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For those who tow...

Started by ZOA NOM, November 04, 2020, 11:18:23 AM

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ZOA NOM

Quote from: ribbert on November 05, 2020, 07:30:55 AM
Quote from: Ted Schefelbein on November 04, 2020, 08:39:31 PM


Ted

                           


                       



Noel


                                                                           

Noel, I WANT that sticker!
Rick

Current:
2010 Honda VFR1200 DCT (Full Auto!)
1993 FJ/GSXR 1200 (-ABS)
1987 Porsche 911 Carrera (Race)
1988 Porsche Carrera (Street)
Previous:
1993 FJ1200 (FIREBALL)
1993 FJ1200ABS (RIP my collar bone)
1986 FZ750
1984 FJ600
1982 Seca

PaulG

The description in the video said "tow up to 600 lbs". That would put an FJ at it's max limit, if not slightly over with a later 1200.  For occasional use prob ok, but regular use?

Would running the front wheel in reverse like that have any ill effect on wear pattern, etc.? I'm guessing prob not if only over a couple hrs?

Oh yeah... with your current set-up, or a trailer, your bike is not exposed to any road debris. With this there is a risk of a puncture, or chunks-o-roadkill to clean off upon arrival.

Just my 2c
1992 FJ1200 ABS
YouTube Channel Paul G


ZOA NOM

I've considered those points. There isn't anywhere near 600lbs on this hitch, especially with the motor so far forward (to the rear). Also, I think the 600lb rating is how much it can lift, not pull. It's certainly less worrisome than my current setup.  The one concern I have is about centering the forks so it tracks straight. Also, I do wonder if the stress at the neck bearings being opposite of normal travel will be an issue. The video looks extremely stable to me, compared to what I experience with the current setup. The biggest advantage that I think it will have is the ease of loading/unloading. I currently have to have a second person help on both ends. The FJ is a pig when it's a couple feet off the ground.
Rick

Current:
2010 Honda VFR1200 DCT (Full Auto!)
1993 FJ/GSXR 1200 (-ABS)
1987 Porsche 911 Carrera (Race)
1988 Porsche Carrera (Street)
Previous:
1993 FJ1200 (FIREBALL)
1993 FJ1200ABS (RIP my collar bone)
1986 FZ750
1984 FJ600
1982 Seca

ZOA NOM

Great writeup by an adventure rider after several thousand miles of towing through Central America.

https://advrider.com/f/threads/motow-the-un-trailer.1420374/
Rick

Current:
2010 Honda VFR1200 DCT (Full Auto!)
1993 FJ/GSXR 1200 (-ABS)
1987 Porsche 911 Carrera (Race)
1988 Porsche Carrera (Street)
Previous:
1993 FJ1200 (FIREBALL)
1993 FJ1200ABS (RIP my collar bone)
1986 FZ750
1984 FJ600
1982 Seca

Pat Conlon

I like the idea Rick....I like it much better than that cantilevered load on your current rig.
That bad boy makes me nervous.

As you correctly point out, with the Motow more than 1/2 of the bike's weight will be on the front tire.

I wonder if....I could fabricate a carrier that would allow 2 bikes (use 2 Motows) on 1 receiver hitch.

A couple of things to be aware of
1) I have had a Canyon Dancer handlebar strap crush my throttle tube and damage the heating element in my grip heaters.
Solution: Don't run the straps over the bar grips. Remove the bar end weights. Thread in some custom eye bolts for the straps to connect to. Carson City Paul, got your ears on?
2) I have seen a FJ which was loaded on a trailer backwards (bike front facing rear) and the windscreen had cracked at the base from a wind gust blowing against the back side of the screen. The windscreen acted as a parachute capturing the wind.
Solution: This happened on a trailer and is probably not an issue with the bike located so close to the car/truck. If in doubt, Take off the windscreen.
3) Running your Speedo backwards for hundreds of miles may bugger the internal gears....
Solution: Disconnect the Speedo cable and pull the cable out of the sheath.
4) Trailer lights (running/stop/turn) *might*  be required. No biggie. It's a good idea.

Cheers
1) Free Owners Manual download: https://tinyurl.com/fmsz7hk9
2) Don't store your FJ with E10 fuel https://tinyurl.com/3cjrfct5
3) Replace your old stock rubber brake lines.
4) Important items for the '84-87 FJ's:
Safety wire: https://tinyurl.com/99zp8ufh
Fuel line: https://tinyurl.com/bdff9bf3

PaulG

Quote from: ZOA NOM on November 05, 2020, 09:10:41 PM
The FJ is a pig when it's a couple feet off the ground.

Even worse when it's 2" off the ground on it's side.  :sarcastic:

You've covered some good points.  The write-up on the ADV forum was interesting too, as it seems to have addressed a lot of the issues here.  If you decide to get one let us know how it goes.
1992 FJ1200 ABS
YouTube Channel Paul G


ZOA NOM

It arrives Wednesday.

Pat, good thinking on the grips. I have the fancy heaters in there. I'll keep an eye on the screen, and I'll be disconnecting the speedo for sure. I have some trailer lights that I use for the current ramp/carrier, but I don't think they'll be necessary with this setup.

More to come...
Rick

Current:
2010 Honda VFR1200 DCT (Full Auto!)
1993 FJ/GSXR 1200 (-ABS)
1987 Porsche 911 Carrera (Race)
1988 Porsche Carrera (Street)
Previous:
1993 FJ1200 (FIREBALL)
1993 FJ1200ABS (RIP my collar bone)
1986 FZ750
1984 FJ600
1982 Seca

andyoutandabout

Am I missing some understanding of physics? Wouldn't it be better to clamp the front end forward?
life without a bike is just life

andyoutandabout

https://youtu.be/w1bPVoYAaYw
Here's one called the towster, which is obviously a great name because it reminds you of toast.
All was great until the very end, when it said you're limited to 45 mph. So this model isn't really what you need for distance work, but I bet there are others out there like this.
life without a bike is just life

ZOA NOM

Much less hassle without disconnecting the chain.
Rick

Current:
2010 Honda VFR1200 DCT (Full Auto!)
1993 FJ/GSXR 1200 (-ABS)
1987 Porsche 911 Carrera (Race)
1988 Porsche Carrera (Street)
Previous:
1993 FJ1200 (FIREBALL)
1993 FJ1200ABS (RIP my collar bone)
1986 FZ750
1984 FJ600
1982 Seca

andyoutandabout

Yep, if you have to disconnect the chain, that puts it at the bottom of the pile.
life without a bike is just life

ribbert

Quote from: ZOA NOM on November 09, 2020, 02:50:44 PM
Much less hassle without disconnecting the chain.

Why would you disconnect the chain?

Noel
"Tell a wise man something he doesn't know and he'll thank you, tell a fool something he doesn't know and he'll abuse you"

ribbert

Quote from: ZOA NOM on November 05, 2020, 09:10:41 PM

The FJ is a pig when it's a couple feet off the ground.


Particularly if you're riding it at the time!
"Tell a wise man something he doesn't know and he'll thank you, tell a fool something he doesn't know and he'll abuse you"

ZOA NOM

Quote from: ribbert on November 09, 2020, 09:21:15 PM
Quote from: ZOA NOM on November 09, 2020, 02:50:44 PM
Much less hassle without disconnecting the chain.

Why would you disconnect the chain?

Noel


Because Yamaha says to... and it's common sense. That's why I prefer the Motow.

From the owners manual:

Rick

Current:
2010 Honda VFR1200 DCT (Full Auto!)
1993 FJ/GSXR 1200 (-ABS)
1987 Porsche 911 Carrera (Race)
1988 Porsche Carrera (Street)
Previous:
1993 FJ1200 (FIREBALL)
1993 FJ1200ABS (RIP my collar bone)
1986 FZ750
1984 FJ600
1982 Seca

ribbert

Quote from: ZOA NOM on November 09, 2020, 09:37:05 PM
Quote from: ribbert on November 09, 2020, 09:21:15 PM
Quote from: ZOA NOM on November 09, 2020, 02:50:44 PM
Much less hassle without disconnecting the chain.

Why would you disconnect the chain?

Noel

Because Yamaha says to... and it's common sense. That's why I prefer the Motow.

From the owners manual:



Sense appears not be as common at my place as it is at yours, you still don't say why.

Noel
"Tell a wise man something he doesn't know and he'll thank you, tell a fool something he doesn't know and he'll abuse you"