitely need a chock. It takes me way too long to get one bike strapped down atm by myself.
A $39.00 wheel chock from Harbor Freight bolted to a 2'x4'x3/4" plywood will work in the back of your truck (pushed against the cab) makes it easy to strap your by yourself. It also works good around the shop to hold your bike upright while your working on it.
Charles' solution is far superior to mine -- and just a bit more expensive. If you can afford the HF wheel chock, I would definitely go this route.
Still, a good idea.
I'll try out the chock then.
Thanks for the info.
$40 is not bad for a Wheel chalk like this one at harbor Freight that you can drive your bike into and it locks the front tire in for you.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96349 (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96349)
Or even better for $60
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=97841 (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=97841)
Thanks Herman.
I haven't gotten around to lookin at the chalks yet, but it looks like you just did the work for me. =)
Tim
I've been thinking about getting one....you wanna do the work for me? :lol: :lol: