Towing the FEEJ

[iCruze]

OK so I live up here in Alaska and am being moved by the military in January and wanted to know if there is anything I should do the bike before I tow it outta here on a trailer in -40(f) or colder? I plan on draining all fluids and than strapping it down and than putting a cover on it. Is there anything else I should do and should I even bother draining fluids? I will be putting it on a Thule motorcycle trailer or a flatbed trailer in a a crate, it all depends on the trailers available up here when I move.

 

[krashdragon]

OK so I live up here in Alaska and am being moved by the military in January and wanted to know if there is anything I should do the bike before I tow it outta here on a trailer in -40(f) or colder? I plan on draining all fluids and than strapping it down and than putting a cover on it. Is there anything else I should do and should I even bother draining fluids? I will be putting it on a Thule motorcycle trailer or a flatbed trailer in a a crate, it all depends on the trailers available up here when I move.

Just my .00002 worth. Oh, there's been a bunch of threads about towing here... you can try a search.

If the bike is ok to be outside, then I don't know why you'd need to drain any fluids.

Leave the cover off, all that will do is blow around and scratch the paint.

If you really worried about stuff hitting it from the towing tires, maybe a piece of ply or something attached to the front of the trailer would help.

as far as the actual towing... get a couple of soft ties (they wide ones from Harley are good, you can attach them on the forks at the lower triple tree, and use tie downs that rachet. I use a set of 4 that are for car use. Crank that front end down and FORWARD.

Two additional straps on the rear (also GENTLY pulling forward), keeps the rear from hopping. Info straight from Pingle.

https://www.motorcycleramps.com/hd_motorcycle_straps.htm

Like that one - auto parts store ones are pbly cheaper.

I also use one of these... but have moved bikes without it.

https://www.cbxmanmotorcycles.com/Pingel-Wc...hock-3-1-2.aspx

good luck, I haven't made it to Alaska...yet! <BG> but I did trailer my FJR 1200 miles. When I still had it... (

Mary

 

[BikerGeek99]

What's your relocation destination?

What I was thinking is that perhaps you could ride it down now while the weather is cooperating and stash it in someone's garage, then fly back to Alaska. Once you are relocated you could retrieve it.

I can make some space in my garage here in central Ohio...

 

[dsmack]

What's your relocation destination?
What I was thinking is that perhaps you could ride it down now while the weather is cooperating and stash it in someone's garage, then fly back to Alaska. Once you are relocated you could retrieve it.

I can make some space in my garage here in central Ohio...

Ditto for available space here in Spokane if your destination happens to be Fairchild AFB.

Let us know!

Don

 

[Bungie]

Do NOT cover the bike, you'll be shopping for a windshield and most likely paint after.

-40 - I'm thinking you should at least drain the coolant. The last thing you want is it freezing and cracking something expensive. I don't believe bikes have freeze plugs (that usually crack the block on cars anyway).

As for securing, you've got some good advice so far.

 

[dcarver]

-40F, good gawd man. Move south immediately!

 

[iCruze]

What's your relocation destination?
What I was thinking is that perhaps you could ride it down now while the weather is cooperating and stash it in someone's garage, then fly back to Alaska. Once you are relocated you could retrieve it.

I can make some space in my garage here in central Ohio...

Not sure yet where I am headed I will not know until the last week of August, by that time there will be snow on the ALCAN. However if I can time off work that ride to Ohio in early august is tempting.

QUOTE (BikerGeek99 @ Jul 27 2009, 05:43 AM) *

What's your relocation destination?

What I was thinking is that perhaps you could ride it down now while the weather is cooperating and stash it in someone's garage, then fly back to Alaska. Once you are relocated you could retrieve it.

I can make some space in my garage here in central Ohio...

Not sure yet where I am headed I will not know until the last week of August, by that time there will be snow on the ALCAN. However if I can time off work that ride to Ohio in early august is tempting.

 

[BikerGeek99]

Not sure yet where I am headed I will not know until the last week of August, by that time there will be snow on the ALCAN. However if I can time off work that ride to Ohio in early august is tempting.

Cool!

 

[dcarver]

Not sure yet where I am headed I will not know until the last week of August, by that time there will be snow on the ALCAN.

Really? Damn, things sure are different where you live.. I'm in a brown-out until Feb.

 

[Cdogman]

I got space to stash it in Utah as well.. I will TRY!!! not to ride it J/K

Anything for a service member and a brother biker.. I got room

 

[Beamer Reamer]

Quite a bit of shipping takes place between Alaska and Seattle, perhaps that is an option as well. I have sold and shipped two boats to Anchorage and I am pretty sure it is cheaper coming this way. Especially a bike. Regardless of what you choose, I have space available in the Seattle area. No worries about me sneaking a ride, it looks like yours has one of those old fashioned clutch things. If you think I can help in anyway, send me a PM.

 

[iCruze]

I will definitely keep that offer in mind, can you ride bikes in Seattle that time of the year?

 

[Beamer Reamer]

Yup. We get about an inch of snow of year, though it is usually spread out over three different episodes 1/3" deep each. We are then paralyzed for a couple of work days :huh: and then back to normal. Just need rain gear 9 of those months.