Motorcycle Carrier

Dave Siegel · January 08, 2011, 05:37:18 AM

Santa saw to it that I got a new motorcycle this year for Christmas. Now I would like to consider ways of hauling this 700 pound extra vehicle around. I am sure there are lots of you folks that have figured out how to do it safely, but let me add a few of my concerns and we can go from there.

Our bus is a 1948 Silversides. There is not a lot of support in the rear end to hang something but I do have a trailer hitch and a small utility trailer that will carry the bike. The problem is getting the bike up and off the trailer easily. I believe I can get it up onto the trailer ok, but I am really apprehensive about backing it down the ramp to take it off.

Gene is going to install power steering on the bus soon so I will be able to maneuver the trailer some. But I have seen somewhere a lift device that one can roll onto, lift it up to go, lower it down to the ground when you are there. But I am not sure if that would work on our coach?

I would sure like some help on this, and offfer thanks before hand.

Dave

rwc · January 08, 2011, 06:07:40 AM

Actually there is a trailer for motorcycles that lowers to the ground for loading and unloading. I think it is called Easy hauler but not sure. They are hard to find. I use a Cruiser loader and load my 800lb motorcycle in bed of 3/4 ton truck with out problems. It could be mounted on a trailer also. Rod

zubzub · January 08, 2011, 06:50:04 AM

I was going to answer this thread but thought I should consult with my lawyer first.

Actually I thought the Silversides had more structure out the back than the later Gms. Are they not frame rail construction? I was under the impression that the monocoque design of the later Gms was why the rear was not too strong. Correct me if I'm wrong, I think I can handle it.

Dave Siegel · January 08, 2011, 06:59:19 AM

There are two arms, one on each side of the coach that protrude (low) from the firewall area. Those arms support the motor front and transmission rear. The nose of the motor slips into a cone shaped receiver and supports the front top part of the motor. I am not sure, but it looks like it would take a lot of modification to those members in order to suspend 750 pounds or so.

With that said, I have been looking on line and the lift type carrier seem to cost around $3,000. Way out of my budget line. How ever I do own a 4'x8" utility trailer that could be modified to carry/haul the bike. My problem is my fear of backing that beast off the trailer. If I could come up with a way of handling the bike back down I would be really all set.

I figure three muscle men could do it.

Dave

zubzub · January 08, 2011, 07:09:04 AM

well that's a lot more structure than the 4104, the engine hangs from the monocoque above on mine. Sounds like if you wanted to you could beef up those frame rails and go crazy...
As you are going with the trailer idea my 2 cents is the wider the ramp the easier the load. Backing a bike down a ramp that is wide enough to allow standing next to the bike on feels alright to me, you just have to ease it down with one hand on the clutch using the engine as a brake, or once you get good at it, ride it down.

Dave Siegel · January 08, 2011, 07:15:09 AM

You are a wild man, you mean you suggest having the bike running and in gear? Couldn't you use the front brake instead of the clutch?

Dave

brando4905 · January 08, 2011, 07:17:53 AM

Dave,

I don't have any info on the carriers, but if you already have the trailer, your all set. If your trailer has a full drop down ramp, just back the bike down with both feet on the ground and your hands on the brakes. May seem kinda scary at first, but not that hard to do at all.

I used to have a Honda VTX1300c, big bike, weighed in at just over 700lbs. I was also worried at first backing such a big bike down a ramp, after doing it a few times there was nothing to worry about. You could always have your wife put her hands on the back of the bike on your way down to help steady it a little.

If your trailer doesn't have a full width ramp, a few hundred at the welding shop will get you a nice ramp for the bike.

Brandon

zubzub · January 08, 2011, 07:30:42 AM

Quote from: Dave Siegel on January 08, 2011, 07:15:09 AM
You are a wild man, you mean you suggest having the bike running and in gear? Couldn't you use the front brake instead of the clutch?

Dave

Not as wild as you think.
Procedure is:
engine off, tranny in gear.
the reason to use the clutch instead of front brake is there is no weight on the front brake as you back down the ramp, it won't hold the the bike and a locked up front brake makes the bike harder to handle.
the clutch allows you to control the rear wheel, where the weight is, and is actually better than a brake because if you release the clutch lever the bike stays where it is.

Dave Siegel · January 08, 2011, 07:46:18 AM

Quote from: brando4905 on January 08, 2011, 07:17:53 AM
Dave,

I don't have any info on the carriers, but if you already have the trailer, your all set. If your trailer has a full drop down ramp, just back the bike down with both feet on the ground and your hands on the brakes. May seem kinda scary at first, but not that hard to do at all.

I used to have a Honda VTX1300c, big bike, weighed in at just over 700lbs. I was also worried at first backing such a big bike down a ramp, after doing it a few times there was nothing to worry about. You could always have your wife put her hands on the back of the bike on your way down to help steady it a little.

If your trailer doesn't have a full width ramp, a few hundred at the welding shop will get you a nice ramp for the bike.

Brandon

Thanks Brandon. That was good advice. My fear comes from having dropped the bike once already going at a crawl around a too tight corner. I got the bike up and dropped it again in the same spot no more than 5 minutes later. There was no harm done to the bike but I ruptured the bicep ligament in my right arm when the bike went down. I just had surgery on it yesterday. I'll be OK but the bikes weight really has me concerned.

There are two side ramps on the trailer now and they slide together, I was thinking that I could have a "track" welded into the center of the two rails. The guy that I got the bike from lives next door so around here loading and unloading is no problem, he goes up and down like nothing to it. I'll just have to enlist some help when I get to where ever I'm going to get the bike off the trailer in the beginning.

thanks, Dave

Dave Siegel · January 08, 2011, 07:48:27 AM

Quote from: zubzub on January 08, 2011, 07:30:42 AM
Quote from: Dave Siegel on January 08, 2011, 07:15:09 AM
You are a wild man, you mean you suggest having the bike running and in gear? Couldn't you use the front brake instead of the clutch?

Dave

Not as wild as you think.
Procedure is:
engine off, tranny in gear.
the reason to use the clutch instead of front brake is there is no weight on the front brake as you back down the ramp, it won't hold the the bike and a locked up front brake makes the bike harder to handle.
the clutch allows you to control the rear wheel, where the weight is, and is actually better than a brake because if you release the clutch lever the bike stays where it is.

Well ZubZub I guess I just exposed myself as a complete novice about loading and unloading the bike on a trailer.. That was really good advice, and advice that even I can understand.

Thanks,Dave

Hard Headed Ken · January 08, 2011, 08:55:48 AM

Just be sure your ramp is attached to your trailer, not just setting on the rail. I seen the ramp slip off the rail when using the front or rear wheel for braking. I wouldn't advise putting much tongue weight on a Silversides. Take a close look at the left rear engine hanger. The thin aluminum sheeting under the skin is the main structure that it's connected to. The right side is a much stronger design. Even with no trailer the bodies would crack around the emergency door opening. I believe my 4104 had a much stronger design for the front and rear engine mounts.

Ken

busguy01 · January 08, 2011, 10:16:08 AM

Dave:
I know this idea is a little north of you but---do what the snowmobile's do - drive on and drive off. They use a swivel on the trailer that allows the bed to shift and lower at the front then just drive off. In fact a snowmobile trailer would easily handle the weight of your bike. Just a thought
JimH

Lonnie time to go · January 08, 2011, 01:59:19 PM

This should help

http://www.towingworld.com/Carriers/carriers.htm#motorcycle

Geoff · January 08, 2011, 04:12:25 PM

I have been loading and unloading motorcycles for a long time, and the best thing to have if you have a trailer is a full ramp. That way you can get on the bike and just use your feet to balance it as you back it off.
Trying to hold the bike from one side doesn't work on a heavy bike, and two ramps are for four wheels, not two.

Ed Hackenbruch · January 08, 2011, 06:17:41 PM

How about trading for a Vespa?

Sorry, i couldn't help myself.