Subject: RE: max gvwr for Ambassador ?
Author: Jason Telford
Date: Jul 8, 2004, 9:58 AM
Post ID: 1717120963
You can put a boatload of crap (metric or US) onto a loopframe. I know,
I've done it. But unfortunately, I find that it usually weights the
rear, so the front end gets squirrely. The frame starts to flex a lot
also, particularly at the steering head. I've ridden two up, full
camping gear including cooking implements, etc. etc. absolutely packed
DB bags and stuff hanging off the edges. Probably 400 pounds of driver,
passenger and junk. Can't say I recommend it.
Jason
Greg Bender wrote:
Hi Bill, I searched through all the materials that I have (manuals, handbooks, a ton of old review articles, etc.) and I cannot find any mention of the maximum recommended gross vehicle weight. Perhaps that recommendation was not yet required? As you've mentioned, max tire load is certainly part of the equation. Additional, I read two articles that gave slightly different percentages for the bias of weight between the front and the rear tires: Stock Ambassador: 50/50 (front/rear) - curb weight (with 1/2 tank of fuel): 559 lbs; test weight (fuel and rider): 725 lbs Wixom Eldorado: 45/55 (front/rear) - curb weight (with 1/2 tank of fuel): 581 lbs; test weight (fuel and rider): 721 lbs; the "wixom" setup included fairing, saddlebags, and trunk Given these values, I would tend to think that more weight added to rear of the bike would bias the weight to rear wheel more than the front. I doubt that it is a linear relationship and I am hesitant to predict what the percentages would be with different weight. In the end, I think that the frame and suspension of these bikes will handle far more weight than the max load ratings of the tires we are able to put on them. If someone else has some additional information, I'd love to hear it. Good luck! Regards, Greg Bender http://www.thisoldtractor.com/gtbender/loopframe.htm |