Pusher Trailer Possibility
- Thread starter lowracer
- Start date
wayne z,
I too was thinking about o fusing it for some storage & utility. I may want to 1st get one of those 4L rear fuel tanks to extend my range & get between 130-150 miles between fill-ups. Then possibly a basket. I was also thinking of some coroplast sheet to make it a rolling billboard...lol
Before I buy the fuel tank, I wanna see how it rides & if I'm gonna like it enough to invest more time & energy into this trailer. So far I spent around $150 on materials (I already had the engine, transmission & bike).
-Lowracer-
I too was thinking about o fusing it for some storage & utility. I may want to 1st get one of those 4L rear fuel tanks to extend my range & get between 130-150 miles between fill-ups. Then possibly a basket. I was also thinking of some coroplast sheet to make it a rolling billboard...lol
Before I buy the fuel tank, I wanna see how it rides & if I'm gonna like it enough to invest more time & energy into this trailer. So far I spent around $150 on materials (I already had the engine, transmission & bike).
-Lowracer-
Ok,
I finally got to take it for a few test drives today & came up wit a few observations.
1) Its too light, the rear drive wheel bounces around, there isn't enough weight on it to keep the tire from spinning. When I goose it, it just spins the tire too easily.
2) Handling over 25 mph is scary... (tail wants to wag the dog)
3) I dont like pusher trailers.
So, I guess I should have quit while I was ahead after making the 1st one & coming to the conclusion that it wasnt for me. Now I go & build a better mousetrap only to realize it still isn't for me.
LOL...story of my life...
-Lowracer-
I finally got to take it for a few test drives today & came up wit a few observations.
1) Its too light, the rear drive wheel bounces around, there isn't enough weight on it to keep the tire from spinning. When I goose it, it just spins the tire too easily.
2) Handling over 25 mph is scary... (tail wants to wag the dog)
3) I dont like pusher trailers.
So, I guess I should have quit while I was ahead after making the 1st one & coming to the conclusion that it wasnt for me. Now I go & build a better mousetrap only to realize it still isn't for me.
LOL...story of my life...
-Lowracer-
Well,
I now got a bunch of aluminum to use for my next project.
I was thinking of using the pillow block bearings with 1/2" shaft & one of my extra BMP rollers to create a pulley driven rear friction drive with the engine center mounted & using the angle aluminum in 4 planes to create a channel & hook it up to the seatpost mounted stem/hub for the up & down. Hmmmmmm
-lowracer-
I now got a bunch of aluminum to use for my next project.
I was thinking of using the pillow block bearings with 1/2" shaft & one of my extra BMP rollers to create a pulley driven rear friction drive with the engine center mounted & using the angle aluminum in 4 planes to create a channel & hook it up to the seatpost mounted stem/hub for the up & down. Hmmmmmm
-lowracer-
Hey LR if this is similar to what you have in mind, it worked very well. Was a bit tail heavy with the HF engine when the rider was off the bike, but very well balanced when riden. Wouldnt be a problem with the light PB engine. I still have the engine/rack/bearing mount if you need any pics. Heres a link to the build, might give you a leg up.http://motorbicycling.com/showpost.php?p=287147&postcount=1
Cb2,
Thanks for the link. The pillows mounted on their own angle pieces is perfect. I already disassembled the whole pusher today & couldnt believe how quickly it came apart. Wish they went together as quickly...lol
I may still go v-belt to the same rear pusher wheel instead of friction...not sure yet...We'll see how it goes.
-Lowracer-
Thanks for the link. The pillows mounted on their own angle pieces is perfect. I already disassembled the whole pusher today & couldnt believe how quickly it came apart. Wish they went together as quickly...lol
I may still go v-belt to the same rear pusher wheel instead of friction...not sure yet...We'll see how it goes.
-Lowracer-
my single wheel pusher is really stable at speed, only in the 20's, it dig wag it's tail, then I checked and Tightened the mount on the seat post. No slop, no wag... i'll be able to post a pic now that I have made this post. lol
My pusher trailer is now ancient history, & I won't be building another. It would have made a better unpowered trailer for hauling stuff behind the MB. Thinking back at the build & what I would have done differently to make it a better driver would be:
1) Use a lower powered engine. (PB Stage2 has way too much power for a lightly loaded rear wheel)
2) Use heavier framework (the lightweight 1/4" aluminum put very little weight on the rear wheel.
3) use a smaller drive wheel (20" BMX size or less, my 26" MTB wheel was a bit large)
-Lowracer-
1) Use a lower powered engine. (PB Stage2 has way too much power for a lightly loaded rear wheel)
2) Use heavier framework (the lightweight 1/4" aluminum put very little weight on the rear wheel.
3) use a smaller drive wheel (20" BMX size or less, my 26" MTB wheel was a bit large)
-Lowracer-
Or just buy one 
http://tinyurl.com/79fjvu3
http://motorbicycling.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=46054&stc=1&d=1332039421
My research into single wheel motorcycle trailers indicate that a wagging trailer is usually caused by improper tongue length or improper placement of the wheel, relative to the frame. Look at most single wheel motorcycle trailers and the wheel is behind the rear of the frame. One of these days when I grow up, I"ll have a motorcycle trailer built.
Chris
AKA: BigBlue
http://tinyurl.com/79fjvu3
http://motorbicycling.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=46054&stc=1&d=1332039421
My research into single wheel motorcycle trailers indicate that a wagging trailer is usually caused by improper tongue length or improper placement of the wheel, relative to the frame. Look at most single wheel motorcycle trailers and the wheel is behind the rear of the frame. One of these days when I grow up, I"ll have a motorcycle trailer built.
Chris
AKA: BigBlue
Attachments
BigBlue,
This trailer tracked well without wagging while being towed at all speeds.
When I switched to push mode (using the engine), the trailer got unsafe at speeds over 20 mph. Motorcycle trailers are tow behind & not powered to push. Pushing changes the dynamics.
-lowracer-
This trailer tracked well without wagging while being towed at all speeds.
When I switched to push mode (using the engine), the trailer got unsafe at speeds over 20 mph. Motorcycle trailers are tow behind & not powered to push. Pushing changes the dynamics.
-lowracer-
