What did you do to your dirty bike today?

[madsen203]

Originally Posted by Kestrel

...Really great info...

I will consider removing the black fenders if I see vibration. I'm going to try to keep my speed down at 60 or below but I imagine it'll still vibrate. I wonder if I stuck some rubber between the mount and trailer if that would help eliminate the cracking potential.

I appreciate all of these tips and info that will make for happy trailer-ing.

Will keep ya'll posted!

[Kestrel]

Originally Posted by madsen203

I will consider removing the black fenders if I see vibration. I'm going to try to keep my speed down at 60 or below but I imagine it'll still vibrate. I wonder if I stuck some rubber between the mount and trailer if that would help eliminate the cracking potential.

I appreciate all of these tips and info that will make for happy trailer-ing.

Will keep ya'll posted!

Figured I'd brain dump everything that came to mind while it was still somewhat recent.

Unfortunately the fenders will break the frame, even with light use. They use two bolts to mount them, but they're relatively close together near the center of the fender... Torque is applied to that spot, and voila... crack.

Something as simple as steel hanger strap can be used on the far forward and rear edges of the fender to stop it from oscillating - as long as you prevent that motion, it isn't a problem.

[madsen203]

Originally Posted by Kestrel

Figured I'd brain dump everything that came to mind while it was still somewhat recent.

Unfortunately the fenders will break the frame, even with light use. They use two bolts to mount them, but they're relatively close together near the center of the fender... Torque is applied to that spot, and voila... crack.

Something as simple as steel hanger strap can be used on the far forward and rear edges of the fender to stop it from oscillating - as long as you prevent that motion, it isn't a problem.

I'll look at removing the fenders. Not like they will do much anyway. Most M/c trailers do not have fenders (the used ones i've seen at least).

I will test the trailer out tonight or tomorrow. I like the idea of the carriage bolt facing out for easy removal. I need to get a wing nut that I can hand remove.

Suggestions for ultra cheap wheel chock?

[madsen203]

Just got a 60cc syringe from work and will reverse bleed the brakes and clutch tonight if I can get the hose to stick on the bleed nipple. Will also install radiator guards (may need 1/2" longer coolant hosing now too--grr!)

Getting it all set up so that when I roll out it will be primed and ready to go!

Does the zip tying the brake handle overnight trick help with firmness and air bubbles after bleeding?

[Cabrito]

Originally Posted by madsen203

I'll look at removing the fenders. Not like they will do much anyway. Most M/c trailers do not have fenders (the used ones i've seen at least).

I will test the trailer out tonight or tomorrow. I like the idea of the carriage bolt facing out for easy removal. I need to get a wing nut that I can hand remove.

Suggestions for ultra cheap wheel chock?

It's not legal to run a trailer without fenders, and they help keep rocks from flying up and hitting cars and possibly motorcyclists.

[HadesOmega]

I have a HF trailer with many miles on it. I've gone through one set of fender brackets. You can order new brackets from Harbor Freight over the phone. They're like 6 dollars each, I wound up buying like 4 of them or something. You can also drill another set of holes in the brackets if you want to make it last longer. One of mine cracked where the bolts go in so I just drill another set of holes higher and it lowers the fender a bit.

Also you can get a piece of strapping metal the kind with holes in it or just a steel or aluminum bracket and bolt it to one side of the fender and bolt the other to the frame. It'll give it a 3rd mounting point and keep the fender from vibrating as much.

If you can find some lightweight plastic or fiber glass fenders to bolt on that probably would be ideal. The fenders are really the only weak thing about the trailer that and the deck but that's something you need to do on your own anyway. I forked out $150 for a new deck that was marine grade plywood, hopefully this one holds out longer than the last deck I installed O_o'

[OaklandF4i]

Originally Posted by Cabrito

It's not legal to run a trailer without fenders, and they help keep rocks from flying up and hitting cars and possibly motorcyclists.

And gravel will shatter your rear window. I know from experience last summer! Expensive lesson. Replacement fenders are cheap online when an if they do break off.

[Kestrel]

If you fold the trailer up and store it indoors, it'll probably last for the life of the trailer.

Paint it and be done with it. I went to Home Depot and looked at all of the returned paint on the discount rack. Found a nice shade of grey, and voila..

[ThumperX]

If you're using Harbor Freightvwheel chicks keep an eye on the weld where the tubing catches the tire. Tgat tubing is hollow and will break especially if you're running knibbied in the towed bikes and do a lot of heavy breaking.

[anytwowilldo]

I replaced my rear Maxxis Desert IT with a wide open knobby for StonyBarf. I normally can run the Maxxis through Stonybarf and often the Sheetiron, but not this year. I got in 7 days of riding this year in Baja and really tore it up. Well worth it!

I also moved the gearing back from 15/43 (Baja) to 15/47 (almost everywhere else).

[Cabrito]

I finally washed it after Stony BARF

[Butch]

I thought about washing mine. Josh got the KTM really dirty. He seemed to like to ride through puddles. He's like a kid.

[Lunch Box]

Lol. Haven't washed mind, since I'm riding Hollister tomorrow anyway.

[Eric B]

I looked at mine, as I walked past it.

[Lunch Box]

Put it in the van for tomorrow's Hollister ride.