First off, I wanted to say "Hello" and introduce myself :). I just joined the club and purchased my first rig last weekend. She's a 1974 r75/6 with a Velorex 562 and Unit leading link forks. I won't bore you with the details, but here's a few links with pictures below.
http://s925.photobucket.com/albums/ad97/dedsled/1974%20R75%20Sidecar%20Rig/
https://picasaweb.google.com/justin.philipson/Hack02#
You'll probably be seeing a lot of me around here, socializing and asking lots of questions 🙂
And speaking of questions, here's my first one. I'm looking for someone in the Denver area that can help me get the chair and suspension setup just right. So any suggestions would be appreciated :). I've watched videos etc, but learning from someone firsthand is always better.
Anyway, hello again 🙂
Justin
Welcome aboard Justin.
Good looking rig. First off, you have the early model 562 Standard which has a very light suspension. These models came with a little 15mm axle since they were designed for the Jama/MZ 350cc and 500cc motorcycles. You will probably find the suspension will bottom our=t with loading and will wallow somewhat in the turns. If you find this to be a problem (as many others have) I have a bolt on suspension upgrade that is designed to allow the early Velorex models to support heavier bikes, heavy loading and off road usage. Will provide a much stabler ride.
Lonnie
Northwest Sidecars
nwsidecar@aol.com
Lonnie - thanks for the welcome. I sent you an email about the suspension upgrade you mentioned. Having ridden the rig 1500 miles to get home after purchase, I have already discovered the suspension on the chair is a bit soft. And yes, I do jump right into things :).
Wellcome on board Justin,
and by the way we didn't call the R75 a "rubber cow" for nothing. (not only the R60 where that nick name came from.)
The upgrade for the 20 or 25mm axle is a good thing to do too.
Myself I chase my Jawa 350 with the same sidecar pretty hard through mountain range and even for her I feel a lot of pitty about that axle. And your beemer weights minimum 70kg more.
So where you should look for frecuently too, is the position of the oven pipe clamps. They love to go out of alignment specially in fall and winter. Then you'll become unhappy with riding forces and behaviour.
Specially made mounts and a subframe are better options over the universal clamps.
Keep never too less balast. In the beginning for your set up I would recommend 100 pound at least. Later you might go down to 60 pound.
The most important moment to be aware off, is when you start to feel confortable (a month?). Then in a eye opening you will react like a solo rider - Right the oposite you need to react with the rig.
Read sorrowly the manuals in the download area (I like the translation of the german guideline) and train conscientially the new materia. And stay safe
That might save your life.
Remember Stirling Moss's lesson: "Go slow into the bend and come fast out. Go fast into the bend and you might come out dead."
With the rig You MUST break before the bend. If you do it while inside the turn the laws your copilot found out will make you FLIP.
I like you sticker, great.
Enjoy riding. It is highly adictive.
Sven Peter Pan from the Costarican twisties.
84°W, 10°N
