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Neat little motorcyle trailer



We just got back form our week in the Sierras.
Jeanne is recovering from jaw surgery, and had
suggested we not take Flash :-(

So we ended up purchasing the "Trailer In A Bag".
Sounds weird, works great!

It takes about five minutes to set up the trailer, taking your time.
I'd guess about 10-15 minutes from trailer in the bag to ready to roll.
I tie down the front end with ratcheting straps, the sides with regular
motorcycle tie-downs using nylon straps to go around the
rear subframe where the two holes are just below the riders seat area, 
and finally one strap that holds the rear wheel
to the trailer. It is a very secure setup, and the bike doesn't
wiggle around at all.

The great thing about this trailer is that it dismantles, stores in a big
duffel bag, and you can carry it around in the trunk of your car if needed.
This means that I can not only take it on vacation when Jeanne isn't up
to driving the car, but I can also drop off the bike for service, put the
trailer in the trunk, and come back and get it when done. Don't have
to fiddle with alternate transportation. Also, should I break down,
(semper paratus as we Coasties used to say (always prepared)),
I should be able to phone home, and have Jeanne put the trailer
bits in the trunk, and come and get me.

Last year, when Flash sprang a fuel leak, I was quoted $230
to tow it to the dealer. That's nearly 1/4 the cost of trailer.
I think I'll also trailer him to my Class school in November.
Murphy seems to pick on the unprepared, so hopefully this
will help keep Flash upright for the class.

By the time I got done, I spent around $1500. ~$1000 for the trailer,
with shipping and the handlebar strap (allowing the tie-downs
to circumvent the fairing), and $500 in trailer hitch, electronics
package for the lighting (the car has sensors for when lights burn out 
etc. so I needed the electronics), and installation, plus the straps.
I made my own sidestand support for about $25. It looks a bit
hokey, but dismantles a bit, and was less than half the cost
from the manufacturer (who coincidentally was out of stock).

I'll send a bunch of pictures to Eric, depicting the whole process.
Hopefully you won't be too bored, sorry if you are.

I just need to get the rear of our car (Lexus ES300) a little bit
higher, then all will be right with the world. I've been advised to
just get new and heavy duty struts, and to find air shocks.
I'm still not certain of my approach. I don't think you can replace
struts with shocks. Man, I hate conflicting advice!
When loaded with all the vacation junk, plus the trailer, we scrape
through driveway dips etc. Maybe I'll just try and reduce the 
trailer tongue weight a bit. Anyone know the prescribed weight,
is it a fixed amount, or a ratio of the total load?

Jeanne is delighted with the setup, and I am too. If I had it all to do
again, I would. A sure sign of a good setup.

Just used it again today. I bit the bullet, and on the advice of my
dealer, rather than replaced the suspension with expensive, though more
adjustable, units, why not just get the stuff I've already got tuned
specifically for me and my riding style. I took the bike to Lindeman
Engineering in Campbell (south of San Francisco near San Jose). I'll
report my findings later. It'll take a week or more .............
The trailer worked great. Took the bike off and stowed the thing in
the trunk in less than ten minutes. I love it!

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