Bigger motorbike (1 Viewer)

[Jofang]

I am an avid restorer of boxer BMW's and have two on the go at present but sadly, none will fit into our Hymer garage as they're all about a foot too long. I'm toying with the idea of removing the front wheel once inside the garage, which would be just enough to close the garage doors. Support brackets are no problem, as I'll make whatever I need and I have 600kg weight capacity to play with. I'm wondering if anyone else has done anything like this before?

 

[David and Sally]

Sounds like a lot of trouble unless you are going to use the bike a lot once the wheel is back on.

I used a Motolug trailer for a few years. Yes, I had to tow a trailer but it was so easy to load and unload.

 

[PP Bear]

I am an avid restorer of boxer BMW's and have two on the go at present but sadly, none will fit into our Hymer garage as they're all about a foot too long. I'm toying with the idea of removing the front wheel once inside the garage, which would be just enough to close the garage doors. Support brackets are no problem, as I'll make whatever I need and I have 600kg weight capacity to play with. I'm wondering if anyone else has done anything like this before?

Just make it work for you, regardless of what the Fun community says, then enjoy the travels, post loads of pictures and stuff and make us all jealous.

Or as Dave said above, get a trailer if that suits.

Personally I’d go for removing the wheel

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[The Coops]

What about the brake calipers and hoses which would be unsupported, the possibility that the pads and pistons may pop out if not held open add to this struggling with wheels removal in a confined space plus a massive chunk of payload off the van and all behind the rear axle etc, get a trailer and a big lock far easier

 

[Geistguy]

Heck Jofang that's a hell of a lump to get into the garage. Why not get a lighter bike just for the motorhome ?

Following a recent severe injury (ladder not bike !) I recently had to swap my cherished Africa Twin to a much lighter bike, to be honest the lighter bike is so much easier to manoeuvre and handles brilliantly.

 

[Jofang]

What about the brake calipers and hoses which would be unsupported, the possibility that the pads and pistons may pop out if not held open add to this struggling with wheels removal in a confined space plus a massive chunk of payload off the van and all behind the rear axle etc, get a trailer and a big lock far easier

Thanks for your reply. Taking the wheel out & refitting is so easy on boxers and I have plywood spacers in the workshop that fit between the brake calipers, which remain on the forks.

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[Jofang]

Heck Jofang that's a hell of a lump to get into the garage. Why not get a lighter bike just for the motorhome ?

Following a recent severe injury (ladder not bike !) I recently had to swap my cherished Africa Twin to a much lighter bike, to be honest the lighter bike is so much easier to manoeuvre and handles brilliantly.

I've thought about a Grom or Vanvan 200 and even a 650 single Suzy DR but the simplicity and repairability by the roadside of the boxers keep pulling me in that direction as well as having the bikes already & not needing to buy another. Nice bike Africa twin.

 

[Stealaway]

Thanks for your reply. Taking the wheel out & refitting is so easy on boxers and I have plywood spacers in the workshop that fit between the brake calipers, which remain on the forks.

I think it might get a real pain taking it in and out - unless you are staying for at least a few day.
I take a bigger bike to the IOM but it come out for the entire fortnight.
I think you will find a Vanvan and Grom will be underpowered especially for two.
Have you thought about a classic two stroke?

 

[jongood]

Thanks for your reply. Taking the wheel out & refitting is so easy on boxers and I have plywood spacers in the workshop that fit between the brake calipers, which remain on the forks.

I wonder if you could fix a track to the garage floor and bolt the front spindle to a trolley, bit out there but something I've frequently wondered about.

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[Jofang]

I think it might get a real pain taking it in and out - unless you are staying for at least a few day.
I take a bigger bike to the IOM but it come out for the entire fortnight.
I think you will find a Vanvan and Grom will be underpowered especially for two.
Have you thought about a classic two stroke?

Thanks Stealaway. My thoughts are wide open at this time. I'm also an IOM fan, but the Manx not the TT. However, I just can't see me doing the IOM on a Grom. Which bigger bike do you take to IOM?

 

[Jofang]

I wonder if you could fix a track to the garage floor and bolt the front spindle to a trolley, bit out there but something I've frequently wondered about.

Thanks Jongood. I'm thinking along similar lines. With the boxer front wheel out, the balance of the centre stand moves to the rear wheel, so there's no vertical load to be carried, it's all about lateral load when the mhome is braking. I'm sure that what I want to do is doable but I wondered if it had been done before.

 

[Sunseeker 115]

Heck Jofang that's a hell of a lump to get into the garage. Why not get a lighter bike just for the motorhome ?

Following a recent severe injury (ladder not bike !) I recently had to swap my cherished Africa Twin to a much lighter bike, to be honest the lighter bike is so much easier to manoeuvre and handles brilliantly.

Hi in a similiar situation to you have to replace my NTV 650 as finding it heavy, just wondered what you replaced your twinkie with?

Jofang just do what ever you can to take your bike with you on your travels

Thanks

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[Carpmart]

Do whatever you need to to take the bike you want to take is my view.

Near on 250kg of scooter in my garage. I’ve at least a mm to spare on the length.

 

[jongood]

Thanks Jongood. I'm thinking along similar lines. With the boxer front wheel out, the balance of the centre stand moves to the rear wheel, so there's no vertical load to be carried, it's all about lateral load when the mhome is braking. I'm sure that what I want to do is doable but I wondered if it had been done before.

there was a post on here from someone who had made a snall platform that he pushed his scooter front wheel on that ran in aluminium angle.
Ive wondered about using inverted sliding door track as tbe wheel would then be captive

 

[jongood]

Post in thread 'Vespa 300 - garage door size' https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/vespa-300-garage-door-size.266480/post-5135466

i searched on my little pony

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[Stealaway]

Thanks Stealaway. My thoughts are wide open at this time. I'm also an IOM fan, but the Manx not the TT. However, I just can't see me doing the IOM on a Grom. Which bigger bike do you take to IOM?

Recently I've only been going to the Classic TT/Manx---- Getting old now

I always liked two strokes and an air cooled RD350 was enough for 90mph down the Foxdale to Castletown road - two up.
150kg was light enough for our Burstner van garage and not too hard to lift in and out.


Old two stroke - and an even older one

 

[jongood]

Recently I've only been going to the Classic TT/Manx---- Getting old now

I always liked two strokes and an air cooled RD350 was enough for 90mph down the Foxdale to Castletown road - two up.
150kg was light enough for our Burstner van garage and not too hard to lift in and out.


Old two stroke - and an even older one

View attachment 725526

great bikes. I remember losing my then girlfriend off the back of mine when I was popping a wheelie aged 18.

 

[Geistguy]

Hi in a similiar situation to you have to replace my NTV 650 as finding it heavy, just wondered what you replaced your twinkie with?

Jofang just do what ever you can to take your bike with you on your travels

Thanks

I'm blessed, or cursed, with very long legs so seat to footpeg distance is a priority, after looking at several makes and models the Kawasaki Versys 650gt was closest match to my Africa Twin. So far I have raised the seat and fitted bar risers which has made it even better. It's about 40kg lighter and handles brilliantly, so far I have not missed the power of the AT.

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[ChrisL]

I saw a Carthago M liner with a hydratrail with a BMW on it, it took up very little space behind, and once the bike was off it hinged upwards so took up even less space on the pitch.

I have an SV650 in my Hymer garage.

 

[Stealaway]

Thanks Stealaway. My thoughts are wide open at this time. I'm also an IOM fan, but the Manx not the TT. However, I just can't see me doing the IOM on a Grom. Which bigger bike do you take to IOM?

Its the 100 anniversary of the Manx this year. Hopefully I'll be taking this ---- if its finished

 

[mofurt]

There's a few companies doing one man loaders for pickup trucks, if you are happy fabricating things then I'd be looking at them for inspiration. They all have some sort of front wheel holder that could be replaced with an axle or other clamp for the forks. Dealing with all the assembly/disassembly outside your garage then having a track to pull it up seems like a good way of avoiding tipovers, and makes it easy to handle a heavier machine.

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[TrudeandDall]

An Avid restorer of BMW boxers : A man after my own heart!

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Honda CRM MK3 , will go anywhere, quickly if asked, and two up, also light, and the most reliable of the CRM range, Don't get the AR, to faddy, and too much tech on board, unless you can find a factory 400cc. Or the CRF range.
Mike.