Shotgun transportation via motorcycle : Kawasaki ZX Forums: Kawasaki Ninja Forum

wongman1 · 10-23-2009, 01:26 PM

Theres a local gun range with trap up in the California hills. I would like to ride my bike thru the twisties to get there. Riding there with a shotgun sticking out like a samarai sword on my back prolly wont work - although that would be really cool....

I ride a sport touring 96 ZX-11 without sidebags.

Its a Moss 500 shotgun. 15 miles (20-25 mins) 1 way.

The barrel is 28", the stock+mag tube is 35". Overall length is 45"

Ammo and other gear would go in the tank bag.

Ive shot my first 4 rounds of trap in the last week and Im hooked. I plan to go up at least once a week. Theres other clay places around the SF bay area. A lot of times these places have bookoo traffic and a motorcycle would save lots of time and frustration.

Maybe getting a take down case, like for O\U's, and then mounting it somehow like a saddlebag. Sounds like something custom. I was hoping to find something I could purchase.

Anyone have any setups they would like to share or any other ideas?

**Shifty1** · 10-23-2009, 01:42 PM

Strapping a shotgun to the side of a street bike may be a little interesting. They're not really meant for that...anyway, all I can suggest is to get fabricating. Buy a lightweight case and fab up some brackets to hold it. Either that or get yourself a nice strap and throw it on your back. Either way, I think you may get stopped by your local's finest at least once.

rrzxter · 10-23-2009, 08:12 PM

Take it to your local gun shop or sporting goods store with a hunting section (like a Gander Mountain, etc) and have em show you how to take the barrel off. Then you could stick it in a back back. The barrel will stick up out of the top of the bag a bit but you could just wrap it up in a towel or something and put rubber bands around it. If you have a wooden stock, I'd wrap that up too just to keep it from bouncing around in the bag and getting scratched.

**Shifty1** · 10-24-2009, 12:02 AM

Don't know why I didn't think of that. I used to break down my shotguns all the time for storage.

bdruggan10R · 10-24-2009, 01:03 AM

On a Mossberg 500, you need to make sure it is safe and action the gun. After doing so, bring the slide back a bit and start turning the ring at the top of the tube. Once it breaks loose, untwist it all the way then bring the slide all the way back. That should make the break down complete as far as you want to take it. The barrel will twist to one side and off from the carrier. It is now safe for transport.

You should be able to carry it now. Call local LE agencies as laws difer and ask them about carrying it. If it is not concealed and is broken down and not ready at arm, then I do not see a problem even if it was visible. Add to it a trigger lock of some kind and you should be golden.

bdruggan10R · 10-24-2009, 01:08 AM

Found this for you after posting. Please use this for breaking down. DO NOT GO ANY FURTHER THAN 1:17 SECONDS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKbWcPdTRBI

rrzxter · 10-24-2009, 07:04 AM

I forgot how long the gun still is with the barrel off. Looks like you will have to take the stock off too. I think it's just a 1/2" bolt way inside the stock, you need an extention for the socket.

bdruggan10R · 10-24-2009, 07:45 AM

Forget what I said, while broken down, should not matter if it is concealed. It is not functional if broken down. Still I would ask local LE.

rrzxter · 10-24-2009, 12:54 PM

All you need is a phillips to get the butt off, a 1/2" socket and extention or, if the bolt has a slot like mine, a long flat-head screw driver to get the stock off. Mine's a Maverick, should be the same.

wongman1 · 10-26-2009, 10:22 AM

Great info guys. Great pics too. Thanks.

Breakin down the Moss500 is the most simple thing - One thumb screw and twist off the barrel. Thats not the problem. Im looking for a simple and graceful way to transport. The mount has to come off the bike easily. Im also considering using a take down case and strapping it to the back seat. But I dont want that thing hanging 17" past my tail light. Please it would take 5+ minutes to really secure that thing.

I normally dont wear a backpack, but that does offer one solution and Im really considering it for simplicity's sake. The only problem is that I was planning on using some loc-tite to keep the stock screw from rattling off all the time, so that still leaves me with a 35" stick poking out.

I just purchased an Over\Under shotgun case - 36" long, which should fit the stock and mag tube just right. I plan on putting some mount points on that case and then attaching it with some sort of custom mount system on the bike, like a side bag mounting system. Im thinking of some sort of flat metal bars attached under the seat that hang out the right side. I could just hook the case to the under seat bars. There are the bungee hooks on the bike, to run bars from, but I would like to keep them for other uses.

A little work up front, I dont mind, I just want to make sure its simple to deal with later. I know Im being a little finicky, but like I said, simple and gracefull is what Im looking for. I'll post pix when I get it done.

rrzxter · 10-26-2009, 10:36 AM

The stock bolt won't rattle off, if you noticed, I used a lock washer along with the flat washer on the stock bolt. So, it helps to use the ratchet to crank it down. I would suggest some type of back-pack/sling set-up with the gun broke down. I can't picture anywhere on the bike that the gun wouldn't be in your way and/or draw attention. Let us know what you come up with and take pics if you can.

wongman1 · 10-26-2009, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrzxter

The stock bolt won't rattle off, if you noticed, I used a lock washer along with the flat washer on the stock bolt. So, it helps to use the ratchet to crank it down. I would suggest some type of back-pack/sling set-up with the gun broke down. I can't picture anywhere on the bike that the gun wouldn't be in your way and/or draw attention. Let us know what you come up with and take pics if you can.

Ya, I guess a ratchet crankin down on it will keep from rattleling off. Im also paranoid about overstripping things, which Ive done plenty. I actually use a Knoxx Compstock- which I highly recommend-got it from MidwayUSA.com for $100. It really reduces recoil by 50%. Anyway, after about 4 rounds of trap, I noticed the stock was loose, but then again I hand tightened via screwdriver.

Will post pix soon....

Smalls · 10-26-2009, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdruggan10R

Call local LE agencies as laws difer and ask them about carrying it.

That would be a pretty hefty fine if you were to carry it illegally, and run the risk of having your firearm confiscated. ALWAYS call to be on the safe side. Heck, if you can get something in writing it would be even better.

Shumaki · 10-26-2009, 06:54 PM

Unless I am mistaken, you have already broken the law. It is my understanding that in California, it is a felony to type, write, or say the words gun, firearm, or weapon inless you are proposing a ban on said item.

rrzxter · 10-26-2009, 07:12 PM

Gun, weapon, firearm, gun, gun, gun, gun, gun, gun, shoot, fire, weapon, gun, gun, gun, gun............................ARCHERS..........LOOSE!!!!!!

ejmesq · 10-26-2009, 11:58 PM

Log on to "cheaper than dirt" and buy an inexpensive gun-smithing screw driver set. That way you will have a hollow-ground screw driver that will tightly fit in the shotgun screw slot.

Also go the CHP office and ask how you can legally transport the gun and ammunition. California is buried in firearm laws and you don't want to get charged with carrying a concealed weapon and ammunition.