Topic: Trailer hitch on your CB?

[nick5446]

Hi - I'd like to add a trailer hitch to my '78 CB750 to pull one of those mini pop-up campers. I've already got a sidecar on it, so might as well go full idiot.

I found one for sale on 4 Star Tools, which I've never heard of before. It seems expensive, and I question if it will actually fit based on the questions asked. https://www.4startools.com/H750H-Trailer-Hitches-For-750cc-Honda-Motorcycles-H750H.htm

Anyone have another source? I'd also appreciate any photos as I'm not opposed to building my own.

Many thanks!

[nick5446]

Should add, I found this thread from a few years ago, but it went off the rails quickly http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,152754.0.html

[bryanj]

If you have a sidecar you could fabricate a bracket bolted to that frame

[nick5446]

Yeah I do think that's probably path of least resistance. May also add weight (tongue weight) to the sidecar side and make things more stable...hmmmm....

[BenelliSEI]

From a design perspective, shouldn’t the trailer be directly behind the motorcycle? You’re not the first to do this, I’d search some other sites and see what others are doing..... Be interesting to see what you find.

[nick5446]

I'm not sure. Adding weight to the bike and not the sidecar is a big no-no, which is why you'll never see a rider and passenger on a bike with an empty sidecar, so my inclination is to put the hitch either behind the sidecar or on the sidecar frame in between the bike and sidecar.

You're right; obviously it's been done in the past. There aren't tons of images on the internet, but I'm seeing it done all three ways (behind bike, behind sidecar and in between).

[BenelliSEI]

My concern would be adding drag anywhere but through the centre line of the motorcycle. You might end up fighting to keep it straight?

[bryanj]

Its a sidecar, you are always fighting to keep it straight!

[BenelliSEI]

Its a sidecar, you are always fighting to keep it straight!

Maybe hang it off the left side and find some equality?! Mmmmm......

[newday777]

Its a sidecar, you are always fighting to keep it straight!

Maybe hang it off the left side and find some equality?! Mmmmm......

Nope. Off the bike or centered between the bike and car to narrow the track.
Centering between the car will negate flying the car.

[BenelliSEI]

Its a sidecar, you are always fighting to keep it straight!

Maybe hang it off the left side and find some equality?! Mmmmm......

Nope. Off the bike or centered between the bike and car to narrow the track.
Centering between the car will negate flying the car.

...... that was a “joke suggestion”.

[RAFster122s]

Just re-engineer it to have a trike type rear axle using extended wheelbase and a Goldwing/touring comfort seating for any passenger. Behind the passenger and below them put your storage/cargo hauling setup. Just run some physics equations to ensure your load is not going to lighten the front wheel making it dangerous. With fiberglass and kevlar and carbon fiber you can layup a pleasing design over foam blocks carved to shape. Templates can help you achieve symmetrical sides along with careful measurement and layout.
This would give you the capacity you seek without the drawbacks of a sidecar...only providing the negatives of a trike setup.