Anyone tried this setup with a Valk?

[Valkorado]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/181794386835

I'm hoping to get a new shed this summer and can't see myself being able to justify the expense of a trailer anytime in the foreseeable future.  I have a little Ford Ranger, and I'd like to have something I could move a Valkyrie for shorter distances in an emergency situation.

[John Schmidt]

Probably not a good idea. These engines/transmissions are lubed via a pump when the engine is running. The bike would be in neutral when being towed, but the output shaft is still turning if the wheel is spinning and wouldn't be lubed via pressured oiling from the pump. Result....possible bearing damage or failure on the output shaft.

Others might chime in on this, just hope it's also from experience and not hearsay. 

[Valkorado]

Good call John.  Thanks.

[N8171S]

I  had a Suzuki 650 shaft drive and the owners manual stated  to never tow the bike with the rear wheel on the ground due to lack of lubrication.  The valk is probably no different.  Don't do it!

[Jess from VA]

I suppose you could always pull the drive shaft (and then put the back tire back on).  But these setups always looked rickety to me, esp with a great big heavy bike.  

I once used two brackets to hang my Yami DT360 on the back bumper of my dads '67 Chevy Impala.  That was more weight than the setup was designed for; the car was very low in the back, high in the front, and the 400 miles I went pretty unsafe.  I don't know who Rube Goldberg was, but that's what it was.  

I'm glad dad was at work when I mounted it up and left; had he seen it he would have vetoed the whole idea.  

But dad, I only have an Austin Healy Sprite.

I told you not to buy that foreign crap.... so if it won't fit on the Sprite's bumper, throw it in the passenger seat.  But get that bike off my rear bumper before it falls off.  NOW

[Andy Cote]

compromise?  How about an enclosed trailer - use as a shed 360 days a year and tow the bike five days a year?

AND NO BUILDING PERMIT OR SETBACK RULES!

[gordonv]

I would be more inclined to do something like this one.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/FREE-SHIPPING-Ultra-Tow-Single-Rail-Folding-Motorcycle-Trailer-3806S084-/400989440994?hash=item5d5cd54be2:g:P9UAAOSwd0BV6F97&vxp=mtr

I know there is a better example out there, of one like this that folds up, I saw one in the PWN for sale in CL.

You say you want something to just move the bike around. In an emergency. How far is this move? I would say 10 miles OK, but that's me. Driving it for hours, forget it.

This might have been the one I saw.
http://www.stingertrailer.com/

[IamGCW]

In route to inzane last year a truck pulling a camper trailer had his bike in one of those (or similar style) behind the trailer.  As they pulled away from the pumps the bike fell over to its side.  Not being able to see the bike they continued driving scrapping the heck out of the bike and pavement.  Nick and I got the guy stopped and did our best to help get the bike up.  So in addition to the very deep scratches he likely had drive train damage as noted in previous posts.  It was a large metric cruiser, but not a Valk.

Gil

[Tailgate Tommy]

Seth, I just bought one of these. They are made in Denver (Aurora). Lowers to the ground with air suspension, no ramp. Keeps old men from dropping their bike off the trailer  Not the cheap solution though!
Tom

http://www.the-ultimate-trailers.com/

[Valkorado]

Very cool trailer Tom, looks like you did your research.   

[Medina]

compromise?  How about an enclosed trailer - use as a shed 360 days a year and tow the bike five days a year?

AND NO BUILDING PERMIT OR SETBACK RULES!

guy across the street, a great nieghbor does this- he bought a 12'xwide? and stores his bike in there, HF trailer jacks on the corners, its rigid, steady, and frankly looks good. its in his side yard back a ways. Doesn't look bad at all...I dont think its been registered since I've been here 8 years.
He washes it, doesn't have any green growing on it, can't tell it hasn't moved in a decade.

[MarkT]

Seth, ditto on the enclosed trailer used as a garage.  We were about to have another garage built when it occured that a nice trailer will serve the same purpose for a lot less $$$ plus allow me to haul the George bike to the pavement so I don't get it all dusty with each outing.  Got one big enough to hold a Valk and the Magna so we can even haul 2 bikes on a trip should that ever be needed.  I'm working on setting it up to haul the George bike plus Jade or Deerslayer.  That will be trick with a 6X12.

[ValkISDan]

My advice on the bike being the trailer, hell no!

[MarkT]

Seth here's what I got.  Rigged it up to store George but can haul 2 bikes with hardware that holds the bikes next to the walls, on an angle. 6X12 just under gvw for tandem axles and brakes.

[Valkorado]

George sure looks happy in his new stable, Mark.  I could see making something like that work.  I really need something a bit bigger for both bikes and a little walk around room.  Anything will beat using covers.  Decisions, decisions.

[jdp]

Don't do it brother, all kinds of nasty things can happen, please don't do it.

[Valkorado]

Don't do it brother, all kinds of nasty things can happen, please don't do it.

No worries, aint gonna happen.