tie down a clip-on bike in truck bed

[prophet]

does anyone know the best way to tie down a bike with clip-ons in a truck bed? i do not have a Bar-Harness. i just have the cam-buckle tie-downs (not the racheting kind). my bike is a 748. thanks!

[AZ_Scott]

There's no good way to do it with just two tie-downs.

At the very least, get a pir of soft-tie straps and wrap them around the lower triple clamp, then hook your tie-downs to those.

Better yet, get the bar-harness.

Even better still, get a Baxley or Condor chock for the front wheel, in addition to the aforementioned tie-downs.

In all cases, it's advisable to use another pair of tie-downs to secure the rear of the bike...

[lintoncr]

Well, a Bar Harness is the way to go, sacrifice the 30 bones or so, it's worth it!

[Shez748]

Easy. Make a loop in one of the ends of the tie down. That way you don't have to attach the metal hook to your bik. Just loop it around and hook on the loop you made. Few inches in diameter is all you need.

[prophet]

thanks guys. problem is, i have to transport the bike tomorrow, and all bike shops near me are closed mondays. i wish i had thought of the bar harness sooner...but i'm screwed, and have to make do w/o one.

[JeffKoch]

You don't need canyon dancer-type straps with a 748 (you do with some bikes, like the 1098), you can hold it in place with standard tie-downs. I use 6 - two from the front of the bed up to the frame above the air inlets (to compress the forks a bit), two from the front of the bed to the peg hangers (to pull the bike forward), and two from the rear of the bed to the frame below the seat. Tighten the front straps first, lightly, then tighten the straps to the peg hangers real hard after making sure the bike is vertical, then re-tighten the front straps, then tighten the rear straps.

Works fine, I've hauled these bikes around a lot for years and have never had any issues supporting them this way.

[h2o]

I've used this method lately. Works well since you can compress the rear spring w/o to much worry. I've used only two for the rear w/o anything tieing down the front. But that was for short trips over smooth roads.

[JeffKoch]

Originally Posted by h2o

I've used this method lately. Works well since you can compress the rear spring w/o to much worry. I've used only two for the rear w/o anything tieing down the front. But that was for short trips over smooth roads.

You actually back the bike up into the bed of the truck?

[AZ_Scott]

Yikes.

[h2o]

Originally Posted by JeffKoch

You actually back the bike up into the bed of the truck?

Actually, I coast it down the hill aimed for the neighbor kid's launch ramp, then usually pull a frontside 180 heelclicker into the bed.

But honestly it's quite easy, especially if you have a fairly sloped driveway to work with.