imported post
Hi,
No springs or shocks on the trailer? Won't that be a bit bouncy and all over the place?
Tim.
Hi,
No springs or shocks on the trailer? Won't that be a bit bouncy and all over the place?
Tim.
GL1200 building receiver hitch from scratch
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Mr Magic Fingers wrote:
I thought a lot about springs and between the extra weight, thelittle advantage they have, and this production trailer (www.trailerinabag.com) that doesn't have them; I decided to try it without.
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The trade-off is comfort vs. weight (in my eyes). If I find that springs are neccessary, I'll add them later. I'm hoping that I don't have to.
-kevin
Mr Magic Fingers wrote:
I guess I'll find out soon!
I thought a lot about springs and between the extra weight, thelittle advantage they have, and this production trailer (www.trailerinabag.com) that doesn't have them; I decided to try it without.
The trade-off is comfort vs. weight (in my eyes). If I find that springs are neccessary, I'll add them later. I'm hoping that I don't have to.
-kevin
3
imported post
Well, I didn't get to go to Seattle today, but I got the trailer done (except fenders) and took it for a test ride with bike loaded. it worked great. You can feel it there, but it's a cinch to pull. For comparison; I recently took my father-in-law Pete for a ride, he's 225lbs. I would say that the trailer has about 25% of the adverse effect compared to riding with Pete in the passenger seat.
After I took these pictures I made an adjustable axle mounting system (to correct tongue weight for different bikes) and I painted it white. I was thinking about powder coating it, but I have about $100 into the trailer so far, and $200-250 for paint doesn't seem justified. The rattle can is cheap, and touch-ups are easy.
I'm also going to hide the wires inside the frame, secure the safety chain to the coupler bolts, and add the fenders.
-kevin
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Well, I didn't get to go to Seattle today, but I got the trailer done (except fenders) and took it for a test ride with bike loaded. it worked great. You can feel it there, but it's a cinch to pull. For comparison; I recently took my father-in-law Pete for a ride, he's 225lbs. I would say that the trailer has about 25% of the adverse effect compared to riding with Pete in the passenger seat.
After I took these pictures I made an adjustable axle mounting system (to correct tongue weight for different bikes) and I painted it white. I was thinking about powder coating it, but I have about $100 into the trailer so far, and $200-250 for paint doesn't seem justified. The rattle can is cheap, and touch-ups are easy.
I'm also going to hide the wires inside the frame, secure the safety chain to the coupler bolts, and add the fenders.
-kevin
imported post
That's great. Now all you have to do is build a hitch for the KTM so you can pull the 'Wing around off-road.
That's great. Now all you have to do is build a hitch for the KTM so you can pull the 'Wing around off-road.
3
imported post
Took her for the maiden voyage yesterday. I haven't ridden this bike more than just for in town jaunts, so this was a test of the bike, the receiver, the trailer, a new helmet, and new tires.
I only had one problem. On the way up the rear tire was rubbing the cross member of the receiver at 71mph and up. I just stayed at 65-69 after some attempted roadside adjustments. The new tires I put on (Chinko- $129 delivered) were a different profile than the 1994 tires that were on the bike when I built the receiver. I had over an inch of space, and it was reduced to about 3/8" with the new tire. Once I was in the pits at the track in Seattle I had access to a drill and I fixed the problem for now. I might have to do a slight re-design on the receiver for the future.
Other than that it was clear sailing. I averaged about 36mpg. 65-70mph on the way up, and 70-80 on the way back.
Oh, and in the last picture is details about the adjustable rear axle. Since you can't really change the CG of the bike, I thought the easiest way would be to adjust the axle position. (to adjust tongue weight).
-Kevin
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Took her for the maiden voyage yesterday. I haven't ridden this bike more than just for in town jaunts, so this was a test of the bike, the receiver, the trailer, a new helmet, and new tires.
I only had one problem. On the way up the rear tire was rubbing the cross member of the receiver at 71mph and up. I just stayed at 65-69 after some attempted roadside adjustments. The new tires I put on (Chinko- $129 delivered) were a different profile than the 1994 tires that were on the bike when I built the receiver. I had over an inch of space, and it was reduced to about 3/8" with the new tire. Once I was in the pits at the track in Seattle I had access to a drill and I fixed the problem for now. I might have to do a slight re-design on the receiver for the future.
Other than that it was clear sailing. I averaged about 36mpg. 65-70mph on the way up, and 70-80 on the way back.
Oh, and in the last picture is details about the adjustable rear axle. Since you can't really change the CG of the bike, I thought the easiest way would be to adjust the axle position. (to adjust tongue weight).
-Kevin
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