Pacific Coast Trip August 2008

[Roostre]

Hello all. I have been lurking and learning here for a while. The forum has proven to be a great resource. I have never been much of a trailer fan. After doing many night of research on this site and others, I decided it was time to test the waters.

As a group of friends (3 couples) we decided about a year ago to cast off for 9 days and see some territory that none of us had ever ventured to: The Pacific Coast/Oregon/Washington and California. We were a fairly inexperienced group as far as motocamping was concerned, so we planned a few weekend "test" camps. My wife and I also did a weeklong trip to Death Valley in March 2008 to see if we had the right stuff.:)

The Death Valley trip was a great success! We had a lot of fun and thoroughly enjoyed it. We learned some lessons about our bikes range loaded and just how "rough" we liked it. This is how we traveled for the DV trip:

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll83/Roostre_photo/LunarCrater.jpg

It was top heavy. The suspension was taxed to its limits. The sleeping bags and camera bag acted like a sail in the wind. Fuel economy dropped from our normal 46-50 mpg to a dismal 34-38 mpg. Range was reduced from 175 miles to only 120 or so. The front wheel lifted accelerating into corners and skipped across the road like a record player needle. (That was kinda fun!)

Later this summer on a solo trip I was on some fun Montana/Wyoming twisties going over Beartooth Pass when passed by a guy with a bike similar to mine pulling a single wheel trailer and running with two crotch rockets. I followed them for quite a while marveling at how well the trailer followed the bike through the corners. The load was carried low and behind the bike instead of high up in the panniers...Hmmm.

In preparation for our 9 day trip down the coast I new we would need a bit more space.The love of my life has some..how do I say this??.. long term but not immediately life threatening type medical issues. The necessities that she needs to carry for 9 days completely fills one saddlebag. My initial thought was to buy some larger aluminum panniers. The cost would be at least $500 and would only net us 14 liters more capacity. I am pretty handy (if not handsome) so why not build myself a trailer??

After much research I decided that a single wheel would carry everything we needed to carry and more. I set the maximum loaded weight at 1/3 of the bikes GVWR or about 300 lbs fully loaded. I already had most of the materials that went into the build laying about my shop. :D I always wanted a teardrop!!

I wont bore you with every detail, but here are a few shots of the process:

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll83/Roostre_photo/MC%20trailer%20build/DSC00571.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll83/Roostre_photo/MC%20trailer%20build/DSC00577.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll83/Roostre_photo/MC%20trailer%20build/DSC00583.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll83/Roostre_photo/MC%20trailer%20build/DSC00610.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll83/Roostre_photo/MC%20trailer%20build/DSC00623.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll83/Roostre_photo/MC%20trailer%20build/DSC00629.jpg

More to come as soon as the admin approves the thread!!:eek:

[Trailace]

Welcome to the site and great Thread.
You sure had that load sitting high, I bet you got some funny looks on that trip. :eek:

[Tx White Knight]

Welcome Roostre

Nice write up, I am in the process of doing my 2 wheel trailer now, I hope to have it done next weekend :)

[msscull]

Welcome to the forum!!!

[Mellow]

Welcome to the site

Great pics, not a bad looking trailer as well.

[Ironheadziggy76]

Welcome to the forum! Great pics and nice job on the trailer. I love to see home built equipment!

[Black and Blue]

Welcome. Nice pics. I love to see different ways of moving equipment. Hope your trailer works out.
Black and Blue:)

[motomac]

Welcome to the site!!! You could make a small fortune selling those trailers on the ADV Rider and KLR boards.

[Roostre]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome! Like I said I have been lurking for quite a while and enjoy the good attitudes and camaraderie that I read here.

Testing of the trailer went slowly. I had never towed anything with a bike before. The suspension came from an old mountain bike I had laying around. After a few rides I felt comfortable enough to take my wife for a ride... She jokingly told our dogs to get in...which they obediently did!

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll83/Roostre_photo/MC%20trailer%20build/DSC00627.jpg

We actually took them for a ride up into the canyons nearby after securing a cargo net over the top. They seemed to enjoy it! Lots of people pointing and waving, etc... Our own little freak parade.:D

It was decided that the lid should be 1/4" plywood with aluminum sheet and trim. I added some folding table legs from the local trailer supply store and put a waterlox finish on the inside for the tabletop. It would make the trip nicer to have a table to eat and cook on.

http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/361954047_Bo477-M.jpg

(Some of pics are out of chronological order as can be seen by watching the stickers)

[Roostre]

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll83/Roostre_photo/MC%20trailer%20build/DSC00642.jpg

I pulled the trailer everywhere for a few weeks as I added LED taillights, a Hopkins isolator and tested, tested, tested. The last thing I wanted to do was find out it wasn't going to work 500+ miles from home! After all, we had been planning this trip for over a year!

Before we left, I added one of those sticker maps of the USA. The map is marked based on where we have ridden with or without the trailer. Here was the first new state added with the trailer!

http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/360491599_Bq3F8-S-1.jpg

http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/360491589_j9HDY-M-1.jpg

We had made it to Oregon! Now it was Astoria or bust! Our first night of camping was spent at Farewell Bend in OR. Here we are as we finish packing for the long day ahead:

http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/360493404_jquV6-M-1.jpg

As you can see my cohorts have their gear stacked quite high!! It was about this time we began to notice something quite amazing. We were stopping much more than I am used to because the Yamaha could only go 100 miles or so before hitting reserve. Our average speeds on I-84 were around 75 miles per hour with an occasional burst up to 80. The first full tank of interstate riding I calculated that I was getting 51.7 mpg. The other two bikes were getting 36 and 38 respectively. While theirs were personal worsts (blamed on the high cross winds we had been bucking all day), mine was a personal best! I figured it was a fluke and would re-check it at the next stop: 51.9 mpg!! Wow. What was going on? The only thing I can figure out is that the trailer is shaped right to clean up the dirty air behind the bike. It is narrower than the bike and rounded to a kammback style teardrop.

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll83/Roostre_photo/MC%20trailer%20build/DSC00642.jpg

The gas mileage remained over 50 all the way to Portland. From there we switched to riding minor highways at much lower speeds. Lower speeds should equal even better fuel economy right?:D Wrong.:mad: For some reason (probably has to with the gearing of the bike) I lost 4-5 mpg and dropped to 44-47 mpg, which is about my normal unloaded average. Still, I was pulling a lot more weight than normal! The trailer was handling better than expected and we were getting to tour some of Oregon's most beautiful countryside.

http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/360496377_9dZD9-S-1.jpg

http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/360500332_F3JVy-S-1.jpg

http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/360501581_AyRY4-M-1.jpg

Action shot of trailer!

http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/360501589_dqLrF-M-1.jpg

[Roostre]

We often ate breakfast at little mom and pops diners along the way. We lucked out and always found good food and friendly folks. This breakfast was particularly good!:)

http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/360507128_btp3a-M-1.jpg

It really made Bull happy!:D

http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/360507103_wh7W6-S-1.jpg

We had spent the night at Fort Stevens, at the mouth of the Columbia where it meets the Pacific. The camp was nice, but it had rained all night, so I didn't get any pictures.:o A brisk morning hike through the woods was just the thing for this desert-dweller! I had never seen the beauty of the coastal woods in the rain before. It was amazing to walk in the canopy and take in the all of the greenery! Ferns, moss, the wind calling through the trees; I had never seen such a lush forest up close. It was almost disappointing to have to ride away from it so soon. I could only hope the rest of the coast was as beautiful.

http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/360514444_enzMh-M-1.jpg

[Mr. Guy]

Welcome,

Nice report and trailer.

Guy

[Roostre]

Our little tour took us north across the Atroria bridge and into Washington to check out some lighthouses. A drizzly day for mid August, but the coast can be a crap shoot when it comes to weather.
http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/360510985_f2wff-M-1.jpg

http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/360519391_rwNUD-M-1.jpg

After the full tour of the lighthouse we wandered back down to Astoria to see their famous column and to visit the Marine Museum.

http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/359892535_jcaR7-M-1.jpg

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http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/359900557_9DzrV-M-1.jpg

The area is known as "The graveyard of the Pacific", as there have been over 700 ships sunk near there. Many of the displays in the museum come from these scuttled boats. The coast guard uses the rough head waters of the Columbia as a training ground to teach extreme rescue techniques. If you're ever in the area its worth the stop.

http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/359903955_S7tFm-M-1.jpg

http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/359903966_ixtoj-M-1.jpg

http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/359908403_jtaz9-M-1.jpg

[Roostre]

The next few days were spent running south down the Oregon coast in an attempt to outrun a large storm that had moved in from the Gulf of Alaska. 3 days of driving wind and rain left us a bit soggy, even with our rain gear. (We figured out halfway through the trip we were wearing it wrong!:o) We opted to motel it for a few nights in order to dry out and keep from getting sick. The locals told us that the weather we were experiencing was more typical of winter! :confused: As a result of the rain, the cameras didn't see much action unless we were at a stop.:(

This road up to one of the lighthouses was typical of the trip: (FUN:D)
http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/360532658_evXbq-L-1.jpg

Cape Meares:

http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/360539062_iKiLn-L-1.jpg

One of our last really wet days we stopped for some fish and chips at Mo's.

http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/360544086_EfDtw-L-1.jpg

The further south we went, the better the weather. The storm stayed north of the Humboldt Redwoods, but the fog was so thick that we didn't see much beyond the sides of the road.

http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/360544098_YwCfF-L-1.jpg

That was much better than getting drenched all, so the groups mood improved. The future looked bright. Heck, we might even get to see a sunset on the Pacific if we played our cards right!

http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/360548091_wDZj8-S-1.jpg


The sun starts to shine at last!!

http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/360560159_PHPEn-M-1.jpg

And what could be cooler than driving through a giant tree??

http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/360562088_6XyKJ-L-1.jpg

[Trailace]

Great report I know there has to be more.:D

Joe and I were there in 2006.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/94217674_DeJEz-M.jpg

[Roostre]

Our first clear view of the ocean. Just north of Fort Bragg.:)
http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/360567523_VuvXE-L-1.jpg

http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/360569078_fcNxB-L-1.jpg

We could finally get back to our plan. A barbeque on the beach was hastily planned for that night. :tent1:

http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/359923419_yvrFU-L-1.jpg

Our hard riding had paid off:

http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/360573373_saKgr-L-1.jpg

http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/360575889_NBSH4-L-1.jpg

[Roostre]

The beach, the stars, the food, the company. It was all perfect. We settled into our tent and I slept the deepest sleep of the whole trip. I was awoken by my wife screaming somewhere in the night. She had gotten up to use the facilities and when she returned a raccoon was willing to face her down to keep the bag of chips we accidentally left on the table... When I got up he scampered into the trees and watched us carefully for a long time. The next morning his greasy potato chip paw prints were everywhere!

http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/359938378_VYCNw-M-1.jpg

http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/359923430_vTv8H-M-1.jpg

Wake up sleepy head!!!
http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/359923439_A72db-S-1.jpg

We romped around on the beach all morning. Us desert dwellers never get to see what many take for granted. The surf, the tide, the shells, the plants and animals. It was all like we were visiting another planet. I had been to beaches before, but this one was different. More rugged, wild, and beautiful.

http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/359923445_XVzPR-L-1.jpg

IF ignorance was bliss, we had found it.

http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/359926838_RhSdv-L-1.jpg

Yes. I hauled a kite 2500 miles just to fly it on the beach!!:D:rolleyes:

http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/359940894_DSjWY-L-1.jpg

WHAT THE HECK IS THAT STUFF??:confused:
http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/359955143_omLgV-M-1.jpg
http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/359955154_Bf658-M-1.jpg

[Roostre]

http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/359960176_AEjZw-M-1.jpg

Time to head out! One of our group really wanted to see the Golden Gate Bridge, so we made that our goal. The scenery down HWY 1 is amazing.
http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/360575894_rq64s-L-1.jpg

This little gas station specialized in motorcycle work. They had a few great examples of classic Ducatis and even this old Norton.
http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/360580695_WK9S5-L-1.jpg

http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/360575897_eAjY6-L-1.jpg

The day was perfect for riding. Cool, calm and not a cloud overhead. We may just be able to get a clear view of the Golden Gate bridge!! NOT:confused:

http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/360698908_TWJuv-L-1.jpg

All around the skies were clear, but the bridge was fogged in good. Still, we had made it!!

http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/360698918_YziSw-M-1.jpg


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[Roostre]

On the way into San Francisco we tried our hand at lane splitting. Man, what a rush that is! Especially with a trailer in tow. (I'll try and get some pictures of this.) On the way out of the city, we took the Bay Bridge, and were treated to a crazy motorcycle show. Motorcycles were flying up between the cars at supersonic speeds. You'd just get a glimpse as they darted through the cars a few lanes over, revving their motors to clear the path, swerving and darting in and out at speed. Yeah, we had lane split, but nothing like these guys were doing. Insane? Yeah, but it sure looked fun!:D Dinner and a hotel in Vallejo ended our tour de San Fran.
http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/360796105_vbFhQ-S-1.jpg

It was now Saturday. Where had a whole week gone so fast?:confused::(
We had to make it home by sometime Sunday to return to work. Damn. We all started to feel it. The end was coming, but no one wanted it to end yet. We planned a route based on the off hand comment of a drunk guy coming out of the hotel and seeing our bikes. He said "You guys heading up 88 tomorrow? You'll only see about 10,000 other bikes if you do!" So we scoured the map and sure enough 88 would take us right where we wanted to head: Lake Tahoe. Our pace was going to have to be a little faster to get home on time. After all, we still had a whole lotta desert to cross in Nevada and Utah. We didn't get many pictures, but I did have to get a shot of my rear tire after the run. With trailer in tow I had managed to blister my chicken strips!!
http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/360797979_6eF8U-L-1.jpg

(Also a good shot of the hitch.) The trailer handled very very well. I passed a bunch of bikes and kept up a brisk pace. (For me. I am no racer.)
The trailer tire was doing remarkably well. I had thought that it would be the weak link because it was off of a moped. This shot shows it had little wear even 2000+ miles into the trip!
http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/360797985_fXGF2-L-1.jpg

Had to stop at the Chocolate Factory between Carson City and Reno!
http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/360797988_66fgo-L-1.jpg

A wrong turn led us to this::eek:
http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/360581927_vFjT2-L-1.jpg

http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/360802405_THbpU-L-1.jpg

http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/360802410_wvb7p-S-1.jpg
Not exactly:marshm1: ;)

[Roostre]

All that was left was the arduous traverse of Nevada from Reno to Salt Lake. We wisely opted to leave early Sunday morning. Not many photos ops across this area, but here are a few.
http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/360806722_2LvNU-M-1.jpg

http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/360806726_8CfEr-L-1.jpg

http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/360810452_GNfAs-L-1.jpg

http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/360810459_YHGek-L-1.jpg

When we see these mountains we know we are home!!

http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/360816803_kS4Em-L-1.jpg

It looks like the teenagers we left at home are still alive. Barely. It musta been a hell of a party. They even mopped the floors! :D

http://lawrence96.smugmug.com/photos/360816818_zdVhb-L-1.jpg


THE END.

[Trailace]

:hatw1: Great trip!!!!!!!!!!!

Might just have to go back over that way next year.:D

[Tx White Knight]

Great write up, thanks:)

:tent8:

[Ironheadziggy76]

Great Ride Report Roostre, the wife and I went to Cali last year for our 25th wedding anniversary and stayed 10 days from Napa to Lucia in the Big Sur area. We had to fly out but I did manage to rent a bike for 3 of those days. No way was I going to be on the Pacific Coast Highway without a bike. It was the most beautiful riding I have done so far.

[Blues Traveler]

What a GREAT GREAT !!! trip report!! I didn't want it to end. Man, you've really out done youself with that trailer. And your write up with pictures, top notch.

I've been collecting parts and have drawn up plans to build a trailer for sometime. I think you've just pushed me that much closer to getting started on it.

I've just got to have me a trailer.:cool:

[les1234]

Looks like a really great trip! And an interesting trailer! did you make the hitch too, or is it purchased? And it appears to use the rear axle bolt for the pivot...I don't think the stock one would work, where do you get one?

[Roostre]

Looks like a really great trip! And an interesting trailer! did you make the hitch too, or is it purchased? And it appears to use the rear axle bolt for the pivot...I don't think the stock one would work, where do you get one?

Some bikes (such as mine) use a hollow rear axle. The pivot is actually a piece of 5/8" all-thread with stainless double-nuts on each end.

I made the hitch...
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll83/Roostre_photo/MC%20trailer%20build/DSC00575.jpg

I have had that bender for a while. I seldom use it, but when I do it more than makes up for the space it takes to store.

On some bikes you may have to come up with a custom rear axle bolt- One that you can tighten normally, but with "ears" sticking out for the trailer mount.

[Roostre]

What a GREAT GREAT !!! trip report!! I didn't want it to end. Man, you've really out done youself with that trailer. And your write up with pictures, top notch.

I've been collecting parts and have drawn up plans to build a trailer for sometime. I think you've just pushed me that much closer to getting started on it.

I've just got to have me a trailer.:cool:

Thanks BT...your set-up was actually one of the inspirations that set me down this path!! I wanted to remain somewhat minimalist while still taking along a couple of creature comforts. (Camp stove & real chairs!!:D) The goal also included being able to keep the riding fun and spirited with or without the trailer.

I have been home from the trip for two weeks now. Every time I start to think that its time to unhook the trailer another reason to leave it hitched pops up. It is very useful. Transforms the bike into a little truck. We haul groceries, computers, material for work and even the dogs with it. My truck hasn't moved much for months. If the trailer can hold it, I take the bike!

[STrep]

Roostre,

What a great ride report and good pictures. :tent3:Glad you had a blast and kudos to you and your trailer!

[msscull]

Thanks for the great ride report.

Great job on building the trailer.