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Handlebar Oscillating or Wobble

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 Arno
(@trespatas)
Posts: 50
Estimable Member
 

Posted by: @ben-franklin
↑

@wahlbornwi-rr-com Well, mine was built along side yours, at the time...  DMC had a few issues towards the end of their run.  This thread captures my journey with them, at the time.  Jonny tried hard to fix the owner's bad decisions, but ultimately had to live with him until the end:  It got kind of ugly.

 

DMC Thread that evolved into my Africa Twin build:

Yes.....was horrible lol8  

 


 
Posted : August 31, 2026 8:13 pm
(@sidecarusa)
Posts: 88
Estimable Member
 

His was built in texas but basically same design on the frame minus few improvements i did for tsc


This post was modified 1 month ago by SIDECARUSA
 
Posted : August 31, 2026 9:06 pm
(@wahlbornwi-rr-com)
Posts: 19
Eminent Member
Topic starter
 
IMG 0695

Is this on a Watsonian Frame or a DMC?


 
Posted : September 7, 2026 5:17 am
FlyingMonkeys and Brstr reacted
(@brstr)
Posts: 700
Noble Member
 

I'd be saying DMC.

Other's will confirm.


 
Posted : September 7, 2026 5:55 am
(@miles-ladue)
Posts: 1818
Famed Member
 

Posted by: @brstr
↑

I'd be saying DMC.

Other's will confirm.

I must concur with my Western Australia mate....it's a DMC frame.

A "real" Watsonian sidecar frame would have been fabricated by Watsonian Sidecars in the UK.

 


This post was modified 4 weeks ago by FlyingMonkeys

Two Million Mile Rider
Exploring the World in Comfort

 
Posted : September 7, 2026 9:09 am
Brstr reacted
(@sidecarusa)
Posts: 88
Estimable Member
 

Appears to be a dmc frame the bumper is a giveaway since not part of the frame. From what I have heard tsc is no longer an authorized mfg for watsonian that partnership has ended. Probably wont be see anymore of the American made version


 
Posted : September 10, 2026 10:13 am
(@sidecarusa)
Posts: 88
Estimable Member
 

Any updates? Did you get it sorted out?


 
Posted : September 13, 2026 8:41 pm
(@wahlbornwi-rr-com)
Posts: 19
Eminent Member
Topic starter
 

The rig was taken back to the dealer because the reverse failed to work after having the recall done.  The reverse module was found to be faulty and parts had to be ordered and the work has not been completed yet.  Thank you for asking.  As soon as it gets done I plan to work on resolving the issue.  I did have the opportunity to talk with Bob from Bob’s BMW in Maryland at the Finger Lake Rally in New York who was riding a sidecar and he said that a car tire in the front may also help.  What do you guys think of his suggestion to go to the dark side?


 
Posted : September 14, 2026 4:29 pm
(@miles-ladue)
Posts: 1818
Famed Member
 

Posted by: @wahlbornwi-rr-com
↑

The rig was taken back to the dealer because the reverse failed to work after having the recall done.  The reverse module was found to be faulty and parts had to be ordered and the work has not been completed yet.  Thank you for asking.  As soon as it gets done I plan to work on resolving the issue.  I did have the opportunity to talk with Bob from Bob’s BMW in Maryland at the Finger Lake Rally in New York who was riding a sidecar and he said that a car tire in the front may also help.  What do you guys think of his suggestion to go to the dark side?

Short answer is NO.  

A car tire on that motorcycle front wheel is NOT the fix for Handlebar oscillation or wobble. 

Bob @ Bob's BMW in Maryland is good....but not THAT good. 

Scared

 


Two Million Mile Rider
Exploring the World in Comfort

 
Posted : September 14, 2026 9:01 pm
Brstr, SIDECARUSA and Arno reacted
(@sidecarusa)
Posts: 88
Estimable Member
 

Yeah thats not going to fix it. I think its an installation issue


 
Posted : September 15, 2026 1:40 am
Brstr and FlyingMonkeys reacted
(@ben-franklin)
Posts: 359
Prominent Member
 

@wahlbornwi-rr-com Just noticed the lean out at 3 degrees.  That is a lot of lean out. I tend to like 1/2 degree, but that is me.


 
Posted : September 15, 2026 1:48 am
(@ben-franklin)
Posts: 359
Prominent Member
 

@wahlbornwi-rr-com Car tire on front would likely make that little peculiarity worse...  Not that it is a bad idea, but kind of the opposite of fixing that problem.

 

 


 
Posted : September 15, 2026 1:49 am
(@wahlbornwi-rr-com)
Posts: 19
Eminent Member
Topic starter
 

The rig has been returned from the dealer and I want to begin experimenting with making the adjustments suggested in this thread.  I was wondering before I begin the process what should I use for a baseline to determine improvement vs worse.  What is the best speed or set of speeds?  Should there be weight in the car?  I think I will start with the easiest change first front tire air pressure and progress from there.


 
Posted : September 17, 2026 6:14 am
Brstr and FlyingMonkeys reacted
 Arno
(@trespatas)
Posts: 50
Estimable Member
 

Good news!

Pressure for sure.

Have the front end off the ground, turn full left/right with and without the steering damper to make sure it works.

Watch the front wheel while turning it by hand, look for any default, must be round. 

Check the contact surface of the tyre for posible deformation.

Listen to the wheel bearing while turning. 


This post was modified 3 weeks ago 2 times by Arno
 
Posted : September 17, 2026 6:24 am
Arno, Brstr and FlyingMonkeys reacted
(@miles-ladue)
Posts: 1818
Famed Member
 

Posted by: @wahlbornwi-rr-com
↑

The rig has been returned from the dealer and I want to begin experimenting with making the adjustments suggested in this thread.  I was wondering before I begin the process what should I use for a baseline to determine improvement vs worse.  What is the best speed or set of speeds?  Should there be weight in the car?  I think I will start with the easiest change first front tire air pressure and progress from there.

Will-I-Am, what did this "dealer" do for your bike and/or sidecar, other than address the Reverse issue ?

If this dealer handles Sidecar rigs, they should have addressed it ALL.

Okay, moving forward... that front tire should be set at 36 to 40 psi, depending on Brand, Model, wear, mileage.

That's just the beginning...

 


Two Million Mile Rider
Exploring the World in Comfort

 
Posted : September 17, 2026 6:38 am
Brstr reacted
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