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  • #1

    weight distribution

    does anyone know a good safe range for weight behind the rear tire?

    I have a home-made luggage rack that sticks about 2 feet back behind the rear axle. I had a lot of stuff on there last year with no problem - and this year I am thinking about mounting an auxillary gas tank underneath of it. this would add about 35 pounds directly behind the rear tire in addition to about 20 lbs of cargo.

    so I am going to say 70 lbs - with part of that hanging up to 2.5 feet behind the rear axle. Does anyone think this would be a problem?

    I am also hoping to acquire some BIG saddlebags but they will be positioned right at the rear axle, so that should not be an issue.



    (i am going for an xtra 150 miles range which will get me to approx 225 miles before i have to start looking for gas)
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  • #2
    Hey there Beech,

    I would think that it would depend on whether you will be doing any 2 up riding, or if you'll be solo! IF solo, then that weight shouldn't be a problem considering another person could easily be 150+lbs back there at least over the back tire!!

    I know when I've ridden with a passenger, it makes it even easier to wheelie, so with some weight out beyond/behind the back tire, you're going to get even more leverage from the same amount of weight.

    I don't know any physics formulas for calculating affect of certain amount of weight certain distance beyond the fulcrum(back wheel axle) vs. weight directly over it, as well as how much leverage the weight of the engine/frame/front wheel/driver has sitting in front of the rear axle....and also accounting for inertia and transference of weight towards back tire/axle during accelleration, etc.!? Any geometry/physics majors out there want to chime in!?
    T.C.
    T. C. Gresham
    81SH "Godzilla" . . .1179cc super-rat.
    79SF "The Teacher" . . .basket case!
    History shows again and again,
    How nature points out the folly of men!

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    • #3
      My rack/trunk sticks out quite a ways behind the rear wheel too. My main concern is all that weight is pivoting (I hope not) at the frame @ the rear shock mounts. That is the last braced part of the frame. I'm considering making some braces that go from mid-rack/trunk down to the saddlebag mounting plates to 'shore-up' the trunk.
      Too many stories of the frame breaking/bending at the shock mounts.
      Pat Kelly
      <p-lkelly@sbcglobal.net>

      1978 XS1100E (The Force)
      1980 XS1100LG (The Dark Side)
      2007 Dodge Ram 2500 quad-cab long-bed (Wifes ride)
      1999 Suburban (The Ship)
      1994 Dodge Spirit (Son #1)
      1968 F100 (Valentine)

      "No one is totally useless. They can always be used as a bad example"

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      • #4
        70 X 2 = 140 ft lbs. I'll ask Bob Jones when I see him tomorrow. He should know if it's safe or not. I think that I would limit to about 50lbs on a luggage rack but will let you know tomorrow.
        "We are often so caught up in our destination that we forget to appreciate the journey." "

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        • #5
          Talked to Bob Jones today and he said that he didn't think it was safe. He said to limit it to 30 lbs or so.
          "We are often so caught up in our destination that we forget to appreciate the journey." "

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