'95 Rialta-dweller, VFR800-rider, builder of cool things
John Wes
6
Vote

Fold-up motorcycle carrier for my Rialta

Video here: http://youtu.be/I7KRdh2dySs
Pics here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10100818256773744.3282966.8329234&type=1&l=2aa5d7cf57


It works great and doesn't seem to affect the Rialta negatively.  I haven't weighed it in over a year, but I'd guess it's at ~7500 now with water and excluding 550lb bike, which has it's weight split with the carrier's wheel & RV when loaded.  I have a leaky suspension airbag, but even flat, the rear doesn't bottom out or drag in dips.  I've looked at the Pit Bull trailer restraint and the Tyre Down as options of better securing it without pulling down on suspension.  Since that video, I've added self-retracting ratchet straps permanently attached to the carrier that grab a strap set up like the Tyre Down atop of my rear tire (see pictures in album) and plan to build a collapsible front chock soon.  I had to take off the front fender of my bike to restrain it like I have been, but think I can make attachment for hooking on the outsides of the installed fender.  Also added on the Rialta is a company logo on the doors and fleet numbers on the corners to appear more "utility van".

I'd be happy to help anyone out with dimensions or more details on the design; I built it in my Dad's shop at home, so can't easily reproduce one right now.  If it's feasible to build the carrier frame with aluminum, that would help with weight, but you'll probably have to reinforce it in more places.

Tynan, sorry for this post's delay; I didn't realize that uploading a video on mobile broadband was completely hopeless.  Bonus pic of the Austin Clique attached.






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Peter Park
1
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Very nice, I see you got a RV buddy too


Creator of SETT. Adventurer.
Tynan
1
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Wow... great setup. Much better than I expected. Crazy solar panel rig, too... how much capacity do you have up there?

'95 Rialta-dweller, VFR800-rider, builder of cool things
John Wes
0
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Thanks; it pulls like a dream on the highway and the need for adding a rear view camera isn't as necessary as I predicted.  If you build one, make sure the RV's rear brake lights aren't obstructed in the upright position; I'm working on adding trailer lights because the bike blocks the RV lights when loaded. 

The two panels are 325 Watts each ($400 each on Craigslist!), more than I can use with 4 golf cart batteries.  The batteries don't even drain past 90% charged in winter, so I've thought about buying a big enough inverter to run the water heater (Tommy experimented with that).  I left the AC thinking I'd take a contracting gig that lets me plug in, but now I'd remove it and lower the whole rack.  I checked out the Trailer in a Bag, but hated how much space and time it would take to construct, break down, and store each time.

Considering the weight of the steel carrier alone (I'm not good at guessing, but maybe ~200lbs total), I'm confident the RV's frame could support a light weight dual sport bike with a much simpler, custom, & lightweight carrier without the swiveling wheel (not a standard hitch mounted carrier).


Average Joe trying to win a game of life in the rat race.
Phillip
0
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I approve of this!!!  Love me some motorcycles!!!

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