Topic: Taking apart bike to travel to the US

[rob]

Hi everyone,

I am moving down to the states, and I want to bring both my minivan, and bike.  I am thinking of saving the money of buying a trailer and taking the bike apart and putting it inside my minivan for the trip down to the US.  Just take off the wheels, forks, handlebars, and exhaust, and let it sit on the frame upright in the back of the van.   Is this a good or bad idea?  Will I have trouble at the border?  Just curious if anyone has any thoughts

Thanks,

Rob

[Barrett99]

I think I'd rent a trailer instead of going to the considerable trouble of taking the bike apart.  If the border or customs people decided to fully inspect your van you might have a hard time getting all that stuff back in.

[Gordon]

What kind of minivan do you have?  I once fit my 750 in the back of an '86 Toyota van, the only thing I had to do was remove the mirrors and loosen the handlebars to tilt them down.  Made for an interesting sleeping arrangement on the way home, though.

[rob]

I am actually in the minivan market.  That is interesting that you could fit in with such little modification.  I am looking at an 84 Toyata Van right now, so maybe that'll work.

Rob