Parking my M8 Fat Boy regularly on a hill. Will it damage the engine or cause issues?
#11
This to me is one of the picture is worth a thousand words posts. Love to see the hill.
I did want to mention. A car or bike could creep if parked in gear (without a parking brake applied, and even with, been there) due to the compression bleeding down over time. Been there if the hill is steep enough or your parked there long enough. If it moves a few feet is a critical issue, I would find a better spot to park in.
JMHO,
Tom
I did want to mention. A car or bike could creep if parked in gear (without a parking brake applied, and even with, been there) due to the compression bleeding down over time. Been there if the hill is steep enough or your parked there long enough. If it moves a few feet is a critical issue, I would find a better spot to park in.
JMHO,
Tom
#12
Join Date: Aug 2012
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You have nothing to worry about. I've run heavy equipment, skid steers, backhoes, at some crazy steep angles, with the motor running long periods of time. No that's not a Harley, but it's an internal combustion engine, more alike than not.
I enjoy watching old Harley's run, especially antiques, when the oil is in the right side of the fuel tank, and you can pop the cap and see it circulating. Oil pumps today are a lot better than they were in the 1930's, and those worked pretty damn good....
I enjoy watching old Harley's run, especially antiques, when the oil is in the right side of the fuel tank, and you can pop the cap and see it circulating. Oil pumps today are a lot better than they were in the 1930's, and those worked pretty damn good....
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#13
Parking in gear is a common practice, and harms nothing. But since you describe this as being extremely steep, try it, and try nudging the bike some. If it's too steep, the bike may very gradually walk its way out. BTDT.
Parking in neutral is rarely a good idea, and may even be illegal. Precisely because the vehicle can roll out into the roadway, which is never a good thing.
A velcro strap on the hand brake is a quick and easy way to apply brake pressure. This, combined with being in gear, may be the best approach if it's a really steep incline. You don't have to go nuts with trying to crush the lever with the strap.
A chock is extremely awkward to use and carry. I personally would not bother.
Parking in neutral is rarely a good idea, and may even be illegal. Precisely because the vehicle can roll out into the roadway, which is never a good thing.
A velcro strap on the hand brake is a quick and easy way to apply brake pressure. This, combined with being in gear, may be the best approach if it's a really steep incline. You don't have to go nuts with trying to crush the lever with the strap.
A chock is extremely awkward to use and carry. I personally would not bother.
#14
#15
Help me with that, Dave
I didn't think it would make a difference?
Doesn't in my drive as far as I can tell
side note, I think Foxtrapper has the best idea if concerned about it ....a velcro strap "parking brake"
..L.T.A.
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tar_snake (07-25-2024)
#16
#17
So I very carefully parked on the incline briefly, just to see if it would roll or anything in gear. The bike did not. So I very very carefully put the bike in neutral and back on the kickstand and it didnt move.
So It'd be safe for me to park on that hill and in gear. The lean angle on the kickstand though is pretty steep. feels like it's dealing with an enormous amount of weight.
Its probably fine. Thanks for the input everyone.
So It'd be safe for me to park on that hill and in gear. The lean angle on the kickstand though is pretty steep. feels like it's dealing with an enormous amount of weight.
Its probably fine. Thanks for the input everyone.
#19
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#20
I would let it back into the curb at an angle using the the brakes and let rear tire act as a stop on curb if the exhaust didn't hit the curb.
It will have lubrication starting if it had it getting up the incline. Just start it up and pull out with motor. If an incline is too steep for a Harley to pump oil, it probably can't go up it.
Or are you implying its so steep, the bike could tip over on the stand?
Even in first gear, on an extremely steep hill, a Harley will roll back and slide the stand. I have felt and heard mine doing that on a concrete drive way.
It will have lubrication starting if it had it getting up the incline. Just start it up and pull out with motor. If an incline is too steep for a Harley to pump oil, it probably can't go up it.
Or are you implying its so steep, the bike could tip over on the stand?
Even in first gear, on an extremely steep hill, a Harley will roll back and slide the stand. I have felt and heard mine doing that on a concrete drive way.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; 07-21-2024 at 05:52 AM.