PULSE AUTOCYCLE NETWORK

Falcon Wing · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Posts: 108 Location: Colorado Springs

Would it be recommended the chain be removed if towing (using the factory tow bar) for long distances?
I have been asked this question several times in the last few days.
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Joel Patton
www.picturetrail.com/pulse199
www.picturetrail.com/falconwing
www.picturetrail.com/falconwing2 (seat bracket build)

RFly2Dive · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 48 Location: Sebastian, Florida

Drop Nelson Locke an eMail...I know he towed his Pulse with a 400cc chain drive from Lauderdale to Daytona using the tow bar and know he did not disconnect the chain...the only thing I remember helping him reconnect was a speaker wire that had come loose...
good luck
r
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Life Begins With A PULSE!!!

steveg · Joined: 12 Nov 2003 Posts: 50 Location: otisco NY

a while back I towed a PULSE from syracuse NY to unicoi TN (700 miles)
with a suzuki swift.. i would reccommend the folowing:
keep the speed at 60 NO MORE.. keep the tires inflated. and lower the outriggers (prevents fishtailing) drive steady and avoid sudden movements.
like towing a boat...haha.. i also towed my litestar 900 miles in one shot with no problems in CANADA, the roads were crap even the major highway to MI CRAP CRAP CRAP, but it towed well.

I would certianly take the chain off (especially on the rougher roads) or you could loose it, or worse yet lock up the rear wheel. be smart and be safe.
i have two tow bars a factory unit, and a home built , the homebuilt is easier to get on and off (two bolts). and i can go in and out of steep driveways without wrecking the nose.. :>)

steveg.
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steve george litestar #009
otisco NY

Nelson Locke · Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2005 4:31 am Post subject: Towing

I towed about 600 miles, used the drop front tow bar. I have both factory tow bars and the very rare Pulse bumper hitch....

I hated the fishtailing BUT I did not let any air out of my shocks, that would have fixed the problem. Had no issues with the chain.

Ralph is right, just a turn signal cable came loose.
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Pulsing with excitement,
Nelson A. Locke

Steve C. Schmidt · Guest

Nelson,

The fish tailing is because the two bolts are not tight. I had the same problem until I made sure the two bolts have washers, lock washers and are tight with no rattle. Mine now tows with no movement.

Nelson Locke · Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2005 8:37 am Post subject: Fishtailing - Steve

Which two bolts? I know its late, are you talking about the outrigger bolts?
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Pulsing with excitement,
Nelson A. Locke

Steve C. Schmidt · Guest

There are two bolts that connect the towbar to the front wheel. They must be tight with no slop, otherwise the Pulse will fishtail.

I towed my Pulse at 70 MPH over 200 miles recently with no problems. I have the Gold Wing 1100cc engine with shaft drive. I put the engine in neutral.

If you have a chain drive motorcycle engine, you may want to remove chain if you are towing a long distance.

Steve C. Schmidt · Guest

Nelson Locke · Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2005 2:33 am Post subject: Towing

Got it now!

Feel pretty stupid actually.

Thank you Steve.
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Pulsing with excitement,
Nelson A. Locke

RON PALMER 154 · Guest

That is a great picture Steve.

Steve C. Schmidt · Guest

Yeah....but if I didn't explain what the drawing was........
someone would get the wrong idea Smile

For those of you that did not go to the rally......you missed a good one.
Put it on your calendar for next year. Meals are almost all provided. Hotel rooms are $55 per night. If a couple of you go together, it's a real bargain. What a great weekend.

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elden simons · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 369 Location: Brampton, Michigan

Steve, that Man-lift, electric platform you used in 2004 couldn't go that high. Must have gotten a newer one, eh? (Eeek!)

Bob Hichborn · Joined: 12 Feb 2004 Posts: 404 Location: Orlando, Fl

For all us Goldwing powered Pulse folks... my Honda mechanic friend informed me that I shouldn't tow the Pulse with the tow bar any extended distances. The reason being that if the engine is not running, then the oil pump is not running and circulating oil throughout the transmission components. Even though the bike is in neutral the transmission still rotates when the rear wheel is spinning. This results in "unprotected" wear of transmission parts and can cause severe damage. Other bikes can remove the chain or belt as a safety measure, but the Goldwing is shaft driven so this option is not available.

Can Pete or others confirm this?

- Bob
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"Everyday you wake up with a Pulse,
is a good day!"

hatfield · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Posts: 60 Location: Muscatine, IA

It will not hurt it.
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Pete Hatfield
Muscatine, IA
www.petehatfield.com

steveg · Joined: 12 Nov 2003 Posts: 50 Location: otisco NY

a friend of mine has a goldwing (older unit) in his three wheeled kit car towd it 1400 miles to daytona for bike week and then drove it back with no problems (except for a worn rear tire)... so towing a pulse unti with a goldwing is not an issue....

back to towing the PULSE... keep it tite (hitch) AND BEFORE you tow get a flashlite and check up under the front nose/just behind the front wheel where the fork unit attached to the front frame..
the two bolts have to be tite.. (to make sure I safety wired mine)

check everything before you tow, and after driving a bit stop and CHECK IT AGIAN...

be safe!
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steve george litestar #009
otisco NY

Bob Hichborn · Joined: 12 Feb 2004 Posts: 404 Location: Orlando, Fl

Guys, thanks for the responses....I feel alittle better about towing it around town.
_________________
"Everyday you wake up with a Pulse,
is a good day!"