Towing question

FJRay · Aug 4, 2020

My son has been using a device to tow his bike that has the front wheel in a chock attached to the receiver hitch and leaves the rear wheel on the ground. It looks stupid as hell to me but seems to work.

My concern it the rear wheel turning the counter shaft all the time with no oiling to the transmission. maybe with the bike at that angle enough oil gets to things but I told him I didn't think it was a good idea.

Have any of you folks had any experience with such a device and have any thoughts.

RossKean · Aug 4, 2020

Shaft drive bike? Maybe not such a good idea. Belt or chain - just unhook it for the drive. Harder to do with the shaft.

No idea if it would harm anything or not but I wouldn't do it unless someone could convince me there would be no problem.

Edit to add: Obviously, it will wear out the rear tire if hauling a long distance. I wonder what happens if you hit a bump hard enough to pop it into gear?

mcatrophy · Aug 5, 2020

As RossKean says, don't do it if the gearbox is still attached to the rear wheel.

A scan from the FJR Owner's Manual:

(Click on image for larger view)

All modern bikes rely on the engine to move oil to where it's needed, not just bikes with shafts.

FJRay · Aug 5, 2020

RossKean said:
Shaft drive bike? Maybe not such a good idea. Belt or chain - just unhook it for the drive. Harder to do with the shaft.

No idea if it would harm anything or not but I wouldn't do it unless someone could convince me there would be no problem.

Edit to add: Obviously, it will wear out the rear tire if hauling a long distance. I wonder what happens if you hit a bump hard enough to pop it into gear?

He puts a zip tie around the clutch lever in case it gets into gear.