Suction Cup Reccomendation Needed

[wildmaninal]

Re: Suction Cup Reccomendation Needed

Of the two designs, I would have to vote for your first one. Even though it would be more weight at least the weight would be evenly distributed.

Geo

I agree with that choice. For something like that to work, you wouldn't half to have heavy steel, you could use light material. You would half to worry about the handle bar's turning radius, and also you would half to worry about the rack getting in the way of your arms.

On the upside you would have a "roll cage" in a sense, if you was to wreck. I don't know how the wind resistance would be on that setup either. How much does the kayak weigh? That would be another problem, being to top heavy.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Suction Cup Reccomendation Needed

O.K. so I rolled back the "Doubting Thomas's" attitude and came up with a workable plan:

1. Build a rack off the back frame of the bike made of aluminum that does all the actual supporting of the boat. That rack would have tie downs to secure the boat to it.

2. Attach a gimbled rod to the tripple tree that attaches to a mount on a forward portion of the boat. This will eliminate the lift problem and the need for a helmet attachment.

You will still need to be mindfull of the fulcrum effect that will be generated by the extra height. Since the added weight will be less than the average passenger without the fluid effects of a passenger it should not be a huge problem to learn to cope with.

I would hang a stop light off the back since the possibility of a rear end collision would be increased by the added length.

 

[salty87]

Re: Suction Cup Reccomendation Needed

i'm thinking there's a reason no one has ever successfully designed a rack above the rider. whether the kayak is right-side up or upside down when you're travelling, there will be significant wind pressures generated. even a basic helmet will start pull on your head around 50mph as lift is generated. the surface area of a helmet is a fraction of a kayak. add some cross winds and you better be holding on tight.

there's so little room for error on a motorcycle with multi-ton vehicles all around you.

personally, i think you'd be better off designing a kayak that can be used as a sidecar. the wheels could come in handy in low water areas, lol.

i wish you luck with your design though.

 

[NoKlu]

Re: Suction Cup Reccomendation Needed

The only problem would be the testing of the carrier. You won't find out it is unsafe until your in the ditch all busted up or you get sucked into oncoming traffic. I think an innovative dolly using lightweight cycle parts and a hitch is the only other safe design other than the sidecar.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Suction Cup Reccomendation Needed

My biggest concerns would be wind, have you ever ridden a bike and come into a sudden cross wind? On a bridge? I'd put my money on lift off or at the very least dangerous steering shake being induced if the boat gained any lift at speed. You would no doubt have to angle the mount downward, and seal the top hole. But all of that will do nothing to lessen the frontal or side wind impact area of the boat and the bike combined. I've ridden all over and there's no way I'd want anything attached to my head, I don't even like the added weight of a radio helmet or two way unit. I have pulled a small trailer with a bike, a small cargo box on a single axle with a Honda Gold Wing and that was doable but not comfortable on open roads where you can often see strong crosswinds.

If it attaches to your head, one of two things come to mind, either the kayak pulling of the helmet or you head. Either way the picture isn't good. The rack idea may have some merit but I that would also have to keep in mind cornering clearances and center of gravity issues.
The issue of keeping the kayak in line with the bike as well as balanced on top without having all sorts of rider interference would also be a major problem.
If the kayak is attached to your head, what happens when you have to make a sudden stop or duck into a sudden turn or maneuver?

 

[phwrd]

Re: Suction Cup Reccomendation Needed

Consult a Purdue Engineer, they will show you the proper application of the duck tape as needed. Get several rolls...

 

[sschefer]

Re: Suction Cup Reccomendation Needed

O.K. So do me a favor and at least think about this first. Take the kayak and put in on the roof of a car like most people do. Then find a couple of buddies and desolate road. Unhook the front tie down and tie a rope around the kayak and have a buddy on each side hold on to it through the window. Now start driving and find out at what speed it starts to lift. Then take it up to at least 55 and see if they can hold it down. If they can and it's relatively easy then you might have a chance at making this work.

My guess is that you'll stop way before hitting 55.

 

[slasmith1]

Re: Suction Cup Reccomendation Needed

Before you try it out, invite "World's Dumbest. . . ." to videotape it. They might even pay your hospital bill. . . if you survive.

He will also be pulling a soup can behind because the rooster tail will be kool.

 

[dlngr]

Re: Suction Cup Reccomendation Needed

Wind....Air.....Lift..... Why not add a prop to the front of the bike,and a pair of removeable wings to the kayak ?

 

[Bumpus7]

Re: Suction Cup Reccomendation Needed

.
Never give up:

Sometimes people come up with what others feel are odd or crazy ideas.

With the way times are today, and with the weaken economy you may have to consider a down sized version for the next 1 1/2 years until things are on the up and up and booming again.

Below is prototype for now, and a chin strap, and a neck harness are optional.
Lights not included.

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[reelfishin]

Re: Suction Cup Reccomendation Needed

Another thing comes to mind when thinking about this, how about the added weight alone to the bike? I have a simple basic Kayak out back here and it has to weight in at around 60 to 70 pounds, even a light one is over 40 lbs.
To me, attaching that amount of weight to your head would be like trying to carry a 50lb bag of sand on your head while riding the bike.

A bike's suspension isn't meant to handle all that added weight either, most bikes are only good for the rider and the occasional light passenger.
I've had several bikes and putting a passenger on usually meant turning up the rear shock adjustments, which usually were already pretty far up already to handle my size. Adding another 70lbs would all but bottom the suspension on all but the largest bikes. I've ridden double on bikes before and even on my old Gold Wing, me and passenger weighed in at about 420lbs, plus anything in the trunk and saddle bags plus fuel. Add even another 50lbs and it would be unsafe and most likely bottoming out all the time.

The kayak would have to be kept perfectly level at all times as well, any lift or down force would no doubt injure the rider.
The only kayak I would even consider carrying on a bike would be an inflatable one.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Suction Cup Reccomendation Needed

To me, attaching that amount of weight to your head would be like trying to carry a 50lb bag of sand on your head while riding the bike.

Now now, who knows he might be related to this guy.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=287323

 

[biggtuna]

Re: Suction Cup Reccomendation Needed

better idea than any others out there. just cut two wholes in the bottom of the kayak/canoe so the wheels of the hog fit right in then just strap it up.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Suction Cup Reccomendation Needed

better idea than any others out there. just cut two wholes in the bottom of the kayak/canoe so the wheels of the hog fit right in then just strap it up.

That would look real sweet down at bike week. Pull into the bar riding that one.

 

[captquest]

Re: Suction Cup Reccomendation Needed

thanks guys, I'm in tears lmao.
hey is this you?

http://www.dumpalink.com/videos/Urban_kayaking_gone_wrong-cb6f.html

 

[sschefer]

Re: Suction Cup Reccomendation Needed

I see where he's going with this. The rack is what's holding the weight and where the boat ties down too. I would just make the rack a little longer and slide the kayak further back so you wouldn't need a helmet mount.

As for weight, that's nothing more than any passenger would weigh. The advantage is that unlike a passenger, the boat will lean with you in the turns. It will never freak out and lean out like has happened to me. I have the scars to prove it.
The problem I see is with lift and the fulcrum effect of the addtional height. If it starts to go over you're going to have a heck of a time getting it back. That you can test in the driveway, (put a couple of old tires down to soften the fall).

 

[Geo2008]

Re: Suction Cup Reccomendation Needed

We actually were concerned about the safety factor in case of an accident and had not solved the problem at the time Silvertip posted this message, it was one of the bugs to work out.

Upon examining his solution we decided it actually does have merit and have now incorporated a variation of his idea into the design.

Geo

I'm sure the final design would have included a Kayak Ejector that would eject the boat in an accident. A couple of auto air bag sensors is all that would be needed along with a canopy ejector shell or two from a fighter jet.

 

[Geo2008]

Re: Suction Cup Reccomendation Needed

 

[Geo2008]

Re: Suction Cup Reccomendation Needed

I am going to go ahead and recommend that no one attach a kayak or canoe above their head on a motorcycle, as it turns out this is NOT a very good idea!

Generally, using your head is a good thing just not to attach objects to with a suction cup.

 

[Shizzy]

Re: Suction Cup Reccomendation Needed

I was about to say. every motorcycle I had handled differently depending on if I had the saddle bags full or if I had a passenger. I cant imagine strapping something that high would be a good idea.