Long Trips

[old_skool]

I find these kinda neat, I know Gold-wangers have been doing it for quite some time now, but I'll be taking a lot of long trips between Oh and Wv when my bike is done, may even do a little camping. I think after the bike is done, I'm going to build a trailer similar to this one. I want it to look a little retro like the bike as well, probably paint it some kind of Yamaha colors to match the bike. It will be my spring project as long as the bikes finished by then. They sell those small axles even with leaf springs at tractor supply, some light angle iron, plywood and fiberglass should do the job, it won't have to haul great amounts of weight, who knows, might find a real cheap one for sale before then. Here's some pics of what I'm thinking and for sale on craigs(but I'm not spending that on a used one I can make)
http://cleveland.craigslist.org/mcy/2732949272.html

[Lonerider62]

Trailers?

Although I don't think it's safe to pull any trailer with any motorcycle, that trailer would be hard to duplicate for $750. By the time you collect your axle, springs, frame material, hitch material, lights and wiring, wheels and good tires, and fianlly your fiberglass I think you'll have a pretty pricey project. I know a lot of people do trailer their stuff, but I try to take only secondary roads on my trips becase the superslab is so boreing and too many of those can be pretty rough for towing. To each his own I guess.

[crazy steve]

I pulled a trailer behind mine for years and with one exception, never had any issues with it. Main thing is to don't get carried away with weight; try very hard to keep total weight (bike/passengers/trailer/load) at or below the rated gross vehicle weight (about 1100 lbs). For a fuller discussion of towing, look here: http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...towing+trailer

[CatatonicBug]

My neighbor had a trailer that he built that looked very much like the one in that picture. Even had the spot to hold the cooler on the tongue. He towed it behind his HD Ultraglide. On it's maiden voyage, someone stopped too quick in front of him and the entire trailer lifted up off the ground, the tongue BENT and the trailer swung around the side of the bike and swatted him off the saddle. I think I'll just use the Vetter luggage...

[crazy steve]

Too much weight up too high.... that's how trailers got their bad reputation...

[old_skool]

I plan on keeping it light, and after hearing/reading some dos and don't, I might experiment with a little innovation and try to lower the center of gravity close to that of the bike. I don't plan on carrying a lot of weight, but I want to be able to ride without all the luggage when I get where I'm going without all the hassle of removing it and maintain the looks of the bike as well. Bikes have been pulling trailers for a long time now, I know it's not for everyone, I plan on being safe about the whole thing just the same, but not going to live in a bubble either, if that were the case, I wouldn't even have a bike. Id still probably be safer pulling three time the allotted weight in a gail force storm at 80 mph than most crotch rockets going around the block of a deserted town.

[old_skool]

I pulled a trailer behind mine for years and with one exception, never had any issues with it. Main thing is to don't get carried away with weight; try very hard to keep total weight (bike/passengers/trailer/load) at or below the rated gross vehicle weight (about 1100 lbs). For a fuller discussion of towing, look here: http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...towing+trailer

Thanks Steve, after reading some good info and ideas, I might even attempt a custom braking system also, using some light wieght components used on atv"s. And a swivel hitch is a must. Well it will be interesting to say the least. First the bike, the trailer will my spring project.

[crazy steve]

.. And a swivel hitch is a must...

I ran a conventional ball hitch, which simplifies construction a bunch. Look for a light-duty class-1 ball, as they have a smaller-diameter shank for more 'lean angle'. I never had any issues with binding, even in the twisties...

[old_skool]

Thanks, that will save on money and I'll take previous experience anyday. Are addition lights required on these little guys or just reflectors and plates?

[crazy steve]

... Are additional lights required on these little guys or just reflectors and plates?

That varies from state to state, so you'll have to check your local laws. Here, you're required to have brake/turn/tail lights (as well as a license plate), so the wiring was very interesting. I bought my trailer with the bike (both new in '78) and the dealer didn't know anything about the electrical system or how to hook up the lights. I finally got it to work, but lost the self-cancel feature. With modern LED lights and Cy's flasher mod, that doesn't have to be the case now.

I used my trailer regularly (for my work commute a lot; work clothes, lunchbox, and work toolbox. Nice to just toss the stuff into the box..) up until my '85 crash (unrelated to the trailer), as long as you kept the total weight down, you usually couldn't tell it was behind you. My trailer weighed less than 100 lbs, and if I kept total weight (trailer+load) under 160 lbs, it towed great.

[crazy steve]

I've still got pics of the hitch I built, so if you're interested PM me...

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Cool

Hey, I think it is cool that you will be able to take long trips on your bike and have what you need with you. Good luck with that, and I know you will try to build a safe rigg. Can't tell you how many times I wished I had that kind of room Had to take the cage But it is a nice cage

I plan on keeping it light, and after hearing/reading some dos and don't, I might experiment with a little innovation and try to lower the center of gravity close to that of the bike. I don't plan on carrying a lot of weight, but I want to be able to ride without all the luggage when I get where I'm going without all the hassle of removing it and maintain the looks of the bike as well. Bikes have been pulling trailers for a long time now, I know it's not for everyone, I plan on being safe about the whole thing just the same, but not going to live in a bubble either, if that were the case, I wouldn't even have a bike. Id still probably be safer pulling three time the allotted weight in a gail force storm at 80 mph than most crotch rockets going around the block of a deserted town.

[fredintoon]

Hi Old Skool,
g'wan, hang a sidecar on it, you know you want to.
But enough with the propaganda.
If $750 is too much (and Gawd! you'd have to fizz over the girlie pink paint job too) think about a used boat trailer wedded to a used car top luggage carrier.
Careful shopping could find those items for $100 or so.

[old_skool]

First of all, I want to thank everyone for their opinions and knowledge in this area as I don't plan on this undertaking lightly for safety reasons. Please continue to share your experience dos and don'ts. As far as the cheap boat trailer, still might be on the too heavy side even if cut it down. Probably going to have to make the frame to ensure strength and that it will be lightweight. The car carrier or pre molded type of carrier may be the way to go for both strength and durability, it should also be lighter and more aerodynamic than anything made as well. During the winter months I'll be keeping my eye out on craigs for some bargains, but right now, any extra toy money goes into the bike.

p.s. no sidecar lol

[crazy steve]

The trailer frame doesn't need to be too much; mine consisted of a 2" square tube (.080" wall? No more than that, I'm sure) tongue, with a 2"x2"x1/8" angle perimeter frame under the box welded to it. You should have about 34-36" of tongue in front of the box. Bolt the box and springs to that, and instant trailer...