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Post by cookie on May 1, 2007 9:43:31 GMT
what's the best way to stand the bike on the ferry?
Used the centre stand once, but the deck was so slippery that it was a b*gger to get off - just slid around on the stand!
Used sidestand on the way back, but subsequently read that you shouldn't leave it in gear as it can damage the gearbox if it's rough. Not sure I would trust it if it's not in gear.
It's a Divvy 9 so I don't want it to be falling over!
cheers
Cookie
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Post by malcky on May 1, 2007 9:49:57 GMT
never done it my self, but cut up a rubber door mat just right size for center stand to sit on and that might stop it sliding if deck gets wet. Its also easy enough to roll up and pack under seat.
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Post by Ghoti on May 1, 2007 9:53:43 GMT
what's the best way to stand the bike on the ferry? Used the centre stand once, but the deck was so slippery that it was a b*gger to get off - just slid around on the stand! Used sidestand on the way back, but subsequently read that you shouldn't leave it in gear as it can damage the gearbox if it's rough. Not sure I would trust it if it's not in gear. It's a Divvy 9 so I don't want it to be falling over! cheers Cookie I just wait to be told. The chaps on the boats have done it may more times that me. Normally it gets put on the centre stand and in gear (although that always seems pointless as the rear wheel is off the ground), but they do change their methods occaisonally. On the centre stand it is easier to strap the bike down too (I put my gloves under the straps to protect the seat). If in doubt, find one of the crew and ask for advice. What was the damage that can be caused to the gear box and why? I can't see what harm it would do on the side stand in gear. |
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Post by CD on May 1, 2007 10:03:29 GMT
Rubber mat a good idea.
I've never done this but imagine the side stand might be the best option as the Divvie 900 centre stand is amazingly narrow. To stop it flicking back, you could tie the stand to the front engine mount. I think its welded straight onto the frame so any damage shouldn't wreck the engine. Though any side stand damage would be bad enough.
Before you go its worth checking the centre stand curved cross brace tube just above the welds. Mine seemed fine until I rolled the bike off the stand and "clonk" the off side half dropped to the floor. I rewelded it and added a flat bar cross brace.
It was difficult to correctly aligning the broken halves. Off the bike you cant be sure its aligned. On the bike access is horrible (and there are the bike electrics to consider). The job would have been quite easy if I had seen the crack before it snapped though.
I think the design is weak so if you have time/facilities its worth adding an extra cross brace before it cracks.
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Post by 2old2boogie on May 1, 2007 11:01:20 GMT
I've always used the side-stand. Been on lots of ferries over the years and its never failed.
With the bike on the side-stand you have a tripod. A rigid tripod.
The two wheels and the stand make it almost impossible to topple over, or be thrown over. It cannot go to the left as the stand is holding it. It cannot go to the right as all the weight is leaning to the left.
Put a plastic tie round the front brake lever and leave it in 1st gear.
Do'nt forget to have something in your pocket to cut the tie with, or use a bungie around the brake lever.
Put a glove or two under the strap when it's tied down.
HTH
Jim
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Post by scousejeff on May 1, 2007 11:02:55 GMT
Carry a few old newspapers in your jacket and use them to cushion the straps. That way no matter how tight they are, your bike is fine.
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2007 16:31:29 GMT
Having been a sailorStop yawning at the back  I would never leave a bike in gear. If the boat pitches it also decelerates as it punches into a wave, so the bike will try to move forward, as the boat comes off a wave it accelerates, so the bike will try to move back, therefore the gearbox will have an on/off strain put on it, maybe many times depending on the length of the voyage and the sea conditions. The only way to secure a load on a ship is by strapping/lashing down. If your not confident with ropes or straps get advice from the crew. Sailors are great ;D
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Post by ContourMac on May 1, 2007 16:33:35 GMT
During the war.......................zzzzzzzzzzzz
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2007 16:43:10 GMT
Among my medals, zzzzzzz, VD and scar.  I was in Aden with mad Mitch I'll have you know |
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Post by alpaholic on May 2, 2007 7:55:03 GMT
Having been a sailorI would never leave a bike in gear. If the boat pitches it also decelerates as it punches into a wave, so the bike will try to move forward, as the boat comes off a wave it accelerates, so the bike will try to move back, therefore the gearbox will have an on/off strain put on it, maybe many times depending on the length of the voyage and the sea conditions. Errr, I think a gear box can take repeated on and off loads with no problem at all. Everytime you accelerate or let off the gas for instance. (80 odd ft/lbs under acceleration) And those trains are way beyond a gentle pressure which is so light that it doesn't even turn the engine over! Both Ferry firms and the Tunnel will ask you to leave the bike in gear. Mind you they don't check so you could easily get away without doing it. |
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2007 8:53:50 GMT
Having been a sailorI would never leave a bike in gear. If the boat pitches it also decelerates as it punches into a wave, so the bike will try to move forward, as the boat comes off a wave it accelerates, so the bike will try to move back, therefore the gearbox will have an on/off strain put on it, maybe many times depending on the length of the voyage and the sea conditions. Errr, I think a gear box can take repeated on and off loads with no problem at all. Everytime you accelerate or let off the gas for instance. (80 odd ft/lbs under acceleration) And those trains are way beyond a gentle pressure which is so light that it doesn't even turn the engine over! Both Ferry firms and the Tunnel will ask you to leave the bike in gear. Mind you they don't check so you could easily get away without doing it. I haven't used the tunnel, but am I right in thinking they don't strap down bikes? Using a gear box to stop movement isn't what it was designed for. Now if bikes had handbrakes ;D |
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Post by alpaholic on May 2, 2007 9:24:28 GMT
I haven't used the tunnel, but am I right in thinking they don't strap down bikes? Yes. Using a gear box to stop movement isn't what it was designed for. Gearboxes aren't designed for engine braking? Well maybe that isn't the primary gearbox function but engine braking is a normal part of biking and if it can handle engine braking/acceleration with enough momentum force to turn the engine it can certainly handle it when the bike doesn't even have the momentum to turn the engine! Gearboxes can easily transmit as much torque as the engine can provide to the rear wheel. They can transmit as much torque as the rear wheel can provide to the engine when you close the throttle on the open road. The idea that they would suddenly get damaged or worn by the miniscule forces involved in stopping the bike shifting forwards or backwards is laughable. In contrast if your bike works loose as it shifts forward and backwards in transit it's gonna get damaged. |
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2007 10:16:35 GMT
Don't want to disagree with an Old Sailor but the Ferries I've been on requested that the bike be left in gear and on side stand. (Haven't you travelled Rosyth - Zeebrugge, Gordy ? )
Also strapped down so movement would be minimal anyway. Twot to get the straps off though, had to wait for the crew after 5 different bikers couldn't budge the strap last time. Felt like a wimp.
Dunc.
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2007 10:24:22 GMT
Using the HSS ferry to get to the NW200 for 5 years nobody left their bikes in gear, many strapped the front brake on with some sort of tie, strong elastic band or similar. My first time on this ferry I was with a biker who had run his own trucking business to N.I. so I figured he new something about securing vehicles. His favoured method was bike on side stand, strap in down until the suspension started to compress, then have other straps to prevent forward or rearward movement. I got myself a couple of these 1" wide ratchet straps and it made the whole business a lot easier than trying to use the greasy old ropes the crew gave you.
You've really got to weigh up how much bother the crew take if they do it. On the Superfast Rosyth to Zeebrugge run (17 hrs) the Greek crew are excellent, padding under the straps and
plenty of them.
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Post by alpaholic on May 2, 2007 10:26:16 GMT
Don't want to disagree with an Old Sailor but the Ferries I've been on requested that the bike be left in gear and on side stand. Mind ewe, I've noticed the Tunnel now request that the bike rear wheel isn't left on the metal bit because 'it moves'. However AFAIC the movement is minimal or non existantant and unless you're at the front or the back you can no longer put your bike in the safest orientation. (The orientation they used to demand.) So maybe best practice an what the carrier asks for aren't always the same. (...but in this case they are!) |
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Post by latestartertommy on May 2, 2007 10:33:21 GMT
unless you're at the front or the back you can no longer put your bike in the safest orientation. (The orientation they used to demand.) On the way out to France last year we were last to board and were told to keep a clear carriage between us and the last car. This ever happen to you? On the way back we were right behind the last car. Tommy. |
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Post by alpaholic on May 2, 2007 10:46:06 GMT
unless you're at the front or the back you can no longer put your bike in the safest orientation. (The orientation they used to demand.) On the way out to France last year we were last to board and were told to keep a clear carriage between us and the last car. This ever happen to you? On the way back we were right behind the last car. Tommy. IME they try hard to keep bikes and cars in different carriages [1] so being in a differnet carriage is the norm. However just recently I've been put in the same carriage as a car so they do seem to put bikes directly behind cars from time to time. (maybe when busy) I've never heard of a full empty carriage being needed between bikes and cars. The tunnel rocks. Flexible and bike friendly. [1] Bikes always last on. |
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Post by Ghoti on May 2, 2007 10:57:10 GMT
It depends on how many bikes there are.
If there are only a few bikes then they fit them into the back of a carriage (not always the last carriage). If there are more bikes then they get a carriage to themselves and I have been in the situation of having a spare carriage in front. This was when the train was fairly empty and there were about 15 bikes. At least it left room to have a game of football in the empty carriage.
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Post by alpaholic on May 2, 2007 11:32:55 GMT
It depends on how many bikes there are. If there are only a few bikes then they fit them into the back of a carriage (not always the last carriage). If there are more bikes then they get a carriage to themselves Nah, even if there's only one or two they still try to put you in a carriage with no cars. I went on my own and had the carriage to myself[1] ditto L and I. I'm pretty sure they try to keep cars and bikes apart (for safety reasons?) but there are exceptions where they'll stick bikes behind cars (or Coaches now I think about it 'cos you don't always go on a low train). [1]http://snap25.photobox.co.uk/58239876344b4a85d807aa7dea92463d8802c498ce98d99f4b3795ea.jpg |
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