As the blade is off for a dyno session on Tuesday and it's going to be an easy 5 hours of mapping etc, I'm just dropping it off.. I drive a Transit as my daily run about, not a Connect but the full size version, and was going to stick the bike in the back of it to take it to the tuning centre. However, I'm always conscious of dropping the bike getting it in and out, up and down the ramp by myself. So..on Wednesday I was fortunate enough to be given an old box trailer, just the frame on wheels, had seen better days but with potential. I work as a maintenance engineer and do a fair bit of fabrication in my job, we have a decently equipped workshop and a good supply of steel.. As luck would have it, it's a bank holiday weekend and I'm working it, but the bosses aren't , so after chopping up the old trailer into the main bits that I'd need I took it into work and spent a couple of hours converting it into a bike trailer The main fabrication is done and painted, just the axles/suspension to fit once I fit the new wheels bearings, then complete the build, ramp at the back, electrics etc. I'll post a couple of photos when I get round to taking them, trailer by itself and with the blade on. As I'm essentially building this for the run out Tuesday, afterwards it'll mostly be sat gathering dust, so if anyone wants to borrow it then just PM me...obviously living local to the Teesside area would be an advantage
Great work and a great offer, look forward to seeing the pics. I've been thinking about setting up a bike transportation business on the side and have been looking at a few covered trailers.
Have you fitted it with a cradle for the front wheel? Makes life so much easier when loading bike on yer own.
Yes I fitted one of those, I looked at a few commercial designs and got inspiration for what would be needed..
I did a lot of research before buying a trailer and arrived at this. Prefer a Van though so sold it a year later.
As I said, I have a Transit, but the thought of the bike doing an artistic roll off the ramp whilst I'm attempting to load or unload it by myself isn't an image I want to see. I think my next van will be one of those disability buses the council use with either a lowered floor or a tail-lift...I've been told that they come up for sale surprisingly regular and have all the kit still attached, and can be bought for reasonable money..
Tom mate if it bothers U that much just get someone who transports their bike regular to show U how, it really is very easy once you've had a few go's. There's more chance of dropping it using a Trailer imho. Where R U based btw?
I used to work in the breakdown/recovery business and recovered a number of bikes using both truck with ramps and trailer, the trailer option was always quicker and easier, especially working solo. I've both this bike and previous bikes in the back of my van, but it's always a chew on. Anyway the trailer is built now at the grand cost of £25 for the new wheel bearings, plus a got paid for building it I live on Teesside
Photo of the blade on its little chariot. The kickstand rests nicely on the side rail once the bike is loaded in this position, so no awkward moments supporting the bike whilst trying to get the straps done/undone
