Hi everyone. I found this site after purchasing an 03 Silverwing from a local physician who dropped it on its left hand side. Damage was only cosmetic and jumped at the more than fair price that he was asking. 5,000 miles and it's a red one. This is my 27th two wheeler and am really impressed with the SW. My first bike was a 73 BMW r60/5, asst dirt bikes, raced YSR's, a GSXR 1000, and the garage now has 3 Hondas, the SW, an XR250l and an Elite 150. Also enjoy cycling and kayaking. So....it's mid winter, and I read about Dennis Berney's trailer hitch. Ordered a Harbor Freight mini trailer, narrowed it 6 in's, lenghthened the tow bar 2 ft, and now tow my bicycle and kayak with the SW. Tows great. Dennis's hitch is really well designed and is a work of art. Went on in minutes. Now if someone would tell me how to send a pic , I'll post a few. Thanks,and hope all of you have a good riding season. Jeff the computer newbie.

Jeff,

Welcome. Check this thread for image posting help: http://www.silverwing600.com/tips-on-using-this-site-f8/instructions-to-create-your-gallery-upload-pictures-t87.htm

Thanks Dale. Just heading to work, will try as soon as I get home. Thanks again, Jeff.

As per your request. Pictures of your scooter and they look cool:









Thank's Jeff for the kind words.

That is a really nice setup. I'll bet you get some second looks going down the road.

I like that!

Thanks to you for the compliments. My first day out was last friday, and spent the afternoon trying to see where I might have any problems. Low speed and high speed handling were spot on. Had to remind myself when parking tho. Excellent visibility with the Honda mirrors of the trailer without readjustment. I did remove one of the two leaf springs per each side, as the trailer weight of 110lbs and the kayak @ 35 and the bike @ 35lbs, The ride is still too stiff. Lowered the air pressure a bit. That helped. All in all, I think that if you were thinking about a trailer, it's a hoot. The Harbor Freight mini was $179 around Xmas. The hitch looks great without the trailer. You sure wouldn't have to narrow the trailer and axle, but I had a new blade and needed the project to get me through a tough winter. And yes, you sure get the smiles and thumbs up. Thanks to all and especially to Dennis for the engineering and excellent craftsmanship of the hitch. Jeff.

Hi Bill. I'm going to guess till I find a neighbor and a bathroom scale. The shipping weight was 129lbs. With the axle and frame narrowing, I bet 115lbs. I did add the extra length to the tongue.....shoot....were probably back up to 120 or so. Moving it around by hand is a breeze, it is really well balanced. A deck of plywood, another 5lbs?. I really expected to feel the trailer with the throttle, and yes you notice it, but in no way is the SW laboring with 200lbs or so. She still rips! Jeff.

I too made a trailer from HF, and narrowed it. As you have found the springs are too stiff.
I found some slipper springs wit a lower total weight and put them on. They were a great improvement over tht HF springs even with leaf removal. it even moves with hand pressure on fender.

I had to redrill mounting holes and I also recentered axle to more evenly distribute trailer toungue weight.

Here is the springs :
http://www.truckspring.com/trailer-spring-slipper-radius-end-mts-176.html

Also order the front hanger, as the bolt is different diameter and is too wide for new spring, and I used the same rear hanger which is too wide.

Hope this helps.
MaxB (who pulls his trailer with a VTX 1300 presently)

Jeff,

Welcome to the site and thanks for the pics. I would really like to get a hitch and trailer one day and it looks like yours is a great setup.

Thanks for the welcome JeffR, and MaxB I will follow your suggestion about the leaf springs. Your help is greatly appreciated. Jeff.

That is amazing!!! I bet parking would be tricky sometimes. It does look strange to be able to carry all of that. Looks like your are someone who can't decide what hobby they like best. Go get 'um...

Jeff, nice looking trailer. We will know it's you if we ever pass on the road! Dick....

Hi Driftwood, Hi Dickie. Thanks for the comments. Ive always thought that the Helix looked like the perfect scooter. Plenty of power, low seat height, and it's a Honda. The reason that I carry the bike and kayak, is that I've found that I can combine the two sports. Chain up the bicycle somewhere downstream, scooter up river, leave the SW and trailer, paddle downstream to the bike, chain up the kayak, and pedal back to the SW. Scoot downstream and pick up the kayak. phew.. Sounds nuts, but its a great combination. If you ever get a chance to try a kayak, especially one of the wide sit-on-tops, dont pass it up. Super stable and great to fish from. None of that upside down kayaking for me. Have a good summer, Jeff.

I've posted my scooter trailer ideas over in the Silverwing chat area http://www.silverwing600.com/silver-wing-topics-f3/trailer-to-pull-behind-silverwing-t1430.htm.

Mainly I impoved upon the harborfreight trailer kit by using less steel, more aluminium and a swivel hitch arrangement. Little things help also, you don't need two slipper springs for each wheel.

Hi Toymeister. Thanks for the ideas....I'm heading for your improvements in the chat area. Jeff.