question about strapping a bike down in wheel chocks

Got questions? We got answers....
Post Reply
User avatar
diymirage
Supporting Member II
Supporting Member II
Posts: 2909
Joined: 05:00 pm Sep 19 2011
Country:
Location: michigan

question about strapping a bike down in wheel chocks

Post by diymirage »

hey guys

im looking into buying a few wheel chocks for the trailer
now, ive never used these before so i was wondering, do you guys still strap to the handlebars or through the tripples ?

i never liked the way the front end get compressed
ive seen little doohichies on the interwebs that sit on top of the front wheel, lean on the forks and rise up againt the lower tripple
this way, when you ratchet her down it acts as a stop for the suspesion and allows you to tie down the front end without bottoming out the suspension

thoughts?
newbbewb wrote:DIYmirage has it right.


-1996 KDX 200 woods weapon (converted to 99 green body)
-1996 KDX 200 plated street toy (barney edition)
-2003 Yamaha TTR125-L (wifeys bike)
-1997 KDX 220 project bike
User avatar
diymirage
Supporting Member II
Supporting Member II
Posts: 2909
Joined: 05:00 pm Sep 19 2011
Country:
Location: michigan

Re: question about strapping a bike down in wheel chocks

Post by diymirage »

here is one of the braces i mentioned

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pit-Posse-Motoc ... 87&vxp=mtr
newbbewb wrote:DIYmirage has it right.


-1996 KDX 200 woods weapon (converted to 99 green body)
-1996 KDX 200 plated street toy (barney edition)
-2003 Yamaha TTR125-L (wifeys bike)
-1997 KDX 220 project bike
User avatar
rbates9
Supporting Member II
Supporting Member II
Posts: 3164
Joined: 06:07 pm Apr 27 2010
Country:
Location: UPSTATE New York

question about strapping a bike down in wheel chocks

Post by rbates9 »

You shouldn't need to bottom out the suspension to keep the bike in place. And I would still strap to the bars.
User avatar
diymirage
Supporting Member II
Supporting Member II
Posts: 2909
Joined: 05:00 pm Sep 19 2011
Country:
Location: michigan

Re: question about strapping a bike down in wheel chocks

Post by diymirage »

that would be part of the issue, i never know when enough is enough
i usually have at least a one hour drive before i get to where i unload the bike and i would hate to loose her halfway through
newbbewb wrote:DIYmirage has it right.


-1996 KDX 200 woods weapon (converted to 99 green body)
-1996 KDX 200 plated street toy (barney edition)
-2003 Yamaha TTR125-L (wifeys bike)
-1997 KDX 220 project bike
User avatar
rbates9
Supporting Member II
Supporting Member II
Posts: 3164
Joined: 06:07 pm Apr 27 2010
Country:
Location: UPSTATE New York

question about strapping a bike down in wheel chocks

Post by rbates9 »

I go about an hour to get to where I'm going also and the roads that get me there tend to be rougher then the trails. :?

But if you tighten up the straps to take about a third of the travel out of the front forks you should be fine. Also get straps that have a carbiner type hook on them. Then as the bike moves even if the strap gets slack in it they won't fall off. Just remember, the springs in the forks are helping to keep the bike in place by pushing back all the time as the bike shifts around.

Something like these http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/43/ ... -Carabiner I don't have this brand but I made something simular.
User avatar
SS109
KDXRider.net
KDXRider.net
Posts: 5770
Joined: 05:11 am Aug 23 2009
Country: USA
Location: Tucson, AZ, USA
Contact:

question about strapping a bike down in wheel chocks

Post by SS109 »

I would drive around for a week with my bike strapped into my truck and have had no problems. Remember, springs don't wear out from being compressed. They wear out by being worked (ie; compressing and rebounding over and over). Just strap it in,d tighten down the straps like rbates said, and you will be good to go!
Youtube Channel: WildAzzRacing
AZ State Parks & Trails OHV Ambassador - Trail Riders of Southern AZ
Current KDX: '98 KDX220
Old KDX: '90 KDX200 -White/Blue
'11 GasGas EC250R
hbgod
Member
Posts: 333
Joined: 05:18 pm Jan 01 2012
Country:
Location: massachusettes

Re: question about strapping a bike down in wheel chocks

Post by hbgod »

i just hook the strap on either side to the handle bars and pull horizontally to my truck rather then vertically, it doesnt really compress the suspension at all and the thing wont move even down the nastiest roads.... tested :)
If you ain't Mixin Gas, You ain't Haulin Ass!
User avatar
bufftester
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 3455
Joined: 06:03 pm Oct 31 2012
Country: USA
Location: University Place, WA

Re: question about strapping a bike down in wheel chocks

Post by bufftester »

I made some braces kind of like the ones you saw on ebay out of a piece of 2x4 and some plywood. Then I just cinched down and it never moves.
Cha Ching
Member
Posts: 122
Joined: 10:16 pm Dec 23 2011
Country:

question about strapping a bike down in wheel chocks

Post by Cha Ching »

I have a 4x4 cut to about 12", or so. I put it between the front wheel and fender, then compress the tire just a bit, with the tie-downs. Cheapest brace ever... :mrgreen:
User avatar
diymirage
Supporting Member II
Supporting Member II
Posts: 2909
Joined: 05:00 pm Sep 19 2011
Country:
Location: michigan

Re: question about strapping a bike down in wheel chocks

Post by diymirage »

thanks guys
i think i will give the 4X4 route a try
newbbewb wrote:DIYmirage has it right.


-1996 KDX 200 woods weapon (converted to 99 green body)
-1996 KDX 200 plated street toy (barney edition)
-2003 Yamaha TTR125-L (wifeys bike)
-1997 KDX 220 project bike
Goofaroo
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 531
Joined: 12:42 pm Sep 09 2012
Country:
Location: Edmond, Oklahoma

Re: question about strapping a bike down in wheel chocks

Post by Goofaroo »

Run a bungie cord between the eyelets of the tie downs . That way if they go slack over a bump the bungie will keep the hooks- hooked.
User avatar
SS109
KDXRider.net
KDXRider.net
Posts: 5770
Joined: 05:11 am Aug 23 2009
Country: USA
Location: Tucson, AZ, USA
Contact:

question about strapping a bike down in wheel chocks

Post by SS109 »

I think on the fork brace you guys are worrying about nothing.
Youtube Channel: WildAzzRacing
AZ State Parks & Trails OHV Ambassador - Trail Riders of Southern AZ
Current KDX: '98 KDX220
Old KDX: '90 KDX200 -White/Blue
'11 GasGas EC250R
jeeptech1
Member
Posts: 131
Joined: 12:49 am Nov 13 2012
Country:
Location: Eugene OR

12question about strapping a bike down in wheel chocks

Post by jeeptech1 »

I have the exact tie downs that rbates is speaking of. Best investment ever. I've almost lost a bike due to hook style straps. If you don't have caribiner style straps get some before its too late. I don't "block" the front forks and have never had an issue and go atleast 120 miles one way at times to go ride.
User avatar
rbates9
Supporting Member II
Supporting Member II
Posts: 3164
Joined: 06:07 pm Apr 27 2010
Country:
Location: UPSTATE New York

question about strapping a bike down in wheel chocks

Post by rbates9 »

SS109 wrote:I think on the fork brace you guys are worrying about nothing.
+1

If some one makes it and some one endorses it they will fly off the shelf. whether you need it or not. :roll: Any one remember the spark plug sand blasters? They were great, right. Buy a $30 tool to save a $3 part. :lol:

I could see using one of those braces if you were heading cross country and didn't want to have to check on anything but for a regular use item it seems to be a bit of over kill. IMHO.
ditton
Member
Posts: 77
Joined: 02:58 pm Nov 11 2009
Country:

question about strapping a bike down in wheel chocks

Post by ditton »

Hi.
For me, I just use the regular wrachet-type tie-downs. However, I bought them plenty long enough to hook to handle bar, extra wrap of cable around handle-bar and through loop. Same procedure at hooks on trailer. Just a little extra piece of mind to prevent hook from coming loose. I do use front wheel chocks too, just to stop whell turn going down rough roads. Just slightly compress suspension.
Never had a problem, and like everyone else even down rough roads.
Ditton
Post Reply