GazW Posted April 12, 2015 Posted April 12, 2015 http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/04/12/70d50f095275d9c9c516b2e9643ed9b4.jpgI've got a cracking deal on this 10 month old shed off ebay today. Went to pick it up this afternoon and its already up in the back yard. Problem is it's only feather edged fence boards on 2x2 batons.I was thinking of reinforcing the roof with more struts out of 3x2, three on each side of the apex, then I'm toying with the idea of lining the inside with steel mesh from those heras frame temporary security fence things. I reckon the wire from three would be enough, fixed to some extra 3x2 batons I'll bolt to the existing uprights, hoping to cover the inside and the roof completely. Then panelling with plywood over the wire mesh.As for the door, I'm going to reinforce the existing frame, then build a door within the frame, I've just ordered some of those hidden hinges, so when the door is closed the hinges won't be accessible, and I was thinking of two of those round padlocked hasp and staple things you see on the back of van doors, one on the top beam and one on the bottom coach bolted through. I know it's never going to be as secure as a permenant building, but I'm going to try my best to make it as hard as possible to get inside. Struggling coming up with something to chain the bike to, cutting a hole in the middle of the floor + concreting a ground anchor in is probably the best bet, but I'm in rented accomodation, and not sure if I can do that. Any ideas? Extra suggestions? Quote
Joeman Posted April 12, 2015 Posted April 12, 2015 If they cant break in, they'll just set it on fire just lining with 12mm ply would make it difficult enough to get in though the sides/roof, dont think you need steel mesh!get a good alarm so it makes loads of noise if anyone tries to get in. Quote
Mr Fro Posted April 12, 2015 Posted April 12, 2015 +1 for Joe's suggestions - didn't someone use one of those shotgun blank things as an "alarm"? Quote
GazW Posted April 12, 2015 Author Posted April 12, 2015 If they cant break in, they'll just set it on fire just lining with 12mm ply would make it difficult enough to get in though the sides/roof, dont think you need steel mesh!get a good alarm so it makes loads of noise if anyone tries to get in. I hope not, pretty close to the house, I'd like to think even thieving twats wouldnt risk burning a house down. Maybe wishful thinking. The only reason I was thinking about the metal is because I could get hold of some pretty cheap, very cheap in fact, my uncle owns a fencing firm, I know he's got a load these that are beyond repair in his yard.He will also be supplying the wood, it's going to be OSB sheet I'll be lining the inside with, reclaimed, so I was thinking even if they kick through the feather edged boards the metal would ensure they couldn't get through the second layer. I was looking at those shed alarms, are the battery powered ones any good? No possibility of wiring to the mains unfortunately. Quote
Mr Fro Posted April 13, 2015 Posted April 13, 2015 I had a Yale battery powered house alarm on my old place (in Margate). It was pretty good. I replaced the batteries in the sounding units every year to be on the safe side but they probably would have lasted a good bit longer.One of the big bonuses was that it was wireless so the sensors around the house would trigger the alarm box on the front of the house and the secondary one I sneakily hid inside the garage yet they both worked from the same remote. Quote
XmisterIS Posted April 13, 2015 Posted April 13, 2015 I presume the shed is in the back garden? In that case, I suggest your best bet is to make the back gates as strong as possible, or if you have none, then hang some!My bike sits uncovered in our car port, beside the house, but where the driveway goes beside the house, I have erected a pair of 7 foot high Z-frame side-hinge gates with a good lock on them. In order to get through the gates, thieves would have to take a sledgehammer or angle-grinder to them in full view of the street. Their other option would be to smash through our 7 foot high and very solid garden fence at the back, walk the full length of the back garden, then get the bike down a set of steps in the middle of the garden, and up another set at the end. Few thieves are that brazen. They'll go for the easy pickings first. Quote
Guest Posted April 13, 2015 Posted April 13, 2015 If the bike is to be kept in the back garden then the best option of all is to be careful that nobody knows.. if they don't know theres a bike there then they're not going to target it.Anyone coming up my drive and taking a peep over the side gate isn't going to see a bike.. to actually see it means climbing over the fence and creeping round the back of the house. then they'll see it. they will also notice some great big patio doors and if they're brave enough to approach that.. then they're very likely to see a dog having fits. Outraged that some stranger has dared invade his territory.Im not worried about my bikes.. not in the slightest.what i do watch for is anyone following me as I turn into my road.. more than once have i ridden past my house because some car happened to turn in behind me.. I just carried on and every time saw the car pull over and the people get out because they were 'just visiting' did a loop round and had the bike in through the gate.. and the gate shut within seconds.paranoid? not really.. I just make sure nobody knows that there are two bikes sitting on my patio. and if they don't know they're there then they can't nick em.there is nothing that will stop the determined professional. nothing. but these aren't the types we should really be worried about.. its the casual thief, the opportunist. you don't have to do much to put them off.. there will always be something easier for them to go after. easier and safer. Quote
Joeman Posted April 13, 2015 Posted April 13, 2015 The more secure you make it look, the more it looks like you're hiding something worth nicking!Stealth is your best weapon. Keep the bike out of sight and as the post above says, be vigilent of people following or taking interest.I have a host of security measures but nothing visible that makes my garage look unusually secure...And I live is a very low risk area - I'm just paranoid lol! Quote
GazW Posted April 13, 2015 Author Posted April 13, 2015 I presume the shed is in the back garden? In that case, I suggest your best bet is to make the back gates as strong as possible, or if you have none, then hang some!My bike sits uncovered in our car port, beside the house, but where the driveway goes beside the house, I have erected a pair of 7 foot high Z-frame side-hinge gates with a good lock on them. In order to get through the gates, thieves would have to take a sledgehammer or angle-grinder to them in full view of the street. Their other option would be to smash through our 7 foot high and very solid garden fence at the back, walk the full length of the back garden, then get the bike down a set of steps in the middle of the garden, and up another set at the end. Few thieves are that brazen. They'll go for the easy pickings first. Got a back gate hung off a brick wall with a padbolt top + bottom, but I park the works van in front of the back gate, so if they wanted it at night then they would have to get in the shed when it's fortified then ride over the van or smash the window and handbrake off job. I know it's never going to be unnickable, I just want to make it as hard as possible. Quote
GazW Posted April 13, 2015 Author Posted April 13, 2015 The more secure you make it look, the more it looks like you're hiding something worth nicking!Stealth is your best weapon. Keep the bike out of sight and as the post above says, be vigilent of people following or taking interest.I have a host of security measures but nothing visible that makes my garage look unusually secure...And I live is a very low risk area - I'm just paranoid lol! I did think of this, that's why I'm trying to do everything on the inside of the shed, barring the two locks I'm planning on fitting it should look pretty much the same from the outside. Quote
Merlin Posted April 13, 2015 Posted April 13, 2015 I know you don't want to make the shed look "abnormal" from the outside, but a security light might be an idea. No thief is going to want to nick something in full view of neighbours/if you are alerted by the security light coming on. If you didn't want to attach it to the shed, you could attach it to the house and point it to the shed. I am sure the landlord wouldn't object to this security measure. They are dead easy to fit. I have fitted a few at my house and I'm a girl! Putting a couple of heavy duty chains on the bike in the shed would act as a deterrent. You could bolt something to the shed floor, or just fix the chain to the bike. I have my marauder just chained in the garage. If anyone did happen to get in past your security measures, they might give up if they had to crack a couple of chains.... Unfortunately, if someone is determined enough, they will nick your stuff whatever you do. There have been a couple of bikes nicked from locked garages round here recently, and a friend of mine has had 2 Harleys pinched from their garage in the past few years, in a "nice" village about 10 miles from me. Unfortunately its the world we live in..... Quote
Guest Posted April 13, 2015 Posted April 13, 2015 just use a spicy110 style motorbike alarm..grenade wired to the handlebars, so when the bike is lifted, the grenade pin gets pulled out It will most definately destroy your bike, but atleast noone nicks it Quote
RantMachine Posted April 14, 2015 Posted April 14, 2015 I keep talking about bike security options for the new house (no more garage ) and my other half is baffled by it all - apparently bike theft isn't nearly such a big issue in the states. Which got me thinking, is it more commonplace in the UK than in other developed countries? Given the sheer dedication of the local police, it wouldn't come as a surprise.Best idea I've had so far for mine is to get a ruddy great chain and chain it to the tree in the back garden, looping the chain above a couple of the branches so that it's off the ground. Or to take my 22" bar to the bolts securing the fold-down bollard in our parking space round the back of the house and get a DIY ground anchor made up that fits in its place. Although that might just be a bit too much effort for a beaten up old GS500 and an F650GS that would be better off stolen Quote
Fozzie Posted April 14, 2015 Posted April 14, 2015 I keep talking about bike security options for the new house (no more garage ) and my other half is baffled by it all - apparently bike theft isn't nearly such a big issue in the states. Which got me thinking, is it more commonplace in the UK than in other developed countries? Given the sheer dedication of the local police, it wouldn't come as a surprise. http://www.ridermagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/web-Redverz-Series-II-Expedition-Tent.jpgChain it all up, get a bike tent as above, maybe put a cheap alarm unit on the bike that sounds off with movement and can be removed from the bike and left at home. Then a little battery powered light dimly lights the inside of the tent at night, that way if a thief gets into the back garden or even just looks, they think the risk isn't worth it as someone is living in the back garden within a few feet of the bike they want to steal.A little flashing red light on the bike that is visible will also make them think there is an alarm, and they might not be so keen to try it. Quote
RantMachine Posted April 14, 2015 Posted April 14, 2015 I like the idea, and I have toyed with the idea of getting a bike tent in the past, but seeing as they start around £140 it'd probably just be cheaper to let someone nick it and have a slightly higher premium on the new not-so-unreliable bike bought with the insurance payout Quote
Fozzie Posted April 14, 2015 Posted April 14, 2015 Nah you want to keep it long enough someone rams you and creates a no-fault incident, then buy an MT09 with the injury pay out A theft really hurts insurance, but a non-theft accident barely affects anything. I know this from unfortunately having both inside a year Quote
RantMachine Posted April 14, 2015 Posted April 14, 2015 Sound plan, but I would like to try and keep to one collision per year Quote
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