Carrying large (long) items on your bike

jaxx · Nova Slayer Joined: 25 Jul 2009 Karma :

Hi all
As the title says really...
As I dont have a car licence, I have to carry everything on my bike. Not normally a problem, I have several rucksacks, soft panniers, etc, and can usually manage everything I need.
As I train in martial arts numerous times each week, I have to go to lessons, with all my gear on the bike. I recently bought a hockey stick bag to transport my sword around Thumbs Up

My latest problem lies with my spear/staff. Is there anyway of transporting something like this on a motorcycle? Is it lawful? They're approximately 7ft long, and no more than a couple of inches in diameter.
I understand how four wheeled vehicles carrying long items need to display a flag on anything overhanging. Does this apply to bikes?

Any advice / information greatly appreciated...
Thanks again Karma

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

This is how I did skis:
https://gees.zenfolio.com/img/v7/p684017855-4.jpg
Seemed to work ok; did it a few times.

Could also consider strapping something inside your leg.

When I was on crutches I made a holder that went diagonally back from the pillion foot rest up to the grab rail - but 7' is going to be a tad too long for that.

brett750 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 10 Dec 2009 Karma :

i saw a bloke on a cbr 600 with a bird table on his bike.

it was diagonal across his back with one end over his left shoulder near his head and the other end down the left hand side of the bike. should be easy enough to do that with a pole

HD · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Dec 2009 Karma :

Excuse the overuse of L-plates, that day I was changing from that front fender to my plain front fender so put a plate on the light unit.

It doesn't look that big compared to some of the stuff you lot carry, but I had to change gear with my heel and was leant full on forward Laughing

Look how small the area of seat I have and where my legs had to go Razz

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Howling TerrorOutOfOffice · Super Spammer Joined: 05 Dec 2008 Karma :

G grinning from ear to ear..... Laughing

OP. Unsure of the hanging over rule on bikes and IIRC it was 1 meter fore and aft for cars and had to be marked.

Shame you can't leave your weapons somewhere close to your dojo thingy.
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teampots · Spanner Monkey Joined: 01 May 2007 Karma :

https://i55.tinypic.com/2dsfub5.jpg

just another for carrying large items on bikes Razz

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waffles · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Oct 2009 Karma :

I think that carrying a 7ft spear on your bike is asking for a tug if you ride past some coppers! I bet that conversation would be awesome...... Thumbs Up

Although I vaguely remember someone on here a while back posting that they moved house with the contents of their room strapped on the back of their bike so bigger bulkiers items can fit. Best bet is something similar to G and his skis. Give yourself lots of room between you and the car infront when you stop at traffic lights or you may accidentally impale them.
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stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

I took a 9ft plum tree on the back of the VFR. I just strapped it on sticking out of the back and made sure I was the fastest thing on the road.

I think the law would preferr you to hang a red and white striped triangle off the end of it and a flashing orange light if it's dark.

Actually, google reveals no markings required for 0-1m overhang. Must be clearly visible for 1-2m and must have marker boards for 2-3m.
https://www2.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/vehicles/vssafety/info-overhangingloads.pdf

I can pretty much garauntee there is no copper who actually knows what rules pertain to motorbikes. Stick a marker board on the end and I bet they wont risk being made to look ignorant by stopping you. Coppers hate being made to look ignorant.
https://www.safety-selector.co.uk/images/SF1%20-%20Vehicle%20Marker%20Boards.jpg
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Serendipity · World Chat Champion Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Karma :

I’ve carried a 7 foot scythe on the bike before. I unbolted the blade and put it in my rucksack. Being 3 foot, it did stick out a lot, but I put it pointy end down. Then I gaffa taped the handle to my rucksack so the shaft sat diagonally across my back. The curves in the handle meant it didn’t stick out much at all. You’ll have a little more overhang with a straight spear, but should still work. Just a bit of an arse ache having to play with gaffa tape everytime. I only had to do it once.

The advantage to carrying a scythe is that if you do crash then Death doesn’t have to bring his own. That’s got to be worth some afterlife points.
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jaxx · Nova Slayer Joined: 25 Jul 2009 Karma :

Thanks for all the replies guys, much to think about there.
I should have said, the bike is a bandit 6, so there is plenty of exposed frame/metal to fix to.

Unfortunately, I train at different venues each night of the week, so I can't get away with leaving my equipment there.
The spear head is removable, and the spear itself has a cloth sleeve, to avoid drawing too much unwanted attention...

If G can manage ski's, and Stinkwheel can manage a tree, I'm gonna give it a go. Will likely try G's method 1st, but anymore ideas / plan B's gratefully accepted.

Many thanks again guys

Ps. Will sort karma out later, on my phone atm...

Macie_UK · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 08 Apr 2010 Karma :

Well, I once got nicked for carrying a long boxed radio antenna (about the same length as those skis) on a bike - IIRC the offence was 'carrying an unsafe load' or somesuch. Probably more to do with how and where it was bungee'd to the bike - couldn't operate the the rear brake or turn the wheel luch to the right

- than the overall length.
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Acemastr · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Oct 2008 Karma :

I carry my cock around with me all the time....
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P. · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

jaxx · Nova Slayer Joined: 25 Jul 2009 Karma :

Once again, thanks for the replies.
I've given it a bit of thought, and I'm going to try and clamp/fix a piece of 2" plastic pipe to the engine bars. It should run at a slightly steeper angle than G's skis appear to.
Once the spear is in place, it should start where the downpipes begin to bend along the bottom of the bike, and finish, (hopefully), about a foot above and beyond the rear light. Its quite a nice line, and done properly, it shouldnt look too out of place/bodged...

My only concern now, is that I'm going to need a secondary bracket, near the rear indicator, to support the weight. Thats going to be a whole new adventure.
Plastic pipe will be here late on tonight, I should know if its going to work by tomorrow.
Thanks for all the help Karma

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Other option is to carry it vertically.

A bit of drainpipe with one end blanked off attached somewhere behind the rider makes a good rack. That's how I used to carry my fishing rods. Just watch out for low bridges and tree branches.
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jaxx · Nova Slayer Joined: 25 Jul 2009 Karma :

So, This is what I've ended up with...

Radis · Trackday Trickster Joined: 11 Aug 2011 Karma :

That looks like a neat solution. Would remove/cover up the tip though

jaxx · Nova Slayer Joined: 25 Jul 2009 Karma :

Acemastr · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Oct 2008 Karma :

mate... there's a fucking spear stuck to the side of your bike!
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HD · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Dec 2009 Karma :

Does your leg go in or outside?

Good job! Thumbs Up

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jaxx · Nova Slayer Joined: 25 Jul 2009 Karma :

kramdra · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Oct 2010 Karma :

Couldnt you get a new/convert it into a 2 part spear?
Ie... chop it in half, drill a hole for a metal threaded bushing on one and a stud on the other peice, so it can be screwed together. considering its 2" diameter it would be strong enough..

I would be interested on any methods of carrying a full size electric guitar tho. Ive got a good gig bag for it. Im thinking it would be best to detune the strings. But any crash it would be smashed and probably break ones spine.