11 replies to this topic

[Dan876876]

Hi,

 

Got a 4" refractor about 28" long which currently ride in my backpack (protect from vibrations and bumps), and a tripod about 30" long (in a diy tyvek pouch) strapped over the tail bags with the rest in it (eyepieces foam padded case, camping chair, etc).

 

I did many day tests and tuning of about an half hours each. Yesterday was my first medium excursion 130km 1h30 away.

 

The thing is, I wish I could just sit normally, but the bulk of the OTA near the low back forces me forward too much (to not crush it on the tail bag). I'm very aching today and the I fear the 3-4 hours ride to the 2 real intended dark sites.

 

Now, I'm thinking of carrying the OTA side-wise, but I've never seen any 28" wide backpack!

 

I could perhaps make a whole box to shove the rig including the OTA on the seat, but I'd like to have comments on how fragile the scope actually is. Does it need 2" padding? 1"? 3"? hard foam? soft plushy foam? both to have low and high frequencies absorbed?

 

How would you solve this problem?

 

(please do not involve a car - there is none, just the motorcycle. Thanks).

Edited by Dan876876, 28 April 2025 - 04:52 PM.

[DeepSky Di]

Sidecar?

[triplemon]

Why not put the refractor into a saddlebag, too ?

A refractor is pretty sturdy, at most I would loosen the crawford focuser pinion to avoid it from rubbing detents under prolonged vibrations. If you worry about the finish of the OTQA, use gaffers or painters tape to prevent rub marks.

 

And as long as you don't assert large forces on it to dent the tube, the lens cell itself should be plenty fine. So any padding is really just to save protruding parts like the focus knobs from being damaged. Fort that I would mold-in-place or cut closed cell shipping foam.

Edited by triplemon, 28 April 2025 - 05:39 PM.

[GalaxyPiper]

Not really recommended. If this is your only transportation, then get two more wheels and a trailer hitch for the motorcycle.

 

Or have a friend that does have a car pick you up.

 

Motorcycles can be an efficient mode of travel. But it is not a truck, or a car, or a camper...it's something that you strap to your backside to give your rear a ride.

 

Maybe give it some thought, and make a carrier for your scope that clamps to the side like saddle bags, but sturdier.

 

If you can think of even a more inefficient mode of travel transporting your scope, you can let us know.

 

If I'm not sounding sympathic here, then you would be correct.

 

If you want me to tell you a story of trying to drill a hole in a piece of sheet metal using a high speed drill and holding if with my bare hands with no clamps...just let me know. The cutting satire can be very revealing.

Edited by GalaxyPiper, 28 April 2025 - 05:58 PM.

[Bob4BVM]

As one with well over 100K miles on my butt, and likely that many bugs in my teeth, I can attest to some crazy schemes to carry stuff.

It would help to know what size/type bike you have, that will make some difference in what you can carry and how.

 

BTW for the uninitiate, a bike makes a fine camper.

MC camping is a great way to go, you just need to learn to travel light with the right camp gear.

Figure it out and the freedom is amazing.

My best memories are pulling off countless backroads in the American west and spending a night or two in amazing solitude, under equally amazing skies. 

Spent hundreds of nights out like that.

 

CS

Bob

Edited by Bob4BVM, 28 April 2025 - 06:13 PM.

[Dan876876]

For a box, I had thoughts about an 8" tube for concrete. Split in two length wise, rivet some hinges and latch, fill with 2" memory foam.... I just fail to see how to close both ends (not gonna have a go at trying to cut a wood disk - the jigsaw hates me, I'd rather use frisbees...). But the round shape is so bad to hold steady on a backseat, so I dropped the idea.

 

I'm currently on the transversal backpack idea. Heavy duty tarp (14mil) and tuck tape over seam could make a fair waterproof pouch. I just need to find a DIY backpack sewing guide to put on adjustable shoulder straps in correct places to keep it high (over the tail bag). My only concern is the tube resting across my jacket back protector; some cushioning needed.

 

(less foam wrapping is a bonus - to cool the scope while on the road).

[schai]

A while back I had the nerve to ride an r80gs as well as strap my tmb105 with eps, giro mount and strapped on bogen tripod with something like this:

https://www.tamrac.c...ucts/stratus-21

 

they made a strap adaptor that made it into a backpack

 

no rear or side saddles needed

 

It kept the cg low and relatively stable and I set it up so weight was on the rear seat and my back with straps kept it on the bike. 

 

cant see they make that bakcpack strap anymore, it was nice accessory

[photoracer18]

There are plenty of more compact and capable refractors than one that size that would be more practical to transport or even a Mak-Cass. I bought my first cycle in 1973 and rode to my first race to spectate that same year. I started racing in 1974, and started winning in 1975. While I did some traveling and commuting I only bought my first bike intending to start racing very soon after that. 

[rgk901]

I made a little rack thingy out of wood for my bike maybe you can rig something up for your scope or maybe check if givi ( or similar) has something specific for you... soft cases that expand maybe?

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[afd33]

What kind of bike? I don't care much about make/model, but cruiser, sport, etc. I have a cruiser, and I think I could fit my mount and a small telescope in my saddlebags, and if I got a sissy bar I could strap the tripod to that.

[Ferrite]

Crossways is fine. The green drybag in this pic is ~30" long, maybe longer. Weight in the back, and high up spoils the handling, but it sounds like you're on the right track with test rides etc. All my gear has been tested to at least 100mph.

 

[Dan876876]

The bike has soft saddle bags and a tail rack.

I got about 20" x 12-14" of tail support area.

The lighter last 10" of tripod legs hang out.

 

If the scope goes on the tail seat/rack (hence question about foams), it would be length wise next to tripod, no issue. Despite being a cute project, I find the volume of a foam padded box embarrassing.

 

The thought for transversal pack is for a "backpack", not the seat.
I think I'm decided. 

 

I just thought I would ask the gang in case an "of-course" alternative idea.

 

Thanks all.