Mr B's trailer project

[Mr B]

This is my trailer project that I'll be towing behind the Road King next year
Feel free to offer advice and ideas.
I usually draw things out first, but this design is in my head...I'm making it up as i go along.




The chassis is 50x50x3 box section.I wanted this nice and strong, so it stands up to bouncing around. I wanted to keep quite a lot of weight low down...centre of gravity thing.


The lightest suspension units that I could find were 200kg units. Uk law states that the trailer gross weight mustn't exceed 150kg. So I'll run lower tyre pressures to give it a bit more suspension.


The body main frame is made from 20x20x1.2 box section. This is as light as a feather and if constructed properly...is as strong as I'll ever need.


I machined up a load of threaded spacers to put through the box section, then I can tighten it down without crushing it.


The wheel arch frames were next, now I look at them...they're a bit overkill. So I'll decide how to reduce weight by cutting these down later.



I wanted radiused corners on the trailer for wind deflection and style. I put on a thread earlier asking how to bend steel box section. It can't be done easily, so I used round tube the same size as the square section and cut the corners out and welded them in. It works ok.

[Mr B]

I measured and cut the corners of the floor pan.


I made up a 90 degree jig to clamp on the box section and layed my new corners in...then welded them.


The wheel arch tubs were next. These are made from 1mm steel sheet. I wanted it strong. Everything I build is agricultural quality...I keep forgetting this going behind a Harley.



The outer part for the wheel tubs were cut using an angle grinder...not bad for free hand. I measured around a steel dustbin to get the size...perfect.



All seam welded now. They are strong, but will be trimmed down later to save weight. All this still only weighs 65kg. My target weight is 100kg for the finished trailer.



When all the steelwork is finished, it will be clad with lightweight aluminium sheet. Then my mate is going to go over the whole lot with epoxy resin and matt. I'll fill and primer the lot and see if I can paint it myself. if it goes wrong, I'll get a professional to spray it. Whatever happens...it's got to match my bike.

That's as far as I've got at the moment, but I work on it everyday...so won't be long before I add some more.

Brian.

[Baff]

Nice job, Stumpy. If you find yourself getting near the weight limit, you could change some of the steel for titanium, but probably a tad on the expensive side.

BTW, where's the refrigeration unit for the beer cooler going?

[Mr B]

The beer compartment will go at the very back end. The lid will be lockable when you're around...I've seen you drink beer. All the lightweight stuff will go the other end. The sound system in the lid, and a region 15 flag on the back.
Not forgetting the chrome musical air horns right on the top.

Brian.

[devon.john]

nice job mate are you going to up rate your brakes???
its not going tobe a lightweight, built to last !!!!

john

[Mr B]

Hi John, that has been in my mind all along. The brakes, drive belt and the fact that it's only a stage 1 TC88. I'll see how it goes and might have to start saving to upgrade it all.

Brian.

[Realbark]

Getting there mate - will Anglia now have a portable marquee too? Are you gonna paint or powdercoat it?

[devon.john]

sintered pads are a lot better than most, also you can get a stronger belt
made for sidecar use, But a cracking job my friend, i made a chassis for my
landrover a few years ago then got it galvanised that will last for ever i think
good luck with your build ,cant what for the next instalment

john

[Mr B]

Originally Posted by Realbark

Getting there mate - will Anglia now have a portable marquee too? Are you gonna paint or powdercoat it?

It will be Gunmetal Pearl, which is a 100th Anniversary colour. I've found a paint factor that said they can mix it for me. They use a scanner on the bike. The silver Anniversary stripes may cause me a problem, but I'll get over it somehow.

Brian.

[Mr B]

I've built the framework for the sides today. 350mm tall. Then I'll build a curved lid to sit on top of this with a waterproof seal all around the edge.




Now to cut these wheel arches down a bit...they're getting to me. This is a motorcycle luggage trailer....not a car transporter.



If anyone wants to know more about how I did certain parts...I can upload detailed pics for that part with an explanation...just a thought.

Brian.