749 in a Transit!
 

Im taking the 749 to JHP on Tuesday in a rented Transit. I'll be taking the fairing and mirrors off (just in case), and Ive got 3 ratchet straps.

What are the best points on the bike to tie the bike down? I was thinking of putting a mattress against the side of the van, and somehow tying the bike to the side so it leans against the mattress...is this a good idea?

As you might be able to tell, its the first time Im taking the bike anywhere in a van, havent worked out how Im actually gonna get it in there in the first place! :lol:

If you put the front wheel right up as far forward as it can go against the back of the seats, and turn the steering to the left. Have the bike on its sidestand.
Strap around the frame sort of in your inner thigh area as you sit on it down to the floor. Works for me.

Are there tie down points in your transit?

I use a transit Khu. Your best bet is to put the bike on its rear paddock stand in the center of the van. Push the front wheel right upto the seats and the n put a zip tie around the brake lever. Put the rachet straps, I only use two. One each side around the frame where the foor pegs are mounted. Make sure you rachet the bike so that the suspension travel is taken up. Otherwise when you hit a bump, the bike could bounce out of the straps.

There should be 6 strap points on the new 01 tranny onwards.
The old tranny I use to use the panel braces.
[Edited on 4-2-2005 by Jon]

[Edited on 4-2-2005 by Jon]

Thanks for the advice lads. Is my mattress idea crap then? :D

Im so nervous about taking it up on my own, if it were to fall down in the back of the van, Id probably crash!

khu996 is it a bit late to lay you hands on a set of these

http://www.motrax.co.uk/Index_pages/...dbarstarps.htm

They look pretty good, but since Ive already got a few normal ratchet straps, seems a waste to shell out on some more, albeit fancier, ones. ;)

You can just buy the bar strap it self if you already have the ratchet strap, costs around a tenner

http://www.motrax.co.uk/Index_pages/.../barstraps.htm

My tip is about loading the bike. Make sure that the ramp is secure, you do not want it falling off when the bike is halfway up. I have seen this happen a couple of times.

Got some of them Bar straps if you need them ;)

Straps and Pillows and a Quilt and your sorted, i transported a 749 from Ireland this way. Not a scratch.

/ian

Weelan, did you use the method suggested above? If not...how did you do it with 'Pillows and a Quilt'? :o

Stop messing with pillows and a quilt......just buy the bloody straps ! job done.:frog:

Khu never go abroad on the ferry.:P

Thanks for the offer Dave, I'll see if I can manage with the straps I've got this time, will have to get a set of those bar straps!

Sorry if this thread is getting repetitive and boring, its just I'm paranoid about not fixing it properly and the bike collapsing on the way up, so...strapped down on the sidestand or rear paddock stand? Will the two straps do?

Khu don't put it on the side stand. Bad Idea.