Help me build a mono wheel trailer for my MTB

[rojoracing53]

So as a cheap ass(gas is expensive) and an avid MTBer(at least I have been for about a month) I want to figure out how to tow the Mtb behind the Ninjette. I've seen the rack system that mounts the bike to a beam off the rear seat of the motorcycle and the bike is way up in the air but then I'd have to remove my top box and it would be a quick on and off deal.

My idea is to use a normal Yakima roof mounted bike rack and mount it to a custom fabbed mono wheel trailer and then tow that behind the Ninjette. I plan on using a Mtb rear shock for the trailer wheel to help keep the thing planted through the corners. I'm a little unsure how it's going to handle mid corner during lean though. I've scoured the web for pics and ideas but there's been little related to my exact Idea that's been helpful.

So here's where I'm stuck.

1.How do I get this trailer mounted to the Ninjette so its stable, strong and can corner?

2. What kind of small wheel would handle several thousand miles at hwy speeds. Trailers only going to weigh 70lbs max fully loaded

3. What are the hoops I need to jump through to get this thing approved by CA DOT. It probably needs a full trailer license plate with brake lights and turn signals but that easy enough for me to get signed off.

Please chime in with any helpful ideas or pics that could help me get this project jump started. Thanks

Here's what the Yakima bike rack I'm thinking of using looks like.

[greenaero]

Hi Jason, If it was me I'd skip the trailer and fab up a rack to carry the bike. The rake I'm envisioning would bolt on and off quickly to the passenger peg bolt and another rear chassis bolt hole off the right side of moto. You could probably use the tailbox mount as the the upper attachment point for the rack. The rack would be made of light tubing with some foam to protect the mtb's frame paint. It's simple and avoids the hassles of the hitch mount, lights, registration, etc. I think I saw something like this a few years ago on another forum , where the rider carried his bicycle on his scooter.

If you go with the trailer , you could use the small(8"?) wheels that are used on folding trailers. Good luck with your project.

[greenaero]

Here's a link to the scooter-bike carrier project I was thinking of: http://www.gassavers.org/f64/carryin...oter-8634.html

[bdavison]

I'd go sidecar rig before I hooked up a rear slinging trailer disaster to the back of my bike.

[BRad704]

Concept would be about the same as the kid's pull behind bike attachment. I'm not saying let the MTB tire ride the pavement... only an idea for mounting.

The attatchment point would need to be high (like off the rear subframe somewhere), and have provision for vertical motion/rotation in the mount.

[Alex]

Sounds like a fun project.

[alex.s]

if its got an extra axle, it has to be registered in cali, right? which means if you want to build it, you need your frame builders license, and be certified by the dmv to issue vins. (they give you a mfg.code) if you don't plan on ever selling it you can have it registered as a custom so you don't have to pay the builder bond. maybe i'm confusing whole vehicle frames and trailer frames. maybe just go buy a frame thats regged and modify it

[rojoracing53]

I could always just steal the plate of my regular trailer.

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by rojoracing53

.........1.How do I get this trailer mounted to the Ninjette so its stable, strong and can corner?

Please chime in with any helpful ideas or pics that could help me get this project jump started. Thanks........

The uni-wheel system has been used in Europe for centuries.

The trailer is articulated respect to the bike's frame in a way that it can hinge up and down and sideways freely, but it can not roll or lean respect to the frame.
A regular car's universal joint anchored to both is sufficient.

The third wheel will follow the path of any turn, while it leans with the bike, producing no undesired back-feed.

I believe that I have posted several related links here before.
Let's start with this one:
http://www.uni-go.com/

Link to original page on YouTube.

Link to original page on YouTube.

[rojoracing53]

Thanks motofool that first video gave a great view of how to attach it.

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by rojoracing53

Thanks motofool that first video gave a great view of how to attach it.

You are welcome, Rojo

I hope you can make this project happen.

For light load like your bike, a full shock absorber is not really necessary.
The pneumatic tire is a big portion of the suspension.
A swingarm having a piece of rubber as shock absorber worked well for one that I fabricated long time ago.

[chef]

Dont know how legal it would be but does it have to be a pulled trailer?
Something like the board racks here in Bali ?

[CycleCam303]

@Motofool that is perfect.

You posted a video of a guy using a trailer similar to that doing a gymkhana right? Where we mountain bike is important to still be able to haul the mail since there are great roads out there.

[choneofakind]

Could you use a bicycle wheel for the trailer? only 70lbs, it's only trailing behind you. Something like a BMX tire would have lots of lean angle and grip to go with you wherever.

Only thing I'd be worried about is mileage/wear.

For pulling it, could you use one of those axle-mount hitches like you can buy to tow a kiddie trailer with a bicycle? Maybe just beefier.

[csmith12]

I don't think a BMX wheel bearing will not be able to handle the heat from traveling 70-80 for long periods of time. When I tried it back in the late 80's I was able to boil the grease out of the wheel in 20 minutes.

[choneofakind]

Not even with fancy new ceramic bearings? I mean the hubs in road bike wheels are meant to handle 30 mph for hours at a time with 150 lbs on them.

Idk, that's just my reckoning.

[csmith12]

Seems much has changed since in 22 years brah. lol

[BRad704]

Aren't high-speed bearings and single small trailer wheels pretty cheap anyway? Seems like using anything different would be inviting problems...

[allanoue]

Originally Posted by csmith12

I don't think a BMX wheel bearing will not be able to handle the heat from traveling 70-80 for long periods of time. When I tried it back in the late 80's I was able to boil the grease out of the wheel in 20 minutes.

MTB do not go 70-80, well maybe with Rojo on a long down hill, but not for long periods of time.

Edit:
I need to learn how to read

[LNasty]

[JeffM]

***Poof***

[IF13]

Originally Posted by Motofool

The uni-wheel system has been used in Europe for centuries.

The trailer is articulated respect to the bike's frame in a way that it can hinge up and down and sideways freely, but it can not roll or lean respect to the frame.
A regular car's universal joint anchored to both is sufficient.

The third wheel will follow the path of any turn, while it leans with the bike, producing no undesired back-feed.

I believe that I have posted several related links here before.
Let's start with this one:
http://www.uni-go.com/

Link to original page on YouTube.

Link to original page on YouTube.

I really want this. How would trailer laws apply to this in the states though?

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by CycleCam303

@Motofool that is perfect.

You posted a video of a guy using a trailer similar to that doing a gymkhana right?...........

I think this is the vid you referred to, Cam.

Originally Posted by IF13

I really want this. How would trailer laws apply to this in the states though?

This biker lives in Birmingham, Alabama, ...........at least over there this type of trailer is legal.
Note the tag on the trailer.

Link to original page on YouTube.

[IF13]

Turns out to buy a pre-fab one cost half the MSRP of our ninjettes.

[rojoracing53]

Originally Posted by LNasty

So I'm going to go with something like this but modeled after the 2x2 cycles rack. The 2x2 product is good but $300 it works good for many bikes. What I'll be making with work perfectly for my two bikes on only my Ninjette so it'll be compact and clean. I've come up with a way to remove my front wheel and mount my 15mm through axle forks behind my existing givi top box so I won't lose any storage room. Once the rack is all built and in operation I'll start shopping around for some strap on saddle bags to carry my extra clothing for my multi day cycling trips.

Now onto more pressing matters. Do I powder coat the rack the bright orange to match the small parts of my bike or black to blend it

[choneofakind]

black to blend it. The MTB is already orange. Too much orange is a thing. or so I'm told.

[rojoracing53]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

black to blend it. The MTB is already orange. Too much orange is a thing. or so I'm told.

Blasphemy to much of a good thing is never bad. Maybe go black then lightly sticker bomb it with orange decals

[choneofakind]

I like it.

Can you PC something that big or will you need a larger oven?

[rojoracing53]

Originally Posted by IF13

Turns out to buy a pre-fab one cost half the MSRP of our ninjettes.

as it happens my single speed Mtb which lacks half the components of today's standard MTBs is worth twice what I could sell my Ninjette for and we don't even want to start with how many times my road bike eclipses the Ninjette worth. I think when I park my setup I'll lock the bicycles to something solid and pray they steal the Ninjette before the cycles

[rojoracing53]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

I like it.

Can you PC something that big or will you need a larger oven?

I'll need to gut my double decker oven and build the taller single oven I've been planning. I'll probably just rattle can it for now and add it to the long list over projects I've started and never finished

[old3]

I know you went in another direction but if anyone else is interested this thread has a bunch of info on bike pulled trailers...

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=113997

[rojoracing53]

Originally Posted by old3

I know you went in another direction but if anyone else is interested this thread has a bunch of info on bike pulled trailers...

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=113997

Thanks for the link and damn it's51 pages of info that will keep me busy for awhile. I can still use a trailer in the future if I want, it'll just swing under the bicycle. Mtb in the air and trailer below, now that would be a sight.

[c-dog]

Originally Posted by old3

I know you went in another direction but if anyone else is interested this thread has a bunch of info on bike pulled trailers...

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=113997

Cool thread. Lots of neat ideas and fabricating going on.

[old3]

Hope you find some good ideas, there is a very resourceful bunch of bike folks over there!

[rojoracing53]

Just a little something to hold you guys over

[allanoue]

That's great, but you will need to hang a red flag off the back wheel or rig some kind or rear light like they do for trailers.

[dcj13]

Creative, innovative, and interesting. But that's quite a moment arm way far back and way up high: will create undesireable effects when going on surfaces other than straight, smooth, and level.

Ride really carefully on those gravel mountain roads.

[allanoue]

Originally Posted by dcj13

Creative, innovative, and interesting. But that's quite a moment arm way far back and way up high: will create undesireable effects when going on surfaces other than straight, smooth, and level.

Ride really carefully on those gravel mountain roads.

He's got skills

[dcj13]

Originally Posted by allanoue

He's got skills

Thanks for the link! Impressive!

Still, that tail will be waggin' the dog. Looks like about a 120 or so foot-pounds (static torque on the rider-bike center-of-mass, who knows how much when it's bouncing around?).

Jason, please give us a ride report on how the bike rack works! It really is impressive looking!

[rojoracing53]

Haha yeah I don't think ill be taking this setup on the track......or....will I what would feel more degrading to a track day rider, getting passed by a 250 riding two up or Perez carrying his prized MTB?

I'll be taking this nice and slow till it's all worked out and solid, I still have a ways to go. I'll probably enlist @CycleCam303 to test ride it while I follow so I can see it in action from behind. At the very least it should keep me cautious enough while heading to my destination to keep me from getting to quick in the canyons and having to worry about tickets. I don't think I'll need a red flag if I have a taillight at the rear.

I'll be sure to give a ride report accompanied with a video from Cams bike as he follows.