pimped out pickup addiction - nklr

[johnsilv@enoreo.on.ca]

I recently purchased a Ford F-150 (super cab, regular bed)and I have been thinking about how to load the KLR onto the bed in case of emergency. I am new to pick-up truckin' so I don't know anything about after market products or best practices. A lot of listers seem to regularly truck their bikes around so I'm hoping someone can tell me the best way to get the KLR on and off the truck. John in T.O. A11

[J. Gregory]

----- Original Message ----- From: To: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Monday, August 27, 2001 7:36 AM Subject: [DSN_klr650] Pick-up truck & KLR > I recently purchased a Ford F-150 (super cab, regular bed)and I have > been thinking about how to load the KLR onto the bed in case of > emergency. I am new to pick-up truckin' so I don't know anything > about after market products or best practices. A lot of listers seem > to regularly truck their bikes around so I'm hoping someone can tell > me the best way to get the KLR on and off the truck. > > John in T.O. A11 > I truck mine regularly and the best is a ramp preferbaly one wide enough to walk beside your bike as you are loading it found mine at my dealer friend bought one from sears. load one bike in the center of bed tie to handel bars with good nylon straps one on each side tighten down until forks are comperssed keeping bike level. This is all you have to do. however i found that in emergency manuvers it is better to also have two straps on the back . Another thing i like to do is build a front wheel chock by making two squares with 2x4's standing on edge one for each side of tire fastened together with a full lenght 2x4 in the front . with gap between squares just wide enough for tire . this works very well with trucks with bed liners as some liners are slick and can let front slide out to side resulting in bent tank or truck bed. The whole assembly should be as wide as truck bed. if you want to haul two bikes just make three squares . I usually make the board beside the tire three or for inches longer and bevel the end . the squares should be a large as possible. This also make for a good place to put items in the squares like fuel cans. ice chest.etc . with the addition of a few eyelets and a bunge net it is very handy especially if you cannot close the tailgate with the bike on board. This also works on trailers . recently took 3500 mile trip with four bikes on trailer with two sets of squares had no problems and with a four tyes on each bike never even had retighten because of movement . if I failed to make my self clear feel free to contact me off list .or phone at 501-258-6499 Jim Gregory jnjtrucking@... Camden arkansas > Checkout Dual Sport News at > http://www.dualsportnews.com > Be part of the Adventure! > > Visit the KLR650 archives at > http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 > > Post message: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com > Subscribe: DSN_klr650-subscribe@yahoogroups.com > Unsubscribe: DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com > List owner: DSN_klr650-owner@yahoogroups.com > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > > >

[Arden Kysely]

Get a ramp or two, the longer the better to decrease the slope, especially if your truck sits up high. I park my T100 at the end of my driveway to take advantage of the elevation difference between the street and curb. Then just push the bike up the ramp. Use the front brake to control things. I used to ride them in, when bikes were smaller and I was younger. Two ramps let you walk on one while the bike goes up the other, and prevents having to take that giant step up to the tailgate. If you're new at this, get some help the first few times. Getting the bike out is just the reverse, only you need to use the front brake more and make sure the bike tracks straight going down the ramp. It will tend to turn because it is leaned over a little. You may also need to have someone keep the ramp from separating from the truck. Arden Kysely A11 "Mr. K"

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., johnsilv@e... wrote: > I recently purchased a Ford F-150 (super cab, regular bed)and I have > been thinking about how to load the KLR onto the bed in case of > emergency. I am new to pick-up truckin' so I don't know anything > about after market products or best practices. A lot of listers seem > to regularly truck their bikes around so I'm hoping someone can tell > me the best way to get the KLR on and off the truck. > > John in T.O. A11

[West]

To add to the other great info the other listers provided, I have a chunk of 2X4 about 4"-5" long that I put between the top of the front tire and the fender. When I cinch the tie downs, it compresses on the tire and fender instead of smashing your fork springs... which is probably easier on the fork seals also. West [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[guymanbro@excite.com]

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., johnsilv@e... wrote:

> I recently purchased a Ford F-150 (super cab, regular bed)and I

have been thinking about how to load the KLR onto the bed in case of

> emergency.

John, for the ramps, if you want to go the cheaper route (as opposed to buying pre-fab m/c specific ramps) go to Home Depot or the like and look in the lawnmower section for ramp caps that you just bolt to 2 X 12s (or 2 X 10s if you prefer). I think the caps I got were less than $20 and then the cost of the lumber. I use 2 because a) I have 2 bikes to load sometimes and b) If I'm only loading one bike I can put the 2 ramps together to ride up! The ramp caps I got came with drop in pins to keep the ramp from sliding off the truck bed. I drilled into the bed so I can put the ramps side by side for a wider platform or lined up perfectly to load 2 bikes side by side. dat brooklyn bum

[Dan Oaks]

> > ----- Original Message ----- > From: > To: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com> > Sent: Monday, August 27, 2001 7:36 AM > Subject: [DSN_klr650] Pick-up truck & KLR > > >> I recently purchased a Ford F-150 (super cab, regular bed)and I have >> been thinking about how to load the KLR onto the bed in case of >> emergency. I am new to pick-up truckin' so I don't know anything >> about after market products or best practices. A lot of listers seem >> to regularly truck their bikes around so I'm hoping someone can tell >> me the best way to get the KLR on and off the truck. >> >> John in T.O. A11 >>

Just a few observations on trucking your bike. Compressing your forks, applying pressure of the front wheel directly to the front of the truck bed will shortly cause the bed to bow forward. I have installed a piece of 1-1/2" steel tubing across the front of the bedd to run the front tire up against. Do not count on those compression lugs that fit into the square holes in your bed to hold. Best run eye bolts down through the bottom of the holes and anchor from below with flat washers and stop nuts. I have found that on an average trip the back wheels will bounce around enough that you will have to re-center them after about a thousand miles. This doesn't sound like much, but it is an indication that there may be a real problem if you were involved in a fender bender. It's best to strap the back in lightly so they don't shift. Do not use power to run the bike up the ramp. It will kick the ramp out from under you just after the front wheel is in the truck bed. Don't ask how I know this. Try to park somewhere where you have a height advantage when loading or unloading. Even a six inch curb will afford a lot of help. Buy a Rubbermaid storage tub to put your stuff in and strap it between the bikes. Loading and unloading a bike on a ramp is a two or three man job unless you can park somewhere that allows the ramp to be nearly level. If a bike starts to go over on a ramp, jump back and let it. You can repair the bike, you can't repair your back. Enjoy your bike and truck. They're the best combination to afford you some real riding adventures, and get you back home. -- Dan (BIERDO) Oaks, President Formtech Services, Inc. the stable: '01 XT225 - ('01 KLR650 sold) - '99 DR650 '82 XL250R - '78 TC90 - '77 GS550 '91 Yammy 4 stroke golf cart 2 bad dogs and a sled Wanted: TLR200 and/or something new in the 250cc range) Mfr. of Printing Equipment & Supplies formtech@... bierdo@... http://www.formtechservices.com Mfr. of 4x4 POLY Motorcycle Parts bierdo@... http://www.dirtly.com 2970 Robins Nest Ct. Saint Cloud, FL 34772-8182 USA 800 522-6257 407 957-7887 (fax)

[Peter Dahlheimer, MD]

what everyone else said, and don't forget to tighten down the straps some after a rain. they loosen up. _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @... address at http://mail.yahoo.com

[TLrydr@aol.com]

In a message dated 8/28/01 2:50:18 AM EST, dahlheim@... writes: << what everyone else said, and don't forget to tighten down the straps some after a rain. they loosen up >> And dont forget to order a new set of fork springs, The ones compressed for 4 to 8 hours are shot, Unless you used a anti compressed think on the wheel. Mike

[Arden Kysely]

Good point about checking the straps, but don't wait till it rains. They will stretch and loosen in any weather. Check 'em at every stop. I also tie up the loose strap ends. That way they can't slip too far if the cinch mechansim fails, and they won't flail around and mark up the tupperware plastic on your KLR. Arden Kysely A11 "Mr. K"

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "Peter Dahlheimer, MD" wrote: > what everyone else said, and don't forget to tighten down the straps some > after a rain. they loosen up. > > > _________________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > Get your free @... address at http://mail.yahoo.com

[Duvall Ed]

> > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: > > To: > > Sent: Monday, August 27, 2001 7:36 AM > > Subject: [DSN_klr650] Pick-up truck & KLR > > > > > >> I recently purchased a Ford F-150 (super cab, regular bed)and I

have

> >> been thinking about how to load the KLR onto the bed in case of > >> emergency. I am new to pick-up truckin' so I don't know anything > >> about after market products or best practices. A lot of listers

seem

> >> to regularly truck their bikes around so I'm hoping someone can

tell

> >> me the best way to get the KLR on and off the truck. > >> > >> John in T.O. A11

One trick I learned, besides all the usual things listed below, is to set a milk crate, cooler, or some other stable thing to use as a step for when you walk the bike up the ramp. The idea is to put the crate on the ground next to the ramp, then push the bike up the ramp, and then step up onto the crate so you can step into the bed. With a little practice, and a walking start, you can get a bike into the bed pretty easily. Here's a list of the other usual things, probably already mentioned: have a good solid ramp make sure it is secured angle the front of the truck up on a slope if possible to make the back of the bed lower have help whenever possible if you're alone, and the bike starts to go, let it go. Ed Duvall, WA