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[johnmowcop]

Anyone know, I have searched without success. I am trying to position the Road Glide Ultra on a trailer to ensure the towbar is not over loaded. What is the front/rear wheel weight bias.
JohnT

[bbrown]

That is a good question

[grc]

I don't think I've ever seen a specification listing front / rear weight distribution for a Harley.  It used to be a common spec mentioned in road tests of sports cars, but I've never seen it mentioned for a bike.

You might want to contact a local truck stop to see if they have scales you could use to determine the weight distribution yourself.

Jerry

[*58Vette]

The front edge of the seat is the center of balance.

[Joel]

Couldn't you use a digital weight scale and a 2 × 6 to roll the front tire on, check the weight than do the same with the back tire.

[Threephase]

Place the back tire centered directly over the trailer axle. Should get you close. Depending on the weight of your trailer and what your towing vehicle is, you have to adjust forward or backwards so as not to place too much tongue weight.

[grc]

Couldn't you use a digital weight scale and a 2 × 6 to roll the front tire on, check the weight than do the same with the back tire.

Probably could if you had a scale rated to handle at least 500 pounds (the bike has a wet curb weight over 900 pounds without added accessories and luggage).  You could also determine the recommended tongue weight for the trailer and vehicle hitch, then use a scale to measure the tongue weight with the bike on the trailer, adjust the bike position as required.

Jerry

[chaos901]

I know putting it on a jack I need to get as far back on the frame as I can.  Now my saddlebags are typically fully loaded too.  So the front of the seat (mentioned previously) may be close. 

[johnmowcop]

I think I have it, the jack being mentioned prompted me to open my eyes. I have previously made, like fifteen years ago, an over centre arrangement that I slide under the bike to use as a centre stand. the point of either rear wheel down or front wheel down is round about the joint between (if there was one) engine and gearbox. This will help. Thanks' everyone for your thoughts.
JohnT

[CVODON]

I assume you already have the Trailer? Use a cheap set of bathroom scales under the tongue jack which has been placed at the level it will be when hooked to the car. Put the bike on the trailer, with rear tire of bike over to slightly behind the trailer axle then Move the bike backwards or forwards to obtain about 10% of the total trailer/bike weight on the tongue. Then mark that location of the bike, unload the bike and install your stops so bike rides there. When we sold trailers this is how we set up all small load (motorcycle/atv etc) trailers.
Trailer weight can be obtained from manufacturer and good ole HD will give you approx bike weight, add your load in saddlebags. Approx will work fine, not critical to a few pounds.

[grc]

I assume you already have the Trailer? Use a cheap set of bathroom scales under the tongue jack which has been placed at the level it will be when hooked to the car. Put the bike on the trailer, with rear tire of bike over to slightly behind the trailer axle then Move the bike backwards or forwards to obtain about 10% of the total trailer/bike weight on the tongue. Then mark that location of the bike, unload the bike and install your stops so bike rides there. When we sold trailers this is how we set up all small load (motorcycle/atv etc) trailers.
Trailer weight can be obtained from manufacturer and good ole HD will give you approx bike weight, add your load in saddlebags. Approx will work fine, not critical to a few pounds.

This is the best method, actually measuring the tongue weight and making certain you are within the allowed range for your trailer and hitch/tow vehicle combination. 

Jerry

[chaos901]

I've never heard the 10% figure before, never really looked either though.  That is good to know.