Towing a trailer with a motorbike.

[McDuck]

Yo. Anybody here tow a small trailer with a motorbike? It would be cool to have (for me) so i can do music things on the bike :2thumbsup: and generally carry enough stuff for two people (when i have a full) so who dose it? What kind of connection do you need? And rules re building etc?
Thanks

[Taz]

Here's an Idea.......

[Matt_TG]

Hoy Roller (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/member.php?u=895) has a trailer I think...

Edit... Here's a pic ... (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=79054&d=1196739249) actually you were on the ride that the pic was taken lol.

[EJK]

Something like this?

[McDuck]

Yes i did know Holy Roller has one, also if there are others out there :yes:

[Daffyd]

Google "uni-go"

[McDuck]

Google "uni-go"

I need bigger than that. Hard i know. I would not mind having a 'cut down' normal trailer but i will not have a massive gold wing or similar to tow it with. Would ultimately like to tow it with the 650 when it is on the road. This will mean a trailer that is lighter than about 110kg all up and can fit a cello in. Should be fun. :rolleyes:

[McDuck]

BTW i will need to be able to fit a cello in it :)

[sunhuntin]

lots of people tow trailers. my partner uses one [that he built] for filling his lpg cylinders for the winter. ive also seen a goldwing with one, holy rollers etc. some ive heard even have those pop up tents attached to the "lid", so when the hydralics on the lid go up, you can hook a tent and have a home away from home. [google canadian pop up tent for an idea. they have car trailers with them as well... its like a flat caravan, and when you wind it, it rises to full size.

[Daffyd]

Forgive me, but I'm having some trouble reconciling a Katana and a cello!

[Daffyd]

You would have to be very careful about weight.

[McDuck]

You would have to be very careful about weight.

I know that. This would not be for the 250, but the 650 which is 200 odd kg (i think). A cello is about 15kg BTW, bugger all really.

[xwhatsit]

BTW i will need to be able to fit a cello in it :)

Get a cello outfit which has shoulder straps, so you can carry it on your back. Hell, I've taken a double bass on my bike (just don't go under any low bridges :lol:). Some outfits are more suitable than others (hard case ones are no good), because some sort of hang the body of the cello down below your arse, so you might have to have a hunt around to find the right sort. But hell, it's only a cello, they're not very big (well compared with a double bass anyway :laugh:).

[Subike]

I need bigger than that. Hard i know. I would not mind having a 'cut down' normal trailer but i will not have a massive gold wing or similar to tow it with. Would ultimately like to tow it with the 650 when it is on the road. This will mean a trailer that is lighter than about 110kg all up and can fit a cello in. Should be fun. :rolleyes:


Something the size of a plastic 220liter drum on 10" wheels that could be used as a bike trailer when drum is removed?

[McDuck]

So the dry mass is 218 so we can go up to about 120 kg total of balanced trailer. Sounds a bit stupid on a sports bike tho...

[James Deuce]

The speed limit in NZ for a Motorcycle towing a trailer is ridiculous. There was a chap here about 5 years ago, touring the world. He was ticketed an obscene number of times for exceeding the daft speed limit, despite doing more kms in the last 2 weeks than the most of us do in a year.

http://www.legislation.govt.nz/libraries/contents/om_isapi.dll?clientID=97407&infobase=pal_regs.nfo&jd=r1998-441%2Fs.4&record=%7B2E155%7D&softpage=DOC

(3)A driver must not drive on a road at a speed exceeding 40 km per hour any cycle, moped, motorcycle, or all terrain vehicle that is being used to tow a trailer that, together with its load, exceeds 50% of the unladen weight of the cycle, moped, motorcycle, or all terrain vehicle.

[McDuck]

Something the size of a plastic 220liter drum on 10" wheels that could be used as a bike trailer when drum is removed?

Yes. My other idea is to build a chassis and wheels for one of these http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Car-parts-accessories/Roof-racks-bull-bars/auction-130403783.htm

[McDuck]

The speed limit in NZ for a Motorcycle towing a trailer is ridiculous. There was a chap here about 5 years ago, touring the world. He was ticketed an obscene number of times for exceeding the daft speed limit, despite doing more kms in the last 2 weeks than the most of us do in a year.

http://www.legislation.govt.nz/libraries/contents/om_isapi.dll?clientID=97407&infobase=pal_regs.nfo&jd=r1998-441%2Fs.4&record=%7B2E155%7D&softpage=DOC

(3)A driver must not drive on a road at a speed exceeding 40 km per hour any cycle, moped, motorcycle, or all terrain vehicle that is being used to tow a trailer that, together with its load, exceeds 50% of the unladen weight of the cycle, moped, motorcycle, or all terrain vehicle.

Hence why i am budgetting for under half its weight.

[James Deuce]

However the reality is that you get ticketed for exceeding 40km/hr and then the burden of proof is upon thee. Bear in mind that the speed limit when towing is 90km/hr too. I reckon it's more trouble than it's worth because there is a bunch of stuff that needs to be done to the tow bike and the trailers are fairly specialised (read: expensive).

I have a friend in the UK who carries Guitars on a modified rack so that they don't exceed height and overhang regulations. He has a CBF600 with the rear seat squab removed and a case with clips added to clip on to the rack. I have a picture somewhere. If I find it I'll post it.

[James Deuce]

In fact, the 650 Katana is an ideal candidate for a sidecar.

You'll get more chicks with a sidecar as well.

The Earles forks conversion and sidecar probably cost about the same a decent trailer setup too.

[McDuck]

In fact, the 650 Katana is an ideal candidate for a sidecar.

You'll get more chicks with a sidecar as well.

The Earles forks conversion and sidecar probably cost about the same a decent trailer setup too.

Got any links? How hard is it to take the said side car off when you want to have some fun?

[James Deuce]

Got any links? How hard is it to take the said side car off when you want to have some fun?
Depends on what you buy really, but there is no reason why you can't remove the chair and put the standard forks back on.

Links?

One moment please.....

[James Deuce]

http://www.sidecars.org.uk/

http://www.premiersidecars.com.au/

They're probably to the two most relevant sites - they drive on the same side of the road as us you see.

Personally, I'd buy a Ural.

http://www.ural.com/

Nothing wrong with 1930s German technology, and they look great with an MG38 mounted on the sidechair coaming.

[McDuck]

http://www.sidecars.org.uk/

http://www.premiersidecars.com.au/

They're probably to the two most relevant sites - they drive on the same side of the road as us you see.

Personally, I'd buy a Ural.

http://www.ural.com/

Nothing wrong with 1930s German technology, and they look great with an MG38 mounted on the sidechair coaming.

Did you see the price on some of those? Fark.

[deanohit]

Yes. My other idea is to build a chassis and wheels for one of these http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Car-parts-accessories/Roof-racks-bull-bars/auction-130403783.htm

Thats the best idea yet, I was going to suggest something similer, but that top box is the better idea, a simple aluminium tube frame supporting it would be sufficent for the light loads your wanting to carry. :niceone:

[James Deuce]

Did you see the price on some of those? Fark.

Yes. How much do you think the trailer hitch, wiring loom and braked trailer will cost? A non-braked trailer is a bad idea on bike.

[R6_kid]

get a car
10 chars

[James Deuce]

Everyone's got one of those!

[sunhuntin]

i dont..............

[James Deuce]

Neither do I, but you know what I was saying!

[sunhuntin]

of course, james2 :rolleyes:

[Daffyd]

[QUOTE=Jim2;1339896

They're probably to the two most relevant sites - they drive on the same side of the road as us you see.

[/QUOTE]

Would that be a big thing? In my view it wouldn't be as 'undesirable' as a LHD car. What would be the disadvantages?

[James Deuce]

Would that be a big thing? In my view it wouldn't be as 'undesirable' as a LHD car. What would be the disadvantages?

Last time I looked, the side chair had to be on the left of the motorcycle in NZ, which of course removes the option for a driven chair, a la Ural's ATV offerings. Personally I would rather have the chair on the left than the right given the the only vague acknowledgment the centre line is given in NZ. I might suck a kumara, but whomever is in the chair would have a slightly better chance of avoiding the oncoming grill.

[Daffyd]

Good point, but if only carting goods, (cellos, camping gear, etc)....
Personally, I prefer the top box idea.

[James Deuce]

The Cello is probably more precious to Mcduck5n than any human cargo he could possibly carry.

The latest revision of the Act (2004) doesn't mention which side the chair has to go on. Maybe there is hope for my two-wheel drive Ural afterall. With cowl mounted MG38 of course.

[jrandom]

MG38

Don't you mean MG34?

[deanohit]

Don't you mean MG34?

I think he just means a big gun, any big gun would look cool!

[James Deuce]

Nope. Can't get an Airsoft MG34 or MG42 replica, but I can get a Browning aircooled MG38.

[Reckless]

Got any links? How hard is it to take the said side car off when you want to have some fun?


The Cello is probably more precious to Mcduck5n than any human cargo he could possibly carry.

Given to two quotes above it seems to be a bit of a silly idea to me. Safety(for the Cello) and cost (you could fill the cage quite a few times before you equal the cost of setting this up)would rule it out in my book.

But if you had to go with it! Why not make a fibre glass mold of a real cello case, put wheels on it, a tow fitting at the head, paint a cello on it and make it look like your towing a cello. Now that would be novel!

[jrandom]

... I can get a Browning aircooled MG38.

Ah, the Colt commercial version of the Browning M1917. I had to look that one up.

If that's the direction you want to go in, surely you'd rather have a Maxim replica, though?

Personally, I think aircooled MGs look cooler.

[imdying]

I rode an XJ400 Custom with one, probably when I was about 17... it was actually really good (shit, even the XJ was run to ride). Was a smallish box trailer made of metal, about 10" wheels I'd guess... hitch on the back of the bike attached much the same as a pack rack, worked a treat. Wouldn't hold a cello though!

[James Deuce]

Given to two quotes above it seems to be a bit of a silly idea to me. Safety(for the Cello) and cost (you could fill the cage quite a few times before you equal the cost of setting this up)would rule it out in my book.

But if you had to go with it! Why not make a fibre glass mold of a real cello case, put wheels on it, a tow fitting at the head, paint a cello on it and make it look like your towing a cello. Now that would be novel!

You need to change your user name. You're not reckless at all. Some things are worth doing because they are, not because they're sensible. In fact most insensible things are worth doing.

[mstriumph]

we were toying with the idea of attaching a sidecar to big blue so we could take the pup out [he's now the size of a smallish house and still growing .....] but it'd have to be easily detachable --- cause the point of a bike is STILL not really consistent with towing stuff

whoever said get some straps and wear it as a backpack - i'd prolly go with that in your situation - less probs and expense all round..........



*wanders off to see if she can fit backpack straps to the pup .....*

[James Deuce]

Ah, the Colt commercial version of the Browning M1917. I had to look that one up.

If that's the direction you want to go in, surely you'd rather have a Maxim replica, though?

Personally, I think aircooled MGs look cooler.

There is an air-cooled version of the MG38. It looks vaguely like a cross between an MG34 and the .30 Browning MG. It has a wooden stock which means it looks less like a block and a tube.

[Holy Roller]

Yo. Anybody here tow a small trailer with a motorbike? It would be cool to have (for me) so i can do music things on the bike :2thumbsup: and generally carry enough stuff for two people (when i have a full) so who dose it? What kind of connection do you need? And rules re building etc?
Thanks

A normal tow ball and either a swivel hitch on the trailer or just your bog standard hitch.
Rules.... Tow bar on a bike is an accessory so no certification is required yet same as a side car.

My trailer was a 6X4 car trailer that I cut down to a suitable size.
My bike is 340kg so max towable weight at 90kph would be 170kg loaded
I had a swivel hitch made but this introduced too much sway into the trailer so I had it welded up and now its sweet. Just have to watch the entry speeds on those tighter corners as the tow hitch only has so much movement on the ball:baby:

One certainly knows how good the roads are when towing a trailer. No worries about donating to the governmental coffers speeds have to be safe.

Next project is to build a single wheel trailer at some later date. I have a design for a trailer that would suit your cello and luggage needs the pix is with a hard golf case. Basic trailer would not be all that hard to build for someone with the right skills.

[Subike]

If thats big enough for a golf bag, than I could pack a weeks survival gear into a golf bag, including some beers in the side pockets
What a simple idea, well worth looking at.
mmmmmmmmmm.
""Now wheres my welder and that spare wheel barrow axle""

[musicman]

Why not make a fibre glass mold of a real cello case, put wheels on it, a tow fitting at the head, paint a cello on it and make it look like your towing a cello. Now that would be novel!

Hahaha that sounds great! It'd be so cool to see something like that...

But anyway, in response to the OT, I don't know how valuable your cello is, but IMHO having a cello being towed behind a bike is pretty risky... All it would take is a cage driver to do something silly and bye bye cello :violin:

[sunhuntin]

another thought... many cagers dont expect anything be behind a motorbike, and may pull out on top of it. i have those same thoughts with cyclists that have those trailers with their kids inside... im amazed theres been no reports of one being hit yet.

[McDuck]

Hahaha that sounds great! It'd be so cool to see something like that...

But anyway, in response to the OT, I don't know how valuable your cello is, but IMHO having a cello being towed behind a bike is pretty risky... All it would take is a cage driver to do something silly and bye bye cello :violin:

I think i would do a fair few trips with the old cello... Besides it is insured and if there is a crash bad enough to destroy the cello i am a little more worried about me? (I am liking the long term idea of a side car tho)