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[bad00serg]

I know - just ride it.  Unfortunately I need to trailer my newly acquired SERG across a few states and was wondering if any of you have any tips for securing the bike, as far as where to put the soft ties on the bike - frame at crash bar?  Lower triple clamp?  Rear?  Thanks in advance!

[arcticdude]

Here's how we tie ours down.  Soft-ties around the lower triple clamps, but you have to be especially careful not to really deform the upper fork covers.  We've never been able to not deform them some, but I can always straighten them afterwords.  Also, MAKE SURE your ties are super clean, otherwise you'll scratch the chrome.  For the rear, we attach to the "dog bone" at the rear of the frame/tranny and go essentially straight back to our trailer points.  If your trailer isn't very wide, you can also loop one around the rear tire, running from side to side to really help preventing it from shifting.  Depending on the trailer floor, you may need to do the same for the front tire.  Unless you have a wheel chock, it's very tough to prevent the front wheel from walking to one side or the other.  We trailered her SERG from Columbia, SC to Oklahoma City this way and didn't have any problems.  The crash bar at the frame doesn't give enough leverage to prevent the bike from falling over.  I always sort of tighten the fronts (just enough to hold it upright), then really tighten the rears and then fully tighten the fronts (almost bottoming the suspension).  This way everything is tightening against everything else.  Prevents things from loosening up.  We use "ratchets" for the fronts and "pinchers" for the rears.  Hope this helps.

[HUBBARD]

I know - just ride it.  Unfortunately I need to trailer my newly acquired SERG across a few states and was wondering if any of you have any tips for securing the bike, as far as where to put the soft ties on the bike - frame at crash bar?  Lower triple clamp?  Rear?  Thanks in advance!

Yeah, 'er 'uh, bad00serg,
  Welcome to the Site!  I use the Crash Bar.  No soft ties.  I use the Rachet straps that the MoCo uses.  Any Harley Dealer will give them to you, if you ask.  Eliminates soft-ties.  Two to the side, even with the Crash bar, and Two to the front about 12" ahead of the Crash bar, total of four on the Front-End.  Better safe than sorry.  On the rear, I use one on each side, even with the Front of the rear Crash bar, when I feel the need.  You may have to secure through the rear Wheel, or to the SwingerArm on yours, as it is a SERG.  Rear is not really needed, unless you travel over rough roads.  Basically just keeps the back tire inline with the front.  Definitely needed, if hauling two Bikes side by side, or staggered.  I haul Ol' Maudie solo, so I very seldom strap the rear.  Have traveled from WV to Daytona, many a time, with just the Front-End dogged down.  Rear-End may move an inch, no more.  Always use Rachet-Straps.  Anyother type of Hold-down will fail.  Later--HUBBARD

[SPIDERMAN]

I know - just ride it.

You answered your own question before you asked it dude !  

[Michael]

OK...

1 Always use a wheel chock. No homemade remedies. Bikes are 20k-30K Do not get cheap now!

2 Attach softies around the frame at the crashbar mounting point. Use regular cinch straps to get the bike in place, straight and where you want it.

3 The factory Harley straps mentioned earlier are good and free. Use them to permanently secure the front. I usually go from eyelet to eyelet on the cinch straps, since the Harley tie-downs have no hooks. This method gives you the double protection you really need.

4 The rear dog bone works well for securing the mid/rear section. No need for cinch straps here 1st. Just use the rachets and dont be shy. You wont break anything....Reef on the **itch!

Lastly, too many tie downs doesnt hurt. Skimping does!! And its a painfully expensive lesson.

I have been hauling my scoots for years in enclosed trailers where you cannot see them. I need to know they are secure. I just assume never have the pain of opening the trailer door to a fallen scoot. So...I am extra anal!!!

Then hop in the drivers seat of the PSD and throw it in "D" for "Drag".

[Midnight Rider]

Don't know what kind of trailer you have/are renting, but one of the HD dealers not too far away from me had both open and enclosed trailers for rent...that's how I hauled mine up from 250 miles away when I took delivery.  Both models of trailers had wheel chocks....makes things REALLY easy cause the front's not going anywhere if it's in a good chock, though a couple of good tie downs on the front are extra insurance, plus two on the back, pulling everything towards the front.  The chock will not let the bike fall over.  I've also used the U-Haul motorcycle trailer, and though it doesn't have a chock, it does have a "pocket" on the front of the trailer for the front tire/wheel, which helps.  I used really soft straps, and tied to the crash bars.

[cuthbertss]

Tons of good advice here......  only thing i did in additon with my SEEG when i picked it up was check the tie downs at every fuel stop....and in hind site..i should have ridden the damn thing home...   [smiley=cherry.gif]

[Michael]

I did forget to mention, checking the straps at each fuel stop.

My bad...it was just a give-in to me.

Kinda like goin PeePee at each fuel-up....lol

[Midnight Rider]

Yeah....when I hauled the Duc back from Knoxville on the U-Haul trailer, I checked it at every pee break, which tends to be more often than fuel breaks for me  ...never had to touch the straps after the initial cinching (ratchet type)...just be careful about the tag ends of the straps flapping around.  I picked up my straps at the U-Haul place (more for convenience) and they are made out of this really soft, slick nylon which will not scratch, plus have the vinyl coated hooks...oh yeah, they're camo colored too so you can't see 'em going through the woods.....

I think I would be a lot more nervous about it on a regular flat type trailer without anything for the front wheel to rest in, but I've seen a lot of 'em going down the road that way without any apparent problems.

[bad00serg]

Thanks a lot for all the advice - I have a chock in the trailer, just wasn't sure exactly where to tie down.  Thanks again, Ron

[Twolanerider]

Trailering from where to where?  Maybe someone close with a bit of experience to offer moral or other support.

[CVOwner]

Theres plenty of chocks out there, I just got the Bike Pro, from Ebay. Trailered 1500 miles to Nebraska, had two tie downs on the bars with soft ties. Checked at every stop. no problems. I dont really crank down on the front tie downs, really no need with the bike pro. just cinch em down to make sure it doesnt sway from side to side. You can blow out the front fork seals if you crank em down too tight. Cinch down the back tire to keep it from bouncing from side to side and you are good to go.