Question about transportation

Is it hard on the forks to be left fully compressed when tied down? Will it weaken them if left that way for a couple days?

[ConqSoft]

When towing, never compress them all the way down. 50%

Thanks!

[G-Force Junkie]

similar to the great oil debate, this debate will last just as long. My 2cents on it is: holding a compression spring in compression does little if any 'damage' to it, repetitive cycling of a spring is what 'wears' it out, The last speed bump you hit did more wear on the spring than being tied down on a trailer. Seals, can be affected, by continous compression, as they are under constant pressure from the inside. But often, if you see oil weaping from a fork seal, its probaly a combination of wear, old age, or damage being discovered when the forks are pressureised for extended periods. So IMHO, strapping bike down for a few days or week isnt going to damage anything, if I was going to store a bike for months or years, I would not leave it strapped to a trailer.

mike

[nhfirefighter13]

I agree with GFJ on this one. When I trailer bikes for the shop (nearly everyday) and when we ship them cross country (bikes can be in the crate up to a week) we compress the forks as far as they will go. Haven't had a problem yet.

G-Force Junkie : similar to the great oil debate, this debate will last just as long. *My 2cents on it is: *holding a compression spring in compression does little if any 'damage' to it, repetitive cycling of a spring is what 'wears' it out, The last speed bump you hit did more wear on the spring than being tied down on a trailer. *Seals, can be affected, by continous compression, as they are under constant pressure from the inside. *But often, if you see oil weaping from a fork seal, its probaly a combination of wear, old age, or damage being discovered when the forks are pressureised for extended periods. *So IMHO, strapping *bike down for a few days or week isnt going to damage anything, if I was going to store a bike for months or years, I would not leave it strapped to a trailer.

mike

Agreed

[ND4SPD]

Think of it this way....if you don't compress it at all, the bikes suspension will work just the same on every bump as if you were riding over it on its own wheels.

ND4SPDSHO : Think of it this way....if you don't compress it at all, the bikes suspension will work just the same on every bump as if you were riding over it on its own wheels.

But then the straps would go slack on compression ...

[ConqSoft]

firedawgon929 : Quote (ND4SPDSHO @ June 15 2003, 2:33pm)Think of it this way....if you don't compress it at all, the bikes suspension will work just the same on every bump as if you were riding over it on its own wheels.

But then the straps would go slack on compression ...
That's why you only do it 50%, so it can move either direction and still not move enough to release the strap hooks...

[ND4SPD]

ConqSoft : Quote (firedawgon929 @ June 16 2003, 12:16am)Quote (ND4SPDSHO @ June 15 2003, 2:33pm)Think of it this way....if you don't compress it at all, the bikes suspension will work just the same on every bump as if you were riding over it on its own wheels.

But then the straps would go slack on compression ...
That's why you only do it 50%, so it can move either direction and still not move enough to release the strap hooks...
Exactly

Would these help:

Fork Support

Yeah if we're talking about dirt bikes

Gotch ya

gautamde : Would these help:

Fork Support

I made some of those out of PVC pipe......