Okay, so my wheel lock continually gives me trouble and I've given up on it. Bottomline: I can't wheel lock.

So if I park on a hill or slant, what are my other options?

Is the center-stand ok? But then the front wheel is still loose, and that wouldn't work right.

How about keeping the bike in gear (like 4th gear or whatever).... is it ok to leave a bike in any gear for long periods of time? Would anything happen to the clutch gears or anything else internally?

Park uphill on the sidestand with the transmission in first.  After killing the engine let out the clutch and allow the bike to roll back into gear, then put it on the sidestand.

When parking the bike, or any other vehicle... leave it in first gear. That's where you get most compression and that's what will stop your bike from moving (its not much concern for bikes - but for cars its best) its also easier to find 1st when you're coming to a stop, you're usually already there anyways! A higher gear will have less compression at the wheel and more chance to get you vehicle moving.

No leaving it in gear won't damage your transmission or any internals... it's meant to be in gear when you're riding where there are extreemly high speeds and centrifugal forces acting on the gears, park doesn't hurt it!

like GeeP said, on the sidestand and in gear, rather than on the centerstand. The centerstand is typically tipsy whereas on the sidestand you have your 2 tires aiding in stability.

less compression?

technically, the engine compression is the same no matter what gear....

the compression would be the same, its the gear force required no rotate the wheel that is higher in 1st. 

Sorry, just being picky 

Quote from: galahs on May 19, 2006, 05:12:19 AM
less compression?

technically, the engine compression is the same no matter what gear....

the compression would be the same, its the gear force required no rotate the wheel that is higher in 1st. 

Sorry, just being picky 

  Ough!   Someone had to say that.  Yes, engine compression would be the same.  But in 1'st gear, the rear wheel would have to turn 10 times to move down the hill.  10 times in 1'st gear would be many more engine rotations than in 5th, right?  So if the engine were to turn over from the 'torque' of the wheel, in 1'st it would hit another compression stroke faster than 5th, possibly saving a tip-over.      Now that is being picky. 

Oh, and to answer the question;  When I parked on a fairly steep grade at my old house, I had a piece of wedge-shaped wood that I left against a sign post.  When I came home, I'd park facing uphill, sidestand SLIGHTLY to the downslope (bike leaned over a BIT more).   Kill the engine, 1'st gear engaged, clutch out, roll back until you hit engine compression.  Wheel turned left (and locked in my case), and put the wood wedge behind my back tire.  No problems with this setup.  When leaving for the day, I'd start the bike up, drive uphill a few inches, roll back and kick the wedge back up against the signpost. Took an extra 10 seconds. 

compression ratio transferred to the wheel by the transmission relative to higher gears...
Internal combustion engine... Compression is relative to Torque. If you need, to be able to understand, replace compression with torque.
is that better?

Yep