HarleyTechTalk

Technical Forums => General => Topic started by: coojoh on May 04, 2012, 02:51:54 PM

Title: Harbor Freight Wheel Chock
Post by: coojoh on May 04, 2012, 02:51:54 PM
I got one of these wheel chocks in my trailer to haul our 06 Streetglide to AZ and back from Canada - Feb and Mar here a little tough to ride, besides more snow in Flagstaff than where I am in southern BC.

Anyway my question is: has anybody on here got the bike locked in so tight that it wouldn't come out without taking the chock apart? We had 3 guys pulling and it wouldn't budge. First time I used it the bike came out no problem but this time no go.

Thanks for any advice, Coojoh
Title: Re: Harbor Freight Wheel Chock
Post by: rel3rd on May 04, 2012, 05:46:26 PM
Dumb question, maybe, but was/is the chock bolted down?

I'll admit getting my bike stuck on the same exact chock, when I first bought it...but the chock wasn't bolted down. The next day I took it to work and fabricated and welded on a few plates onto it so I could use it to hold the bike upright in the driveway for cleaning or repairs, or in the back of my truck to haul the bike if need be. It's been in the chock now a dozen times since without an issue.

Since the chock technically doesn't have an actual locking mechanism on it (it's held in by the weight of the bike), I can't see how a bike could get stuck...unless it wasn't bolted down, or adjusted incorrectly.
Title: Re: Harbor Freight Wheel Chock
Post by: Rusty Steel on May 04, 2012, 06:48:22 PM
I have one of them chocks. Cant say that I ever had your problem before. My thought is to let the air out of the tire..
Good luck.
Title: Re: Harbor Freight Wheel Chock
Post by: mark61 on May 05, 2012, 11:10:02 AM
Quote from: rel3rd on May 04, 2012, 05:46:26 PM

The next day I took it to work and fabricated and welded on a few plates onto it so I could use it to hold the bike upright in the driveway for cleaning or repairs, or in the back of my truck to haul the bike if need be. It's been in the chock now a dozen times since without an issue.


Pictures?
Title: Re: Harbor Freight Wheel Chock
Post by: chaos901 on May 05, 2012, 11:39:02 AM
I have one of those chocks on my lift table, I have to have a piece of 3/4 plywood that the tire lands on when it rotates over.  Might not be the best solution but it works for me.
Title: Re: Harbor Freight Wheel Chock
Post by: rel3rd on May 05, 2012, 12:17:06 PM
Quote from: mark61 on May 05, 2012, 11:10:02 AM
Quote from: rel3rd on May 04, 2012, 05:46:26 PM

The next day I took it to work and fabricated and welded on a few plates onto it so I could use it to hold the bike upright in the driveway for cleaning or repairs, or in the back of my truck to haul the bike if need be. It's been in the chock now a dozen times since without an issue.


Pictures?

Here ya go...
1/4" x 3" at the front, rear, and under the center of the plate that came with it. All mig welded and I also welded some 1/4" diameter, 1 inch rings at the front to strap it down if not in the back in the truck and strapped to it...Using the lowest pivot hole, I can unload, easily, by myself. Loading a bike into the truck, simply ride into the chock, hop off and take my good old time strapping it down. No need to have anyone hold the bike upright as the chock does that for me.

[attachment removed after 60 days by system]
Title: Re: Harbor Freight Wheel Chock
Post by: coojoh on May 05, 2012, 05:17:17 PM
Thanks for the ideas. The chock is bolted down. I am no welder but have a buddy who is - but a long ways off. May try the 3/4" plywood idea for starters. Like I said the first time it worked great. I like not having to worry about the bike staying up while I tie it down and the price of these things you can't beat.
Title: Re: Harbor Freight Wheel Chock
Post by: rel3rd on May 05, 2012, 05:32:06 PM
coojoh, which of the 3 bolt holes do you have the pivot bolts in?
Title: Re: Harbor Freight Wheel Chock
Post by: Ed Y on May 05, 2012, 08:32:34 PM
I figured you might be talking about this one. Might cost more but it's built a little better.

http://www.harborfreight.com/motorcycle-stand-wheel-chock-97841.html (http://www.harborfreight.com/motorcycle-stand-wheel-chock-97841.html)
Title: Re: Harbor Freight Wheel Chock
Post by: Upswept on May 06, 2012, 06:05:38 AM
Just another reason to stay out of harbor freight.  Poor quality chinese made tools.
Title: Re: Harbor Freight Wheel Chock
Post by: Deye76 on May 06, 2012, 06:13:47 AM
The one Ed Y posted is a much better design.
Title: Re: Harbor Freight Wheel Chock
Post by: mark61 on May 07, 2012, 04:51:54 PM
Quote from: Ed Y on May 05, 2012, 08:32:34 PM
I figured you might be talking about this one. Might cost more but it's built a little better.

http://www.harborfreight.com/motorcycle-stand-wheel-chock-97841.html (http://www.harborfreight.com/motorcycle-stand-wheel-chock-97841.html)

       2 months a go I bought both chocks being discussed here. That is why I was interested in the pictures. They look as well made as I see on the tables at the local HD shop. Maybe a little lighter material but not flimsy! The 1 Ed links to has much more material and labor in manufacturing than the OP chock. Like I said they look reasonable and well enough made-even to me. I build this stuff and more daily in steel mill. I have pieces to build the 1st  but the cost from HF on sale with a coupon  was low enough I grabbed 1!
Title: Re: Harbor Freight Wheel Chock
Post by: rel3rd on May 07, 2012, 05:04:15 PM
Quote from: mark61 on May 07, 2012, 04:51:54 PM
I have pieces to build the 1st  but the cost from HF on sale with a coupon  was low enough I grabbed 1!

Exactly what I did. I actually built two basic non-locking chocks, one a prototype, and one that I used a few times, then I saw the locking one at HF for $34.99 and chose to get it and invest an hours worth of simple fabrication to modify it to my liking.
Title: Re: Harbor Freight Wheel Chock
Post by: mark61 on May 08, 2012, 04:23:32 AM
Quote from: rel3rd on May 07, 2012, 05:04:15 PM
Quote from: mark61 on May 07, 2012, 04:51:54 PM
I have pieces to build the 1st  but the cost from HF on sale with a coupon  was low enough I grabbed 1!

Exactly what I did. I actually built two basic non-locking chocks, one a prototype, and one that I used a few times, then I saw the locking one at HF for $34.99 and chose to get it and invest an hours worth of simple fabrication to modify it to my liking.


Sale+coupon=$25+Pa. tax= @26.63
Title: Re: Harbor Freight Wheel Chock
Post by: rel3rd on May 08, 2012, 07:00:38 AM
you're right...it was $24.99.  :doh:
Title: Re: Harbor Freight Wheel Chock
Post by: coojoh on May 10, 2012, 01:39:05 PM
I had the bolts in the lowest hole - any higher and the bottom of the fender would be in the way.
Title: Re: Harbor Freight Wheel Chock
Post by: ridinflyin on May 12, 2012, 06:55:42 AM
yeah couldnt  get my bike otta it either till my brother came over to help and ask me if it was in gear,,which it was!!!   musta kicked it in sometime
Title: Re: Harbor Freight Wheel Chock
Post by: coojoh on May 12, 2012, 09:19:50 AM
That was the first thing I thought - but no it was in neutral