I need ideas for a DIY sidekart.

[J_Walker]

I need ideas for a DIY sidekart or trailer.

So, I've gotten into kayaking. Mostly fishing from a kayak and lots of paddling!

well after my girlfriend left a while back ago, I lost 4 wheel transport, that means any average sized things I could carry, I now can't. So all I got is my good ol' trusty SV650. I wanna build a simple storage sidekart/rack for carrying my kayak.

but im not sure about how to go by this, I've googled around a little and found some info. but I wanted to ask on here if anyone has a good idea on how the mounting application of a sidekart on a motorcycle would work?

I'm thinking that a trailer behind would be possibly better. but idk. there's pro's and con's to each. I'm looking for, Quickest cheapest build, with decent reliability. my main issue is, how to attach to the bike?! Lol!

for the trailer, would it be okay to attach to the subframe?? or would it be better to attach it under the engine? like where a center frame would mount too?

 

[landuse]

I haven't seen a carrier for a motorbike, but maybe you can get some ideas from this pic

 

[machinist@large]

Do you know anyone who has a touring rig? Many of them also tow small trailers behind the bike on a regular basis. Rather than having to reinvent the wheel from scratch, why not see what other folks have built...

Quick one; just did a quick search, found a site called Motor Cycle Hitches; didn't see your particular model, but they show some of the mountings for other bikes....

www.mchitch.com

 

[itsid]

As far as I know since it's a box frame, you need to add a subframe to attach a sidecar.
And I don't think there is one available just off a shelf.

Sorry, but my best guess is, you could easily spend the same amount you would on a small car to get it done safely.

'sid

 

[J_Walker]

yeah, I saw some hitch setup's for other bikes, mostly touring bikes. Ironically the SV650 is classified as a sport touring bike, yet I can't find much on the "touring" factor.

I think I'm just gonna do the trailer idea, as its gonna be the quickest and cheapest way, the trailer build shouldn't be to hard, at most 6 welded joints, two wheels, some good wheel bearings, a brake light attachment, licences plate mount. I just gotta find someone who can weld up some aluminum. weights an issue because of my bike not being a big 1000++cc bike.

as far as getting a "cheap car goes" lmao, not here. Nothing that runs. the trailer shouldn't cost me more to build then $200 to find a car for $200 here locally, it wouldn't have wheels, an engine, or seats.

I saw this 360 tailer swivel mount thing for motorcycles, Might buy one of those and use that as the attaching point.

Do you know anyone who has a touring rig? *snip*
www.mchitch.com

I asked around to a few people. Most of them just said mount the hitch up to either the swing arm attachment bolt, or passenger pegs. just make sure when I hit a bump that the tire or chain wouldn't slap into the hitch mounts. as I don't have passenger pegs on my bike, I think i'll just use those.

as far as mounting the actual hitch, the sub frame of my bike is steel. so I can easily just weld the hitch on without problem myself. I think I got this.. I don't care about it looking pretty, just needs to work!

 

[machinist@large]

I saw this 360 tailer swivel mount thing for motorcycles, Might buy one of those and use that as the attaching point.

I asked around to a few people. Most of them just said mount the hitch up to either the swing arm attachment bolt, or passenger pegs. just make sure when I hit a bump that the tire or chain wouldn't slap into the hitch mounts. as I don't have passenger pegs on my bike, I think i'll just use those.

as far as mounting the actual hitch, the sub frame of my bike is steel. so I can easily just weld the hitch on without problem myself. I think I got this.. I don't care about it looking pretty, just needs to work!

I used to ride with some long distant types at a shop I used to work at, and actually thought about building a trailer for my old Moto Guzzi. Only having a little over 30 HP at the rear wheel kind of put the kibosh to that (and I have the dyno slip around here somewhere.....).

One thing all the oldtimers stressed was NOT mounting the hitch to the swing arm itself; it adds an unknown amount of unsprung weight, and can really make handling even more of a crap shoot compared to mounting the hitch to the frame. The biggest thing they stressed (and glancing at the mounted photo's seem to confirm this) is to keep the actual hitch point as low as practical. The farther up you have the hitch point, the farther it is from the rear wheel contact patch. The height also has a great effect on the center of gravity for the combined rig; keeping it as low as practical, and the hitch point as close as practical to the rear wheel fore/ aft will help minimize the handling effects.

Welding the mount is up to you; if it were me, I'd try to figure out how to bolt it on, if for no other reason than that modern sport tourers are some pretty highly engineered machines, and the frame is something I personally wouldn't just hack at....

Keep in mind, whether a sidecar or a trailer, you're going to have to "relearn" how to ride with the final rig....

Pat

 

[J_Walker]

I used to ride with some long distant types at a shop I used to work at, and actually thought about building a trailer for my old Moto Guzzi. Only having a little over 30 HP at the rear wheel kind of put the kibosh to that (and I have the dyno slip around here somewhere.....).

One thing all the oldtimers stressed was NOT mounting the hitch to the swing arm itself; it adds an unknown amount of unsprung weight, and can really make handling even more of a crap shoot compared to mounting the hitch to the frame. The biggest thing they stressed (and glancing at the mounted photo's seem to confirm this) is to keep the actual hitch point as low as practical. The farther up you have the hitch point, the farther it is from the rear wheel contact patch. The height also has a great effect on the center of gravity for the combined rig; keeping it as low as practical, and the hitch point as close as practical to the rear wheel fore/ aft will help minimize the handling effects.

Welding the mount is up to you; if it were me, I'd try to figure out how to bolt it on, if for no other reason than that modern sport tourers are some pretty highly engineered machines, and the frame is something I personally wouldn't just hack at....

Keep in mind, whether a sidecar or a trailer, you're going to have to "relearn" how to ride with the final rig....

Pat

I agree on that re-learning! I'm planning to bolt the hitch onto the bike. but I think I'm gonna need diffrent mounting points for the bolts. here ill take some pictures.

here's an Idea I had, and just to kind of "wrap" around the rear tire, but I'm consired that this is a strong enough shape for it? Its a pulling direction backwards, so I'm considering about the piece that will sit directly behind the tire. as it will be a flat piece, with the hitch bolted/welded on. as you can kind of see, I'm trying to line the hitch up with the rear axle. I figured by what you said, that would be appropriate.

 

[itsid]

I've found a sidecar... (Mobec - Gipsy)

you can clearly see the subframe mounted I was talking about,
it's made upon request, and really expensive (~30k);
So this isn't really an option, I know.

But since a Kajak isn't exactly short,
a trailer would be a bit stubborn taking corners I assume.

That's why, if you ask me, I'd go the sidecar route,
although there is much more fabbing involved.
And it won't be done within 200$...
More like 1k, and that's where the used small car comes in

Anyways..
good luck with that, but in any case: stay safe!

'sid

 

[J_Walker]

I've found a sidecar... (Mobec - Gipsy)

you can clearly see the subframe mounted I was talking about,
it's made upon request, and really expensive (~30k);
So this isn't really an option, I know.

But since a Kajak isn't exactly short,
a trailer would be a bit stubborn taking corners I assume.

That's why, if you ask me, I'd go the sidecar route,
although there is much more fabbing involved.
And it won't be done within 200$...
More like 1k, and that's where the used small car comes in

Anyways..
good luck with that, but in any case: stay safe!

'sid

the way to my kayaking area is primarily stop and go- 45MPH about 6 turns total the whole way there, 15 mile trip or so. so while I agree that a side kart would be better. It's just gonna be too expensive. And you aren't gonna get a used small car for 1k around here, unless you want an blown engine, some weather rotted tires, and no doors. Joking aside, I'm sure the trailer can be done for $200.

 

[itsid]

..So while I agree that a side kart would be better. It's just gonna be too expensive.

Wait.. I might have an idea.. it's a long shot, but it might work...
Would you say you could easily tap into these three engine mounts (extending them outwards) without interfering with your brake leg?


If so, I would need you to take some measurements,
recess diameter, bolt diameter, all possible distances and such...

'sid

 

[mckutzy]

Gentleman, I believe our friend should take a gander overyonder, to a far off place that some visitors swear it must be a foreign planet... but no..... its Asia.(Not meant as an insult Folks, pointing out things just work differently there...its all good)

People There typically have a largish family and may have a limited income. Cities or town are vastly populated with every means of vehicular description out there(gokarts, I dont think so, and thats because everything else will squash you promptly,But I could be wrong???).
Since motorcycles are of predominant mode of transport there and are cheap..... people get "creative"... should an occasion needing to move something.

In N.America, and most other places of the world, when people get creative in the vehicular manner.... some people get kinda worried.....It happens.... ehhh...

A few examples..... take it for what is worth.....

Hey this guy definitely has a set of pipes on him......

A simple as gathering firewood......for many______(insert item you wish, "years" offhand comes to mind)

Picking up a few things from the market

Bringing in the days haul or a simple delivery down the way.....you be the judge.....

Traffic got you down...I know what you mean.....take a load off dont stress it....walk it off....

Hey this guy didnt stress at all and look what a cushy job he got.....

So in conclusion, to the neigh-sayer's, I say do it(however do it safely)....The aforementioned descriptions shown are for pure educational purpose only.

Rig up lights( dont forget side light as the distance is quite long) and have it to the frame, as if it were a regular motorcycle trailer. Just watch you distances and most likely dont ride at night.

 

[firemanjim]

The purple lines you lined out look good. You need to remember that the majority of the weight will/needsto be on the trailer axle. Your tongue weight will be minimal, and rolling weight minimal too. Its the STOPPING you need to be cautious with. My uncle pulls a little covered cargo trailer he bought from harbor freight with his Harley. I put his hitch on (from Harley) and it sits level withe the rear axle ...... With his bike, I forget that its there. Very easy to pull and it pulls good..... I think its $200 and its street legal.....DOT certified....

 

[Poboy kartman]

Gentleman, I believe our friend should take a gander overyonder, to a far off place that some visitors swear it must be a foreign planet... but no..... its Asia.(Not meant as an insult Folks, pointing out things just work differently there...its all good)

People There typically have a largish family and may have a limited income. Cities or town are vastly populated with every means of vehicular description out there(gokarts, I dont think so, and thats because everything else will squash you promptly,But I could be wrong???).
Since motorcycles are of predominant mode of transport there and are cheap..... people get "creative"... should an occasion needing to move something.

In N.America, and most other places of the world, when people get creative in the vehicular manner.... some people get kinda worried.....It happens.... ehhh...

A few examples..... take it for what is worth.....

Hey this guy definitely has a set of pipes on him......

A simple as gathering firewood......for many______(insert item you wish, "years" offhand comes to mind)

Picking up a few things from the market

Bringing in the days haul or a simple delivery down the way.....you be the judge.....

Traffic got you down...I know what you mean.....take a load off dont stress it....walk it off....

Hey this guy didnt stress at all and look what a cushy job he got.....

So in conclusion, to the neigh-sayer's, I say do it(however do it safely)....The aforementioned descriptions shown are for pure educational purpose only.

Rig up lights( dont forget side light as the distance is quite long) and have it to the frame, as if it were a regular motorcycle trailer. Just watch you distances and most likely dont ride at night.

Hmmmm- Looking at pic 3- I think I know where my stash went now.....

 

[firemanjim]

Dohh! You dope, thats greenS...... (the veggie kind) ..... NOT .......

 

[Poboy kartman]

Dohh! You dope, thats greenS...... (the veggie kind) ..... NOT .......

Yeah and I'm thinking the guy in the last picture was eating a bunch of those greenS while he was making those pillows.

 

[machinist@large]

Hmmmm- Looking at pic 3- I think I know where my stash went now.....

Dohh! You dope, thats greenS...... (the veggie kind) ..... NOT .......

Yeah and I'm thinking the guy in the last picture was eating a bunch of those greenS while he was making those pillows.

:toetap05: :toetap05: Man, I'm glad I've got a good pair of boots; I just hope J has a good set of nose clips, the way you guys are stinking up his workspace.....

 

[J_Walker]

hahaha, its all good!

It seems like every time I come up with an idea/project. I get some sort of job to be completed, before I have time to even start my project.. hopefully Saturday I at least get some time in to go buy some steel..

 

[J_Walker]

Wait.. I might have an idea.. it's a long shot, but it might work...
Would you say you could easily tap into these three engine mounts (extending them outwards) without interfering with your brake leg?
View attachment 43832

If so, I would need you to take some measurements,
recess diameter, bolt diameter, all possible distances and such...

'sid

And no, the top one would be the only free one.. the middle one my leg covers, and bottom one the brake lever would knock into..