Introduction


Despite having been a bicycle tourer for decades, I've never taken much interest, other than casual in bicycle trailers. I did not then have the skills to build one and they were beyond the budget to purchase a commercial or custom built one in any case.

However, in 2002, I started a welding course at Campbelltown TAFE to increase my welding skills beyound stick welding. Part of this interest was to increase my general construction skills, particularly in relation to bicycle matter; racks, trailers and maybe frames.

The idea for a bob trailer arose from discussion on the Touring List, where some people preferred them to carrying panniers and really liked the single wheel line arrangement. They seemed simple and easier to build than a double wheeled trailer, so I decided to give one a go.

There followed a search on the Internet for plans, but all I managed to find were photographs or sketches. So a plan was developed in my head and quickly sketched. As luck would have it, I then managed to see a couple of Bob Yaks around and this gave me further ideas and refinements. I also received some assistance from people on the Framebuilders List. thanks guys.

I had initally thought that I would mimic a bicycle headstem and simply use a set of headstem cups and bearings. So I started buying steel tube. The inside tube of 22mm OD (outside diameter) was easily obtained, but the outside tube of 32mm ID/NB(inside diameter/nominal bore) was an education. My local steel supply gave me some 32mmNB that was actually 36mm ID and far too sloppy. Back to the thinking process.

Thanks to comments by Moz, I reconsidered my idea of using old bicycles and bicycle parts. As luck would have it, soon after, a broken kids bicycle was abandoned in the local streets and after a weeks wait, I removed the litter and introduced to my hacksaw.

Lots of measuring, some cutting and lots of welding (8 hours of bronze brazing) later, the trailer first appeared. At the time of writing, it has received a rub down with a wire brush and a coat of metal primer.

However, it will soon go back for another work session to stiffen up the bend in the main tube.

More pictures will be added later after they come back from development.