How to Tie Down the Gl1800

Preparing the Bike

• 1

  Center the bike at the front of the trailer, or use a wheel chock to hold the GL1800 in place.

• 2

  Place the GL1800 in gear to prevent accidental movement of the motorcycle as you are tying it down.

• 3

  Stabilize the Gold Wing as you anchor it to the trailer by positioning your assistant at the front of the motorcycle, on the right-hand side. Your assistant will apply the front brake as you secure the ties to the bike.

Securing the Front of the Bike

• 4

  Wrap a soft tie strap around the left-hand fork tube and then loop it over the lower triple-clamp on the left side of the bike. Connect a ratchet strap by inserting the hook closest to the ratcheting component into the loop of the soft tie. As you tighten the strap, you will be pulling into the kickstand, which will help keep the bike stable during the tie-down process.

• 5

  Anchor the other end of the ratchet strap to the trailer. The anchor point should be in front of the front wheel, so the strap forms a 45-degree angle to the front.

• 6

  Pull firmly to remove any slack in the ratchet strap.

• 7

  Repeat the tie-down process on the left-hand wheel fork, adjusting the straps on both sides to ensure that the Gold Wing remains in a vertical position, and until the forks are compressed about halfway.

Securing the Rear of the Bike

• 8

  Loop a soft tie around the sub-frame and the saddlebag guard on the right side of the bike. The loop must go around both of these components, to provide optimal strength.

• 9

  Slide the ratchet strap hook nearest to the ratchet into the soft tie loop and attach the hook at the other end of the strap to the trailer just past the rear wheel of the motorcycle.

• 10

  Pull to remove the slack on the ratchet strap, and tighten it just until snug. You can tighten it more, if necessary, once the opposite tie-down strap is in place.

• 11

  Repeat tie-down process on the left-hand side of the rear wheel, and snug both straps equally.

Securing the Center of the Bike

• 12

  Remove the side cover to access the frame in the center of your GL1800.

• 13

  Loop a soft tie loop around the narrow portion of the left side of the frame, and secure one hook of the ratchet strap to the loop on the soft tie. Attach the other hook to the trailer, approximately 12 to 18 inches ahead of the point of attachment on the bike.

• 14

  Repeat the tie-down process on the right side of the bike's frame. Connect the ratchet strap's hook to the trailer opposite the strap on the left side of the GL1800.

• 15

  Tighten the last ratchet strap until secure, and double-check all straps for a snug fit and even tension.