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  • #1

    trailer travel advice

    hey all! so im trailering my 81SH from Chicago to Georgia next week. i recently had my fuel tank painted, so im planning on removing it so it doesnt get chipped, dented etc which brings up my need for advice. having all the electrics under the tank exposed to the elements, i was thinking may be i could wrap the exposed area tightly with mattress plastic i happened to have and taping it off with duct tape. this is a first for the Black Beast and i want everything to survive. SOS SOS SOS
    Max

    81 XS1100SH Black Beast Mutt
    Kerker 4/1
    stock carbs and air box.
    78 headlite, handle bars,
    1 set of ea-160/85mph guages,
    crash bars, cruise control

    Other 2 Wheelers
    78 XS1100E jet kit, Kerker 4/1, air pods, jet kit-RIP
    94 CBR1000F jet kit,Two Bros pipe, K&N Filter
    Tags: None
  • #2
    You mean an open trailer? Towed by a car or whatever? Can't you just cover the bike?
    XS1100F 1980 European model. Standard. Dyna coils. Iridium plugs. XS750 final drive (sometimes). Micron fork brace. Progressive front springs. Geezer regulator/rectifier. Stainless 4 into 2 exhaust. Auto CCT (Venturer 1300) SOLD. New project now on the go. 1980 European model.

    Comment

    • #3
      _

      hey james. yes it is an open trailer (hav'nt seen it yet). i have a cover but im thinking the ratchet straps and soft loops will be in the way. im depending on a friend who is also taking his '69 BSA and pulling it with an older Jeep Cherokee. hes just strapping his on and rollin with it from what he told me. ill be looking at the trailer when he gets it this week but somehow b4 3am Sat i need to have a few ideas of how i will secure my XS with some comfort.
      Max

      81 XS1100SH Black Beast Mutt
      Kerker 4/1
      stock carbs and air box.
      78 headlite, handle bars,
      1 set of ea-160/85mph guages,
      crash bars, cruise control

      Other 2 Wheelers
      78 XS1100E jet kit, Kerker 4/1, air pods, jet kit-RIP
      94 CBR1000F jet kit,Two Bros pipe, K&N Filter

      Comment

      • #4
        All it takes is two or three ratchet straps. Well, it did for me. You put the bike in gear and tie the two cradle tubes to the trailer front. Take the side panels off the bike and use the diagonal frame tubes each side to loop ratchet straps onto. You want it so the straps are pulling in opposite directions (ie left and right as you look at the bike on the trailer from the back). That's it.

        That's with the bike on the centre stand.

        I did the above with my bike in a van, ratchet strapped to loops on the floor. Basically, a trailer with sides! The bike didn't move a bit.

        You could also ratchet strap the frame tubes that the seat rests on.... remove the seat and strap it from either side.
        XS1100F 1980 European model. Standard. Dyna coils. Iridium plugs. XS750 final drive (sometimes). Micron fork brace. Progressive front springs. Geezer regulator/rectifier. Stainless 4 into 2 exhaust. Auto CCT (Venturer 1300) SOLD. New project now on the go. 1980 European model.

        Comment

        • #5
          +

          what r the cradle tubes?
          Max

          81 XS1100SH Black Beast Mutt
          Kerker 4/1
          stock carbs and air box.
          78 headlite, handle bars,
          1 set of ea-160/85mph guages,
          crash bars, cruise control

          Other 2 Wheelers
          78 XS1100E jet kit, Kerker 4/1, air pods, jet kit-RIP
          94 CBR1000F jet kit,Two Bros pipe, K&N Filter

          Comment

          • #6
            The two tubes that run down the front of the bike, one to the left and one to the right, with the exhaust headers slotting between them. It's called a duplex cradle frame on the XS1100.




            Last edited by James England; 07-01-2012, 06:41 PM.
            XS1100F 1980 European model. Standard. Dyna coils. Iridium plugs. XS750 final drive (sometimes). Micron fork brace. Progressive front springs. Geezer regulator/rectifier. Stainless 4 into 2 exhaust. Auto CCT (Venturer 1300) SOLD. New project now on the go. 1980 European model.

            Comment

            • #7
              +

              ok, i see. a pix speaks a thousand words. so should i strap the cradle and route the straps outside of the forks to keep the front wheel from turning or should i key lock the front end with the wheel at its lock stop angle and route the straps thru the steering lock wheel position. and then theres the exposed electrics under the removed tank. the cover will be great if it works, but not sure as of yet.
              Max

              81 XS1100SH Black Beast Mutt
              Kerker 4/1
              stock carbs and air box.
              78 headlite, handle bars,
              1 set of ea-160/85mph guages,
              crash bars, cruise control

              Other 2 Wheelers
              78 XS1100E jet kit, Kerker 4/1, air pods, jet kit-RIP
              94 CBR1000F jet kit,Two Bros pipe, K&N Filter

              Comment

              • #8
                Putting a cover over the bike seems like a good idea, except for the fact that the wind beating the cover and having it flap against the tank paint for countless miles will damage it right quick. JMHO
                2H7 (79) owned since '89
                3H3 owned since '06

                "If it ain't broke, modify it"

                ☮

                Comment

                • #9
                  =

                  ill be removing the tank for sure either way. i think i need to do a trial strap down so i can figure out whats best. this is a first for me with a 550lb bike with new paint and im f'n paranoid
                  Max

                  81 XS1100SH Black Beast Mutt
                  Kerker 4/1
                  stock carbs and air box.
                  78 headlite, handle bars,
                  1 set of ea-160/85mph guages,
                  crash bars, cruise control

                  Other 2 Wheelers
                  78 XS1100E jet kit, Kerker 4/1, air pods, jet kit-RIP
                  94 CBR1000F jet kit,Two Bros pipe, K&N Filter

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    If the tank's coming off, you can use straps on the top two frame tubes...one either side of the bike with rubber blocks on them that the tank sits on.

                    Although it's 550lbs, it'll be on the centre stand, in gear, front wheel right up to the front of the trailer and ratchet strapped by the cradle tubes. One strap on each of the top two frame tubes will do the job. The bike is trying to sway and it's not doing that with 550lbs of force. Most of the weight is sitting on the stand and the front wheel. The straps just stop the bike from moving forward/backward and from swaying side to side.

                    I thought the same way as you until I saw how simple it is. Yep, heavy bike but, when you sit on it with your legs on the ground and lean it from side to side, from one leg to the other, it's not 550lbs otherwise your legs would collapse. All your straps will do is what your legs do when you sit on it ie keep the bike upright, with the weight on the wheels/centre stand. Ok, therre's the added dimension of the trailer moving and bouncing a bit but, again, if you stop the bike from swaying, it will just bounce up and down with the trailer. And, let's face it, you're not going to be racing with a trailer + bike attached anyway.

                    I was totally paranoid about my bike in the van and it became clear very quickly that the bike was perfectly safe. Obviously, you need best quality, broad ratchet straps.
                    Last edited by James England; 07-01-2012, 07:58 PM.
                    XS1100F 1980 European model. Standard. Dyna coils. Iridium plugs. XS750 final drive (sometimes). Micron fork brace. Progressive front springs. Geezer regulator/rectifier. Stainless 4 into 2 exhaust. Auto CCT (Venturer 1300) SOLD. New project now on the go. 1980 European model.

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Just tie it down like we do with our dirt bikes.....nothin' complicated if it's a naked bike(no fairing).. Just don't use cheap tie downs from wally-world as they will 'slip'. Throw the rubber hooked end on the lower portion of bar near base on each side and just DON'T compress the forks all the way. With these somewhat heavy bikes, put a tie-down or ratchet strap on each side of frame down near the swing-arm to keep rear of bike from dancing to one side.......painless. As for getting wet........guess that means you never ride it if you think your gonna get caught in the rain......otherwise, won't hurt a thing......just sayin'........
                      81H Venturer1100 "The Bentley" (on steroids) 97 Yamaha YZ250(age reducer) 92 Honda ST1100 "Twisty"(touring rocket) Age is relative to the number of seconds counted 'airing' out an 85ft. table-top.

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        +

                        thanx James- MM. thats very helpful. ive put dirt bikes on bumber racks, but never any on a trailer. ive got 4 ratchet straps, 2 frt cradle and 2 side. is it better to keep the side straps low on the frame or higher.
                        Max

                        81 XS1100SH Black Beast Mutt
                        Kerker 4/1
                        stock carbs and air box.
                        78 headlite, handle bars,
                        1 set of ea-160/85mph guages,
                        crash bars, cruise control

                        Other 2 Wheelers
                        78 XS1100E jet kit, Kerker 4/1, air pods, jet kit-RIP
                        94 CBR1000F jet kit,Two Bros pipe, K&N Filter

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          My SG rode a trailer 2000 miles with two straps on the forks, pulling front at 45 angle, and two straps at an angle rear off the grab rail. The forks were about 3/4 compressed. Bike in gear, neither stand down. No cover, but fairing and tank in place. It never budged till we unloaded it.
                          1980 XS 11 Special: The King of Kong, 9th wonder of the world. Pacifico fairing, chopped shield, Yamaha hard bags, Diamond seat, T-Kat fork brace, XJ top end, YICS Eliminator, '80 carbs from Spyder Cycle Works, K&N Air filter, Fuse block, stainless steel valves & reg/rect from Oregon MC Parts. Raptor CCT, XJ air shocks, 850 FD, Sportster mufflers, Standard handle bar, Tusk Bar Risers, SS braided brake lines. Cat Eye speedometer. HID projector beam headlight, LED running lights.

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            No stand

                            James might have had good luck, but I personally NEVER transport a bike on a trailer on any stand. Too much chance of the pounding damaging the stand attachment points. They were designed for static display, not 600 lbs bouncing on them over every big bump.

                            I try to compress the front suspension to minimize bouncing and do the opposite rear tie down as suggested.

                            John
                            John is in an anonymous city with an Alamo (N29.519227,W-98.678980)

                            Go ahead, click on the bikes - you know you want to...the electrons are ready.
                            '81 XS1100H - "Enterprise"
                            Bob Jones Custom Navy bike: Tkat brace, EBC floating rotors & SS lines, ROX pivot risers, Geezer rectifier, new 3H3 engine

                            "Not all treasure is silver and gold"

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Originally posted by mjpxs11sh View Post
                              thanx James- MM. thats very helpful. ive put dirt bikes on bumber racks, but never any on a trailer. ive got 4 ratchet straps, 2 frt cradle and 2 side. is it better to keep the side straps low on the frame or higher.
                              As high as possible...
                              XS1100F 1980 European model. Standard. Dyna coils. Iridium plugs. XS750 final drive (sometimes). Micron fork brace. Progressive front springs. Geezer regulator/rectifier. Stainless 4 into 2 exhaust. Auto CCT (Venturer 1300) SOLD. New project now on the go. 1980 European model.

                              Comment

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