I wrote up a multi-part series for the Harley Digest and NJ cycles a while
back on garage sercurity. Here is part 1. FWIW, I'm an ex-cop and I hate
crime!!! 8>) Some of these tips are motorcycle related, but they may give
you an idea for something else.
First off, what people don't see, they don't steel. It's that simple.
Keeping you doors shut and curtains over the windows will do alot in
preventing thief. I recommend replacing garage windows with Glass Block.
It lets light in, but you can't see through it and it's a pain to break.
If you live on a busy street, leave your garage door open ONLY as long as
you need it. Someone passing buy may see something it there and come back
later for it.
Steel doors are worth the extra cost. Steel garage doors are GREAT. When
you install them, put the panel with the windows on the TOP (not second to
the top) This prevents people from seeing in as easy. Also, either
lightly sandblast the windows or get a frosting covering for them.
When using a chain to lock up something try to keep the chain as high as
possible. Reasoning behind this thought is to make it harder to cut the
chain with bolt cutters. Most chained bikes I see have the chain lazily
laying on the ground which allows one end of the bolt cutters to be placed
on the ground for leverage. Also, you want the chain as short as possible,
you don't want them to have the ability to move the chain where they need
it.
On my old softail the dash mounted ignition switch was so hokey I never
locked it. I put a DPDT toggle switch between the switch and the coil. The
other terminal I wired directly into the horn so that if the ignition
switch was turned on while the toggle was in the #2 position, the horn
immediately sounded. This also helps keep the idiots off of your scoot who
want to see how it feels to sit on (play on) one. Does scare the living
hell out of you when you forget that you flipped the switch though.
On my roll up garage doors....when I take the truck for a long (overnight)
trip, I put padlocks in the door frame to keep it from opening more than
about 6"." end of email
Also, you may want to cut or remove the rope for the Garage door openers
bypass. Most of the time, this rope hangs down right in front of the
windows. All you need to do break the window and pull the rope to open the
garage door.
To make a place to anchor your bike. A better anchor for a floor- dig a
hole in the floor about 2'x2'x2'. Then get some PVC pipe (about 2.5" id)
and make a "U" shape with the pipe fittings (2-90degree bends and some
straight sections. Place the "u" in the hole and fill with concrete. Make
sure the tops of the "u" are flush with the top of the new floor. Now, just
run your cobra link (or any kind of chain) in the hole and out the other
side and chain to it. Best part, when you aren't using it there is nothing
sticking out of the floor. Works outside also (just make sure you drain
the "u" bottom.)
Another security method is to remove any keys you store outside. Even if
hidden, once someone sees you use it, they know where it is. If you NEED a
key outside, they have combo lock boxes that would be better.
Note, I have replaced all the locks in my house with combo locks (like the
ones for the kitchen in Burger King) These aren't cheap, but they allow
for keyless entry (which is good if someone steals you keychain (purse or
car with keys in it))
Hope you enjoy.
Send any comments or tips to me at...
Inch
Hooligan #3
http://megageek.com
mailto:inch@meageek.com
"I used to cry about not having any shoes,
until I met a man with only one motorcycle!" 8>)
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