rig looks good David,..crawf.
JD,
The statement speaks for itself. The Neff sub-frame addresses one side of the frame (as do the ones I build). The Dauntless unit attaches to both sides of the rear frame. Obviously a sturdier mounting.
Neither of the three (including mine) have ever failed in service to my knowledge.
Chauvinism aside I have no qualms with your choice of sub-frames and have no interest in debating the subject.
Having mounted (and remounted) many Beemers with my own fabricated sub-frames and other's products I will say I have never had to return a Dauntless sub-frame because it wouldn't fit on the bike it was made for.
I'll let it go at that.
As I've said here before: I'm no engineer, but I've been on a lot of freight trains.
Lonnie
Northwest Sidecars
Lonnie, Thank you for posting the pictures. The Dauntless subframe appears to be well constructed. Both have design features that are appealing for different reasons. The Neff design uses the engine as a primary stressed member, but it requires welding for the upper front mount. The two-piece Dauntless design requires no welding, but transfers larger torsional forces to the bike frame. For fast installation on a fully assembled bike, the Dauntless is a more practical choice. If that is all you meant to say, then I missed your intent. In my personal opinion, the Neff design keeps the F&R wheels closer to their intended locations with higher torsional rigidity. However, destructive testing or finite element analysis would be required to rank the designs in terms of stress limits. Superiority is a moot point if both are serviceable. Enough said...
What would happen if no subframe was used ?
Has anyone here just bolted a sidecar to the frame and had the frame break ?
Here's the latest reply from my sidecar supplier..
"For the subframe to bolt the side car on, i saw someone who use this, but we don't have this kind of subframe in the parts we give you, China do not have this part, it seems that they buy this from US. I didn't use subframe when i add side car on my own BMW. Since i am a motorcycle export, so i install the side car on the Solo by myself, it runs good "
??
YES! Mike... my first set up was bolted to welded blocks for top mounts, and had plates "u" bolt clamps at the bottom around the frame,..these allowed movement, cause stress cracks and mount breakage up top in very short order,.....I re-engineered with a lower sub-frame bolted to lower engine mount points X3, re-welded the upper points, and have had no issues in 3 full seasons of riding,..sound and secure mounts are a definate,..any movement will be a break in short time,...15 min removal time for solo riding,..my 2 cents, crawf.
What would happen if no subframe was used ?
You'll soon be shopping for a good welder or fabricator to do it right.
Lonnie
Did you recieve my email Lonnie ?
a well designed sub frame will disperse the mount point stresses over a larger area, and prevent pressure point stress fracture,...the pro installers here can certainly help you with both parts and instruction, good luck, crawf.
SaskMick.. Hows the snow?? Here it is slowly going.. Ok sidecar stuff. I had a Watsonain Monaco of a 1968 Triumph Bonny. Put 60 miles on it in 2 years. It was mounted directly onto the bike frame by Dave Washburn of Washburn Cycle Specialties in Kingston Ontario where I got the sidecar in 1968. In 1968 I mounted it on a Honda 750/4 directly to the frame. After 100,000 plus miles, it was mounted directly on a 1984 BMW 800 boxer twin. After 150,000 plus miles, still no cracks or frame problems. It was used for everything, hunting, fishing, camping, going down rural country roads. In 2007 I went to Pennsylvania with a new 2007 Harley 883 custom. Rode sole there, Claude had a Watsonain Palma he had used for years and now sat in his shop collecting dust. I bought it, he installed it. This time with a subframe. He built the sub while I was there and put it on the bike. I rode it from his place in Pennsylvania to Warkworth/Brighton Ontario in one day. Stayed a a buddies place for a few days. Then from Warkworth to Sault St. Marie Ontario in one day. Then the next day from there to Fort Francis Ontario to visit someone there. Claude explained to me, like I previously thought, the old frames were made out of metal, real steel, not the new paper mache'. After 2 years, the sidecar hasn't moved on the sub frame, or the sub on the Harley frame. He built it like a brick sh&t house. I will probably never have a problem with it, so go for a subframe. Especially if your over the normal Sakabush roads which are like the normal Manitoba rural roads. Gravel and washboard at the best of times. Good luck and stay out of the deep ditches with water in them.. Doug
The snow is going at last, it seems to have been a long winter this time, I'm glad it's over. I think the weather here is much the same as you get, I live near the Manitoba border. The roads are certainly the same,like you say gravel and washboards. I live about 10 miles from the nearest blacktop, this is one of the reasons I am getting a sidecar. I will be getting a proper sub frame for my bike.
Whereabouts in Manitoba do you live ?
Mick, Got it and answered you.
Lonnie
