Hi Chaps,
not been on here for a while so I thought I better post something! I sadly had to sell my trailer (http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=17233) cause it was taking up too much space on my drive and I had used it for everything I needed for now. So I had to come up with another idea for how to transport my motorbikes. A collapsible trailer would be REALLY nice, but that's probably a project that can wait for now. I needed something quick and cheap. So I built myself a tow dolly.
The thing bolts onto the the towbar and the front wheel of the bike is wheeled and secured into it. Its not something I have just invented. You can actually go out and buy these, but the ones I have seen on the Net look REALLY flimsy. I'm not going to risk loosing my bike while going down the motorway, or worse causing an accident. 250Kg of metal cartwheeling down the motorway at speed can be quite a missile!!
So, here it is. I started with a normal bike wheel chock, because its a very good base to start from and I had one kicking around in the garage that I could sacrifice.
I created a nice thick steel bracket that bolts onto the towbar and everything else was welded onto that. You know, solid foundations and all that?!
And I secured the wheel chock to the bracket with 5mm steel triangles. I considered using tubing but this turned out to be the easiest and safest option
All tacked and welded up... I know the welds ain't a looker, but I'm still using gasless mig in the garage. They don't look nice and smooth but the penetration is alright, so I can put up with the spatter.
And there it is all finished. Already had one coat of paint applied last night, another one to follow tonight. Will post more pictures once I go for a test drive with the bike attached!
not been on here for a while so I thought I better post something! I sadly had to sell my trailer (http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=17233) cause it was taking up too much space on my drive and I had used it for everything I needed for now. So I had to come up with another idea for how to transport my motorbikes. A collapsible trailer would be REALLY nice, but that's probably a project that can wait for now. I needed something quick and cheap. So I built myself a tow dolly.
The thing bolts onto the the towbar and the front wheel of the bike is wheeled and secured into it. Its not something I have just invented. You can actually go out and buy these, but the ones I have seen on the Net look REALLY flimsy. I'm not going to risk loosing my bike while going down the motorway, or worse causing an accident. 250Kg of metal cartwheeling down the motorway at speed can be quite a missile!!
So, here it is. I started with a normal bike wheel chock, because its a very good base to start from and I had one kicking around in the garage that I could sacrifice.
I created a nice thick steel bracket that bolts onto the towbar and everything else was welded onto that. You know, solid foundations and all that?!
And I secured the wheel chock to the bracket with 5mm steel triangles. I considered using tubing but this turned out to be the easiest and safest option
All tacked and welded up... I know the welds ain't a looker, but I'm still using gasless mig in the garage. They don't look nice and smooth but the penetration is alright, so I can put up with the spatter.
And there it is all finished. Already had one coat of paint applied last night, another one to follow tonight. Will post more pictures once I go for a test drive with the bike attached!