New Trailer Concept

[Mandel]

This compact system is appealing, but I wonder how it affects the tow vehicle's handling. I use my car to tow. But then again, hauling a trailer and a bike is no joyride either.

I'd also be concerned about rear tread wear. Anybody have experience to share?

http://www.sportutilitytrailers.com/Magneta/RHMC1.htm

Mandel

[ChipSTer]

Last I checked, my ST1300 exceeded the recommended weight for this towing outfit... :22yikes: AND I would be concerned about rear tire wear also...
:cool:

[Mandel]

You're right about the weight, but just by a bit. I doubt the few extra pounds really matter.

Mandel

[Rob Hephner]

I would be more worried about the angle that you would be towing the bike.

Could be a good way to tear up the rear shock and spring.

[squirrel Hunter]

I have something similar to this I used in the mid-'70s to hall my old dirt and chain driven street bikes. You have to remove the chain or you will damage the transmission from lack of lubrication. I haven't used it since I got shafted in 84:D

[UNTMatt]

+1 to Robs post.

My concern is the stress to the front forks by pulling the bike around via the front wheel.

If you forget to put the bike in neutral before you take off...:eek:

[Blrfl]

+2. Also note that the final drive was designed to be driven (for the most part) from the drive shaft end, not the wheel.

--Mark

[LeeWonnacott]

Nothing new about this type of tow device. I had and used one in the EARLY 1970's for towing my Ducati 350. Went as far as 1,000 miles with no big problem. Yes, removed the chain, tire wear wasn't increased much because there is not much weight on it while being towed.

As fas as the ST shaft drives being towed .. no can do. Read your owners manual. It advises not to run far down the road coasting/in neutral. I assumed when I read this that they were actually advising against towing with a rope or using a device like this. The mechanically inclined guys can probably explain why this is . . . but I think the Honda engineers are worried about proper lube and temps along the drive shaft?

[gene]

I think someone needs to design a similar thing that you can ramp the rear wheel into so you can tow the shaft drives also ?

[Trekker]

Lee is very right! Shaft drive bikes should never be towed like this. Technically speaking.... it messes up the inner bits.

[Lou65]

I had something custom made like that in the 70's to
tow my Yamaha 360 from Tampa to B'ham...worked fine
but the 550 mile trip chewed up my knobby.

Didn't cradle the front tire, took it off and bolted front end
to axle welded into hitch....

that was an exciting bike...

[dreddd2000]

Lee is very right! Shaft drive bikes should never be towed like this. Technically speaking.... it messes up the inner bits.

I love it when engineers get all engineery. :crackup

[Gonzo]

I would be willing to bet that Honda says don't tow because the driving surfaces of the gears are hardened but the other sides of the gear teeth are not.

That would make the soft side wear down very fast and leave lots of metal dust/shavings in the gear housing.

In the '60's we used to make a trailer hitch with a horizontal bar welded on and the forks were bolted on just like they were on an actual axle. With the chain removed and the lights hooked up, it worked very well.

gonzo

[Trekker]

I love it when engineers get all engineery. :crackup

The spramet sprocket is insufficiently tri-quasi plasticised with an inverse softness quotient.... thus negating any positive lubricity of the 1/8th drive shaft oil.

THAT'S why you shouldn't tow your shaft bike this way! ;)

[ConqSoft]

You're right about the weight, but just by a bit. I doubt the few extra pounds really matter.

Mandel

Have you actually weighed your ST? :) It's WAY over 700lbs.

[DragonBreath]

It's WAY over 700lbs.

But how often is ALL of that on the front wheel? :doh1:

I dare say that with the front wheel lifted like that, there is probably not over 300 pounds of downforce at the axle.
Just keep in mind that the axle wll be considerably farther back than a trailer coupler, so there is a LOT of leverage involved, too. :shock:

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