Honda Elite 250

[SamKellner]

OK, everyone says the Elite 250cc is the choice for scooter tow rigs. It runs perfect.

We spent a good deal of time on trailer mods. The original trailer axle was an old Chev front streight axle. Pittman steering arm bent around and welded to the axle.
Something the younger crowd probably hadn't seen.
We put new spring perches and springs.

[terryJm]

I,m pleased with the performance of this Honda Elite 250. The test pulls and training after completing construction were informative and reassuring. High gusty winds prevented any actual flying, however; the training was nessissary on throttle controll, break coordination and adjustments to maintain tention. Our ending tests were much better than the beggining pulls throughout the tension range. Work resposabilities will delay further development for the next week or two. Later, Terry

[SamKellner]

About ready for the trailer deck.

There's about 3000ft of line on the scooter.

[Bill Cummings]

So What keeps the separated tire sidewall beads on the rim? Just the rope?
Pop rivets through the tires bead and then on through the rim?

Anytime I ever let the air out of my motorcycle tire it was not too tough to “break the bead,” to get it loose from the rim.

Does this arrangement have a history of working? (cut tire on a rim?)

This is one style of reel or drum that I have no working experience with.

[SamKellner]

Bill,

I think there is way more pressure from the line wraps than the normal air pressure.

If we see a problem, we'll put in a couple of screws, like the hot rodders do to keep the tire from spinning on the wheel during burnouts.

However, I'm not a bike mechanic, but have opinions that the tires are really difficult to breakdown.

We have not launched a glider yet. We have wound all the scooterline onto the payout winch, so that the scooter spool in empty, several times, on the two different scooter rigs, and have had no problem keeping the tire on the rim.

Maybe some of the engineer types can calculate how many psi the line exerts against the wheel. My barnyard technology tells me it's more than 30psi.

We'll be doing some real launches soon, and let you know.

,
Sam

[MikeLake]

About ready for the trailer deck.

There's about 3000ft of line on the scooter.

Hi,
What are you using for line and what does it cost? (If you don't mind me asking).

Regards Mike

[Bob Kuczewski]

So What keeps the separated tire sidewall beads on the rim? Just the rope? Pop rivets through the tires bead and then on through the rim?

I was wondering the same thing. I thought about suggesting some kind of bolts or rivets, but I wasn't sure if that would damage or snag the line (even if they were fairly smooth).

I do think the line pressure will help, but that assumes that there's sufficient line already on the spool. That might not be the case when starting with most of the line already out.

I have very little towing experience and haven't spent much time driving motorcycles with deflated tires, but I think Bill is asking a good question, and it would be good to be sure that the sidewalls don't break loose during a tow.

[SamKellner]

25 simulated tow starts from empty, and the EZ Spool hasn't fallen apart yet.

Like I said, about Bill's question, With the spool empty, put a few screws thru the wheel into the tire bead. Grind the inside so that the screws are smooth and do not penetrate.
And then, there is always black tire glue.

The method we use to cut the tire requires considerable lateral force on the tire, 0 psi.
If it was gonna come of, it would do so at this point.

IMO, the greatest danger is in cutting the tire. Our method is being refined.

[SamKellner]

Hi,
What are you using for line and what does it cost? (If you don't mind me asking).
Regards Mike

Hello Mike,
Terry should fill you in on the line info. He knows the details and use history.
This line was purchased a while back so we do not have a current price. IMO, it's the most affordable.

Also, it is a hollow braid and splices much the same as spectra. It can even be spliced into spectra. No knots

I appreciate your asking.

Sam,
Southwest Texas Hang Gliders

[SamKellner]

Mike,          [Moderator's note: Name changed from "John" at Sam's request]

Some informative discussion on the scootertow forum helped me out a lot.
The tow line is referred to as 3/16" poly. Still no good price, but it must be among the least expensive and most available.
Some pilots would just as soon use it. Some prefer it. Some can't get use to the stretch. I towed with this line on a
payout system, a few times, and the stretch was not an issue. It has a history of use.

OK, it almost looks like a scootertow. Complete with tag and lights