| Author | Message | ||
     01lightning |
I usually load my bike into the van the night before a track day. I loaded my bike sunday night to goto Summit Point WV for race school on Monday. I drove up, set up the store but mother nature had other ideas.Trackday, race and raceschool canned due to rain. I didnt even get the bike out of the van. So its been strapped down(front suspension loaded halfway at least) since Sunday and its now Tuesday, raining and no one is here to help unload. I'm debating whether or not to just try to unload it myself...dont wanna screw up the suspension but dont wanna drop it either | ||
| Ratsmc |
The springs should be fine. It takes a long time before you affect them despite what someone here is going to tell you. Everyone believes that the springs are fragile in some way but I that is all based on "I know a guy who..." sort of evidence. So, don't worry, it will be fine. | ||
| No_rice |
you know you can always loosen the straps so they are just snug enough to hold the bike there(assuming you arent driving the van around) | ||
| 01lightning |
No rice...i hear ya but dude you know what'll happen...i'll loosen the straps, forget about it and go somewhere in the van-my other truck is not here so yea the van is my transportation right now. Ratsmc I was more concerned with the seals but maybe I'm just thinkin too much. thanks for responding | ||
| Usanigel |
You don't have gas or air involved and your not beyond the elastic limit of the springs, so should not matter or cause a problem. Once released, I suggest "pumping" the forks just to get the oil back to where it normally lives ready to ride. | ||
| 1_mike |
Don't worry, springs fatigue from cycles, not sitting...in either fully extended or fully collapsed. Heat is the killer of springs, and other than a torch, heat is built up from cycling movement. As a spring goes thru it's motion, it heats up internally (although external heat is just as bad). Leave it tide down tight enough so the bike does not bounce. Mike | ||
| Littlebutquick |
when i strap mine down i remove the front fender and i wedge a piece of wood on top of tyre to bottom of yokes so when you strap it down you don't compress the forks as i have had a seal leak from strapping it down normally  | ||
| Rt_performance |
Sprigs where from repetitive compression and expansion.(just like the myth a loaded pistol magazine will ruin a spring.) Being strapped in one spot does not do any wear. | ||
| Ratsmc |
01lightening, don't worry about the seals. It is really hard to blow a seal and that will happen when you first strap it down and you'd have to tighten the hell out of it to do anything. Honestly, I haven't heard of anyone blowing a seal from strapping a bike down in like 20 years. | ||
| 01lightning |
ok thanks guys...i like lbq's wood idea I think I'll do that. I did ask our suspension guy and he had concerns about the seals as well since thats not what they're designed for. thanks | ||
| Ratsmc |
I'd be curious as to why the suspension guy would be concerned about the seals. The forks work by controlling the rate of flow of oil from one side of the fork to the other. Once the oil has moved through the valve to the opposite side, there isn't any pressure in the system except the mechanical pressure on the springs. Of course, I am not a suspension tech so there may be considerations I'm not aware of. | ||
| Bueller4ever |
I don't understand the concern. The strap tension simulates a riders weight and the suspension works as it would on the street. So unless you compress it to far, why would you run any more risk blowing a seal, than you would while riding? | ||
| Dman |
I've been riding since I was 8, let's just say it's been a while, and haul my dirt bikes & SuMo all the time. Forever I've "known" that you don't tie it down for long periods, only for the haul, or get fork-savers, which is a brace between the tire & triple to prevent the fork from being compressed when tied down - more of a dirtbike thing. I've carried this habit, right or wrong, over to street bikes when I started on sportbikes in '87 (yea, I'm an old fart). I've never really debated it, just always have tied any bike to loose degree if loading the night before, & then cinching it up for the actual drive. But I'm really anal about the bikes, I'd never drive off without yanking on the handlebars of all the bikes so I'd never forget to cinch it up. I also use 4 straps per bike, I did mention I'm anal about it, I had a strap fail once on the highway, extra strap caught bike & saved a nasty tip over in the truck bed. I did see a guy lose a bike off his truck like 20 yrs ago, made me want to laugh & cry at the same time. It fell off & was being dragged by a strap with sparks flying until he could pull over, still makes me cringe (and laugh), it was a surreal sight. | ||
| Blake |
The concern is due to internal air pressure, a vital part of front suspension. Fork compression reduces the volume for the air that is sealed within the forks, thus creating increased pressure. It's why setting the level of oil is so crucial to proper front suspension performance. The air acts just like another spring. Loosen the straps some and put a note on the steering wheel to remind yourself of the loosened straps.  | ||
| Blake |
Did ya hear about the Eskimo who brought his snow machine in for service? The mechanic took a look at the sputtering sled and commented "looks like you've blown a seal", to which the Eskimo inquired sheepishly "how can you tell" as he frantically wiped at his mustache and chin. Sorry. I'm bad. Sorry. I try to be good. | ||
| D_adams |
That's just WRONG on sooo many levels. | ||
| Aeholton |
Sorry. I'm bad. Sorry. I try to be good. Along the same line: | ||
| 01lightning |
thanks everyone. I unloaded the bike yesterday. wow thats interesting about the strap failure...never thought of that. blowin seals eh? I cant even get one to talk to me  | ||
| Bueller4ever |
Couldn't you just crank up the preload to max? This would allow you to put more tension on the straps without compressing the forks much, just like a heavy rider sitting on the bike. The suspension is always compressed, unless you hang it from the ceiling when not in use. | ||
| Dman |
You could always flip the bike upside down, leaving the forks unloaded with the wheels in the air, and putting the tension on the seat & handlebars. (we seemed to be getting punchy, so figured I'd chime in) |
