Towing

When I finish my sidecar installation on my r65, my next project is to build a trailer to tow my canoe.
 
rrumbler05

Jesss , did you have to update your rear shocks befor towing? I know my original rear 2005 shocks seem to bottom out fairly easy.
 
rumbler05 said:
Jesss , did you have to update your rear shocks befor towing? I know my original rear 2005 shocks seem to bottom out fairly easy.
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Sorry I know you put this to Jess
but I have, and did so due to the lack of damping in the rear shocks. Damping is a bigger concern due to the biggest enemy while towing is the rearend of your bike Wallowing from hitting even a mild bump while leant over in a long sweeper, years ago while towing my first trailer this hapened to me, I was riding My ST1100 honda and while I had increased the preload I had left the damping at it's neutrel position middle of the range any way I was going at 120km/h thru a mild long sweeper when I hit a small bump it was enought set of a chain reaction that nearly ended in disaster I was very lucky their were no on coming cars I used the whole two lanes of road to regain control and when I pulled up I was expecting to find a deflating tyre. After a thorugher examinenation and satified there was nothing else but the shock to blame so I tried uping the Damping and I have traveled that road many times since (The road to Philip Island MotoGP track) with out an incident

Just a tip when ordering your shocks first calulate your maximun weight and add the weight you drawbar will put on the bike a good rule of thumb is to allow 20% of your trailers Gross weight in other words not what they tell you it weighs nbuyt buy yor trailer put everything you are going to carry in it and take it to a weight bridge,

THIS IS ESSENTIAL FOR SAFE TOWING, THAT AND CORRECT LOADING KEEPING THE HEAVIER THINGS TO THE FRONT OF TRAILER, follow these two tip and you will have a safe towing experience
 
trailering/shocks

Thanks for the info calculating shock determination . At 250 lbs. I have warn my stock shocks out. I am getting some bottoming out and in hard ,high speed turns I,m not keeping the rear tire always planted to the tar mat.I see that riders have been trying various shocks and will have to read more of these posts .I weld various metals , so I may build an aluminum trailer to carry my bounty. I have noticed that several of the trailer tongues are not parallel to the road. I suppose a step up in the tongue a short distance from the hitch ball is the best fix for that.
 
Yeah I have also notice that while they often look good a lot of the hitches available over there seem to be a fixed height, I don't know if you can get the Classic Industries ones over there but you actually have some height adjust ment on them I have been useing them on a couple of bikes now and never had an issue making sure my trailers ride just slightly nose down (set up level without you on the bike and once you get on they should be just slightly nose down) here is thier website Classic Industries Yandina :: Motorcycle trailer hitch or towbar for Aprilia BMW Bowell Cagiva Can-Am Ducati Harley Davidson Honda Hyosung Kawasaki Moto Guzzi Suzuki Triumph Yamaha Vespa Victory Royal Enfield Piaggio Indian they do make them for overseas market and they are good to deal with
 

Never have changed anything with the shocks but I did lose 157 pounds after I got the bike I guess that made some changes for me I'm still at 300+ I have found a good rule loading the trailer is 60/40 which is 60% in front of axle and 40% behind if you notice it is trying to walk on you just transfer a little more load towards her front normally about 10 pounds it will settle right down also I only run about 25 pounds of air in tires. PS. I noticed you saying something about building a trailer the framework and axle on my aluminum cargo trailer is harbor freight you cannot buy the material for what they sell you the kit for the aluminum on it is 064 diamond plate, I'll hook it up and come your way one day if you want me to you're not but 35 min. away
 
STRIPES said:
I've posted this before but it is always good for a laugh. I was just unhooking after retrieving the HD from the shop.
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This has been one if not THE all time favorite shots!!!!
But - what and where did you get your hitch?
 
smokit2 said:
This has been one if not THE all time favorite shots!!!!
But - what and where did you get your hitch?
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It was custom made by a friend who owns Alien cycle. See aliencycle.com
I also have another picture of the towing event in front of his shop. It is extra heavy duty. I tested it by rolling on the throttle enough to break the DS tire loose and it didn't even flex. I don't need it anymore. Would sell.
 
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