Transporting a bike

[beefcake]

Hi

Has anyone got any tips for transporting a bike in the back of a van? I haven't got a trailer, and I don't have a tow bar, so thats not possible for me. Its my brothers works van, so I can't drill any holes to install a bike chock (which will also cost about £90 to buy). He's transported one or two bikes in the past (Doncaster to London), and has alway used ratchet straps to hold the bike upright. The bike I'll be transporting doesn't have a centre stand, and I was wondering whether using the ratchet straps to compress the suspension to stop it bouncing loose, will cause any damage to the bike, or be insufficient by themselves.

Thanks
____________________
Gotta get my knee down...

[Bendy]

Ratchet straps will be fine. I've left bikes on trailers overnight with the suspension compressed and it doesn't seem to do any harm.

[beefcake]

Cheers Bendy.
____________________
Gotta get my knee down...

[emszxr]

hi, used to transport bikes all the time. i would put it to the left hand side of the van with the front wheel right up to the bulk head or the back of the seat, pull the back end of the bike in as close to the side of the van as possible. leave her in gear and with the side stand down. use lots of blankets especially where you use the straps on the bike. take one strap from right hand side foot rest and go under neath the bike and tie tight to side of van, then with strap 2 from rhs foot rest, go over the seat and tie to van. also tie the brake lever. tou can put another couple of ties on bike if you want from the front of bike to van and from back of bike to van.

hope this helps, just use lots of blankets or foam on bits that might rub on straps or van

[Korn]

I stick the bike on a paddock stand then clip ratchet straps from the subframe down to the floor, and tie off the front brake lever. Seems a lot safer than a side stand so if you've got a paddock stand worth trying. Like this picture
____________________
3516 Miles, 11 Countries

[G]

I just use the ratchet straps to hold the bike up.

I just use two straps pulling the bike forward and down into the bulk head.

If it's a bike I care less about I'll use one and strap it over onto the shelves that are in my van (ie laura's stolen sr).

[beefcake]

Cheers for the tips guys . Think I'll be getting a paddock stand this weekend. Not sure about the locatio of the anchor points in the back of the van (until I get the bike positioned in there). Will have to see which method works best at the time of collection.

Deano
____________________
Gotta get my knee down...

[epz]

last time we were in a van moving a bike we just had 2 guys in the back one on the bike holding the brakes and the other to keep him company

[biker-bev]

if there is anywhere on the side of the van tie the bike to that. Also tie down the brake lever and the bike is going no where!
____________________
Proud owner of a Motorhispania RX50
https://www.bikepics.com/members/bikerbev/