Tying down a motorcycle on pre-fabricated/re-usable crate: roll on base, snap crate sides and top on, ready to go.

This crate had to be custom made to fit the airplane loading door, quite small, so the motorcycle had to be made as small possibly to fit in the box, removing the wheels and compressing the forks and rear shock.

The crate was required to be unsealed when turned over to the Customs warehouse so officials could inspect what was declared to be inside, and possibly remove some items left loose, like helmet, boots and clothing. They nailed the top on after their inspection.

Upon arriving at the destination the motorcycle may have to be re-assembled under difficult conditions, and usually is dry of gasoline and battery removed (left behind) or disconnected.

Another way to get the crated motorcycle away from the airport to a safer or more convenient location to reassemble is to rent a truck or hire a truck and driver, making sure the truck bed is big enough to accommodate the crate, and you have a way to get it in/out of the truck bed.

Crate ready to close-up. Nails and screws make Customs inspections along the way difficult for officials to open the crate. This crate snapped together, making inspections easy as well as re-assembly.

Alone, re-assembling a crated motorcycle takes some improvising, like how to get the wheels on, where to get gasoline, a battery and often insurance before Customs will let the motorcycle out of their warehouse area.

The answer to re-installing the wheels on this motorcycle alone was to lay it on its side and quickly make the installation before the engine oil found its way out and onto the ground, then levering the motorcycle upright.