Dual Sport Trailer assembly thread

[thatboatguy]

That's a nice trailer Pitster,

I wish I had a motorcycle bone yard to pick from but I have to deal with what I have on hand. I'm also building a trailer for a little different purpose than most do. Mine has to fit my glider and all my flying gear as well as keep it out of the weather.

Here's my progress so far today.



I had a couple of lifeline stanchions that make good forks. I have 3/8 bolts to hold them during construction but will go with straight pins and ringdings for the completed trailer. Maybe pip pins later if I can find some.



A mountain bike head set. Unfortunately the frame part of this is aluminum but I have a plan to deal with that.



Here's the "hitch" part of this deal.



Yes, that's a binnacle instrument pod mount from a boat... your point? heh heh

Once I get the tire and shock arrangement worked out I'll put a bolt right down through that aluminum part to lock that cross frame in place.

OK, back out to work some more.

George

[MrBracket]

I love seeing this explosion of trailers!! I do hope pulling a trailer with a dual sport becomes less "odd"

Great to see all the different builds. We all have different goals in what we'd like to carry. Just as long as we get to get out there and enjoy ourselves that's what it's all about!!

Took my trailer out for some fun this last weekend:

[DakarNick]

I have new pics but webshots is going defunct and going to a new site do uploading is a no-go for now. I'll get some more done, take a few more pics, and maybe someone can host them for me?

[rw4x4van]

Originally Posted by DakarNick

I have new pics but webshots is going defunct and going to a new site do uploading is a no-go for now. I'll get some more done, take a few more pics, and maybe someone can host them for me?

Post them over in photobucket for now photobucket.com
..and there is always smugmug.com we have "in" there

[thatboatguy]

Swing arm and stub axle with "shock" (really just a coil spring).



Wheel and tire. I'll tow it around the block a few times before I install the box and see how it does tomorrow.

George

[Greg Bender]

Originally Posted by thatboatguy

Swing arm and stub axle with "shock" (really just a coil spring).



Wheel and tire. I'll tow it around the block a few times before I install the box and see how it does tomorrow.

George

So how did it do? To me it looks like it might not be stout enough where it connects to the backbone/frame. But I'm just looking at a photo :>

Regards,

Gregory Bender

[DakarNick]

Originally Posted by rw4x4van

Post them over in photobucket for now photobucket.com
..and there is always smugmug.com we have "in" there

I signed up for Photobucket. I'll post more pics tonight

[rw4x4van]

Originally Posted by DakarNick

I signed up for Photobucket. I'll post more pics tonight

[DakarNick]

Here's a couple...

Sorry, guys. I moved them to a different album and forgot to re-link. Here they are:





I live in an apartment and have a one-car garage. The dogs hate being away from me, so I block them in with the tubs and table, haha. Then they can be out there while I work. But I have to toss them back inside when I weld.

That's Beau helping me. Ruff is behind the rear wheel and to the right.

So, anyway, here it is so far. It's all 1.00" and 0.50" square tube except for a bit of flat to make the bike axle mount. The 1.00" tube running lengthwise in the first pic will be the main spar. In the second pic is the 0.50" frame that will sit above the spar a bit and I'll run angled braces back to the spar.

Bike axle is 7/16"
Front pivot is 3/8"
Trailer axle will be 3/8" or 7/16", depending on what I use to fit the wheel hub.
All pivots are bushed with graphite-impregnated bronze bushings
All axles are simple all-thread with a nut welded on one end

[DakarNick]

My shock should be here by Friday. That's the next thing to do besides add some bracing to the bike-side pivot.

I realized I left out one pivot. Rear swingarm pivot is 7/16" also.

I may need another 20' stick of 0.50" tube. $17, not bad.

[oPAULo]

Looking pretty cool Nick!!

[rw4x4van]

Originally Posted by DakarNick

My shock should be here by Friday. That's the next thing to do besides add some bracing to the bike-side pivot.

I realized I left out one pivot. Rear swingarm pivot is 7/16" also.

I may need another 20' stick of 0.50" tube. $17, not bad.

[oPAULo]

Ok kids, got my dirt wheels back on and took the trailer out for a good thrashing. Went down by the river to a spot I want to camp. Did a hill climb, deep ditch and log crossing. As you can see, the smaller rear wheel is not an issue. I think the fatter tire you get with a smaller wheel is a benefit as it won't pinch flat quite as easy. I can feel the trailer more with the dirt wheels on the bike but still no big deal. I went everywhere I wanted to go. In the video you can see some bouncing but not as bad as I thought it was. I should have loaded more weight in it. It really stabilizes with more weight. The shocks are just a shade too stiff offroad with a small load in it. It had maybe 15 pounds of stuff in it. I should have thrown a couple cinder blocks in it for the test. It will handle it no problem.

The video doesn't do the hill justice. It's meaner than it looks.

[ben2go]

Either the trailer is loaded to light or the shock spring has to much preload.It left the ground on some small bumps and kept bouncing.It shouldn't do that.Minor adjustment.

[oPAULo]

Originally Posted by ben2go

Either the trailer is loaded to light or the shock spring has to much preload.It left the ground on some small bumps and kept bouncing.It shouldn't do that.Minor adjustment.

It's the stock rearend from a Z50 which is heavier than the trailer even without a rider so yes it's too stiff. Not as bad when it's loaded but could be softer. I'm thinking about giving the shocks more anlge to increase the lever action and soften it up. Maybe even the upgrade oil dampened shocks too.