Front mounted motorcycle rack? Issues?

[Jsneeb]

Maybe I wasn't super clear, but I don't think I have a cooling issue as it is right now.

The temp gauge stay at around 180-200. Hits 210 on climbs.
Coolant level is fine.
Has never boiled over.


But yes that fan sure moves a lot of air.

[dredman]

whatever you decide to do, carrying a moto with you is cool. I am on my second bus with a handicap-lift. My second bus is dedicated to the moto - fully 1/3 of my space in the rear is built for easy in/out and servicing my bike.

My bike defines me.
My bike is my toad.

My bike gets what SHE wants - SHE is in charge!

[o1marc]

My bikes are valued at $40k and $10k, ain't no way they will be stored outside.

[Btimmer]

Despite the challenges of mounting a bike on the front, NICE choice in bikes. I love my WR250R.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Jsneeb

Do your fans not run all the time?

it's a fan mounted to the cranshaft output. It spins all the time, even the second the engine is started.

It's not like the electric fans on my car that have a relay to engage them.

You'll hear it when the fan REALLY kicks on.

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

You'll hear it when the fan REALLY kicks on.

How does a mechanical non electric fan "REALLY kick on"?

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by o1marc

How does a mechanical non electric fan "REALLY kick on"?

They have a clutch. When disengaged the fan freewheels and is quiet. When it engages it makes makes a distinct sound. On some rigs it is rather loud.

[Brad_SwiftFur]

Most of these fans turn all the time when the engine is running, but with the clutches, most turn lazily ... until the clutch engages. Once that happens, the fans spin at "full speed" (whatever speed the pulley is) and move a *LOT* of air.


Very often as these clutches age, they don't engage fully (or at all, in some cases) and leads to overheating. Some clutches are electric, some pneumatic (air), some hydraulic. Sometimes when the clutch engages, there may be a brief belt squeal (chirp) as the fan comes up to speed. This is why so many of us focus on the fans and cooling, because the clutches wear out and many school districts never bother to check 'em. They just list the bus as "overheats" so they can buy new ones.

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

They have a clutch. When disengaged the fan freewheels and is quiet. When it engages it makes makes a distinct sound. On some rigs it is rather loud.

He says his fan runs hard all the time, no clutch freewheeling.

[Jsneeb]

Alright gang,

I appreciate all the advice that was posted here, but I went ahead and built the moto front carrier anyway.

I finished it up last night at about 2am.

I will post more pictures of the actual design but for now this is all I have got.







My solution to the blocked headlights, Other side is complete but was not wired in this photo. ( low and high beam, 55W and 160W 7 inch pods )



With the bike on there it does block about 70% of radiator, There is 18 inches of open space between the bike and the radiator everywhere where it is blocked.

It is very stout and the bike feels as secure on there as it does on any other trailer I've used.
It's held down with 4 straps, ( not shown in the picture ) and the wheels are strapped down also so it won't roll back and forth.

I'm heading down to Moab from salt lake city today and am curious how it will do in regards to the cooling. I'll be departing after work, at about 5 pm and driving mostly through the night.

I have one thing in my favor today, a storm moved through yesterday and brought with it cool weather. It will be in the mid 40's most of my drive.

If I have issues with it, my backup plan is that I've also borrowed a hitch mounted platform carrier from a coworker and installed it in the back.
That way if I have issues with it running hot, or if I can't see once it gets dark due to the headlights being blocked then i can pull over and move the bike off the front platform to the back.

I really hope it does work out on this maiden trip, Maybe I'll be the first one to succeed with a frontal moto carrier on a FE bus? Or I'll be one of the many to fail.

[dredman]

Good luck man, hope it works.
Report the experience for future rebel-reference!

[Brad_SwiftFur]

Are you using the over-windshield lights (formerly the 8-way lights) for your headlights? This may prove to be a bad idea, and is not legal in many (most? All?) states. It will blind oncoming drivers as well as be difficult to get good light aim and distribution (lights will either be aimed too low, or too high, no middle ground). There is a reason federal law mandates headlights "Not less than 22", nor more than 54" (measured on center, I believe). (Before anyone goes out and measures their car, note that this is from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and applies to commercial vehicles.)


I wish you the best with your build, I just don't want to see or hear of anything bad happening. If it were me, I'd consider mounts similar to what snowplows use, in front of your bike.

[Jsneeb]

Thanks, I do not intend to use those as the primary headlights.

I've checked the law and understand that the height of the lights is a problem. ( above 54 inches )

I have them aimed rather low ( 50 - 100 ft), they can be run dim, just to provide some visibility of myself on the road, or on high for actual illumination when I'm the only one on the road. ( 90% of my night driving im alone on the road )

If this hauler works out then I will get snowplow lights up front as a permanent solution.

Right now I'm not even certain this will work, so I didn't go through the effort to relocate the existing lights.

[Brad_SwiftFur]

I wouldn't bother removing the existing headlights. I would just add the snowplow lights and leave the originals where they are. Good to know you've brushed up on legalities and have planned accordingly.

[o1marc]

Driving lights that high, no matter how they are aimed is totally illegal for road use, you will get caught if you run them.

[BadWolf]

It looks like you have already solved the issue. In case anyone else is looking for a similar idea here is how a friend of mine solved it... this is a factory made motorcycle stand that allows for a vehicle to be towed four down also (he has a Honda Accord) or you could tow a trailer. He picked it up on Craigslist used (one time) for $375. They sell new for around $600.

[rebapuck]

Is there a way to mount the bike on the rear in a vertical position to the side of the door?

[maddmaxx]

A bus has more escape routes than ANY other vehicle on the road. If not sufficient, it would be relatively easier to add/modify an alternative so you could sleep at night. There are some great ideas and suggestions here based upon experience and physics by multiple experienced ppl.

It's pretty apparent that OP is not looking for alternative ideas, but for validation for what was already predetermined.

Looks awesome man! Great idea! I think you nailed it!! 👍👍👍

But, you might want to turn the front wheel on the bike so you can use its head light on the passenger side... then buy one more bike and mount it opposite for the headlight on the driver side.... Perfection!!

[Drew Bru]

Originally Posted by BadWolf

It looks like you have already solved the issue. In case anyone else is looking for a similar idea here is how a friend of mine solved it... this is a factory made motorcycle stand that allows for a vehicle to be towed four down also (he has a Honda Accord) or you could tow a trailer. He picked it up on Craigslist used (one time) for $375. They sell new for around $600.

Wow, that's exactly what I'm looking for if I decide to add a bike to the mix.....who's the manufacturer of that? It's hard to tell from the picture.

[rtdillon1960]

I was reading thru this and it is apparent you had already decided to mount the bike up front and was only looking for agreement. Best wishes, I hope it works out well. If it does not, consider these:

1) Shorten bus body by 1 panel set and make a back deck. Make a small pivoting crane to lift it up and down. Put your bike there and enjoy.
2) Modify rear door and load bike into the back of the bus. (Nor a RE?)

Just some suggestions to spark out of the box thinking. Personally I would get a trailer and load them both on it. With the ingenuity and fabrication skills you exhibit you could make then entire load and unload process easy.
I can load and unload my Pickup on a uhaul carrier in about 10 minutes.

BTW, if your fan clutch has gone bad the fan may be spinning at full speed all the time. Lost fuel and torque from that.