Hi,

Sorry if this has been discussed before.

I am getting ready to haul my bikes for the first time.  I will be using a three rail motorcycle trailer.  The question is, is it best to compress the front forks or to put something between the front tire and the front fender, to achieve a ridged front suspension?

Thanks,
Mark

I compress the forks within a few inches of maximum travel. Some guys use "seal savers" or "fork savers" which can be made from 2X4 and jammed between the tire and the triple trees, but I just compress 'em. If the seals are that weak that they can't handle a few hours, they're gonna leak on the ride. You do not want the bike flopping up and down while trailer, sure fire way to have a strap get loose.
Either way works.

I don't use those "fork saver" things.  And I only compress the forks about 1/4-1/3 of the way down.

I crank them down about 2", I only had a problem one time, I loaded the bike when it was still hot, the forks were covered in mud, when I cranked it down, the r/s starting leaking, But the fork seals were long overdue to be changed anyway. But I have no other problems traveling hundreds of miles w/ them strapped down.

i compress mine, but not very far, like 4 inches at most. i tried making a fork bracket thing out of 2x4 like some have said and i just didn't like it, so i compress and i haven't had one bike leak on me yet.

Thanks for everyone’s responses. It looks unanimous, compress!

I've never used one of those block things. I've never blown a fork seal from it. I got my first bike in 1972.

We use a cut piece of plastic 1.5" sch 40 pipe. No compression. creates a rigid triangle when tying down bikes moreso than leaving suspension with the ability to compress and "soften" that rigid triangle. hole in the pipe fits over knobbies nicely. other end fits between the fender bolts.

5 bikes loaded transverse in the trailer, nothing moves.

But, to each their own.

I compress. I have used to have one of those fork saver things and used it a few times until one time it rattled out on a washboard road leaving my bike VERY lose on the trailer. Never again.

Seen a few bikes come loose on a trailer when big bumps were encountered.  I now used a seal saver for a more solid tie. Not really concerned w/seals just hate to have a bike bounce loose.

Edited by capt justin, 30 May 2012 - 04:49 PM.