cower@columbia.UUCP (Rich Cower) (07/08/85)
I will soon be moving to the other coast, and have arranged for a moving company to move all my stuff. Included are two BMW motorcycles (a 78 RS Motosport, a 51 R51/3). Both these bikes are like new, since I keep them in my apartment and never ride them in New York (for lots of reasons). Anyway - anyone got any tips I can give the moving people (Bekins) to insure these things get to Calif. in one piece? Can I assume the mover will take all the required precautions? I took the gas/oil out long ago (although it is not required under current N.Y. law when storing them in your apt.!). I'm considering taking fenders off and just boxing them. Anyone else done this sort of thing? Did the bike(s) make it ok? thanks...rich
skinner@saber.UUCP (Robert Skinner) (07/09/85)
> I will soon be moving to the other coast, and have arranged for a > moving company to move all my stuff. Included are two BMW motorcycles > (a 78 RS Motosport, a 51 R51/3). > Anyway - anyone got any tips I can give the moving people (Bekins) > to insure these things get to Calif. in one piece? > > thanks...rich *** REPLACE THIS LINE WITH YOUR MESSAGE *** I moved from Texas to Cal. with a 750 Yamaha, 400 Yamaha, and a Honda Civic, all in the (United) moving van. Here's the arrangement: 750 strapped to the left wall, 400 strapped to the 750, and the car parked next to the 400. Here are the problems: The 750's mini-fairing rubbed some paint off in contact with the wall, even through the padding. The 400 came loose and banged into the door of the car, damaging the car door, but not the bike. (The bike was used for road-racing so it's hard to tell if it was damaged.) As I recall, I wasn't as confident of the movers job of strapping the 400 in as I was of the job on the 750. I would definitely recommend boxing the fairings. I don't know how well two BMW's would fit next to each other, what with the big jugs hanging out the way they do. If you want to make *sure* it's done right, you may want to box the bikes. I remember an issue of Cycle or Motorcyclist that gave instructions for making your own crate, but that was at least three years ago. I was there and helped load the bikes on the truck. I would recommend you do also, if the union will let you. My truck had a 5 foot tall ramp at 45 degrees. The 750 was too heavy for us, so I had to take it up under power. After getting it started up the ramp, I hesitated and tried to put my foot down. My foot no longer reached the ramp going down, because the ramp was 40% farther away. The movers were on either side to keep me upright, but I was starting to panic. No guts, no glory: so I gave it gas, went up into the van, and the door almost knocked me off before I ducked (very low). That was exciting, but I'd rather not do it again. I hope you and your bikes have a safe move. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Name: Robert Skinner Mail: Saber Technology, 2381 Bering Drive, San Jose, California 95131 AT&T: (408) 945-0518, or 945-9600 (mesg. only) UUCP: ...{decvax,ucbvax}!decwrl!saber!skinner ...{amd,ihnp4,ittvax}!saber!skinner
roland@inmet.UUCP (07/10/85)
Go down to your local, friendly BMW dealer and beg or buy one of their shipping crates. BMW ships bikes fully assembled (except mirrors and windshields) and therefore the crates are large enough for almost any bike. (Most other bikes are shipped as do-it-your-dealer kits in much smaller crates.)