I just found this site and will now have allot of reading ahead of me. But I'm gearing up for a trip to the Smokies with my 7 yr. old son next week and have a few questions for those of you with experience with Harley side cars. So the first question is, does anyone here have experience with a Harley motorcycle and Harley side car. My bike is a 1977 FXS and the side car is (I believe)a 78 model CLE.
72FL/69HD Car There are others here to with HD sidecar rigs.Questions? you install the car to the bike?
I'm concerned that the frame may be bent, and want frame specs in order to check it. The local HD dealers are useless when it comes to older bikes and info so I won't waste my time with them. Do any of you have frame specs that I can check the frame with?
The first time I mounted the rig it sat very high in front. I made a front support rod that lowered the body to almost level, but I know the set up isn't right. The service manual gives a dim. of 5.75" from the frame to the ground . My frame measures 8.75" to the ground.
Forgot to mention that I've already taken this rig from Memfrica Tn. to Vegas and back. It handled pretty good but I still want to make it better.
Hi, I have FLSTN+TLE + trailer. I haven't noticed any problems with frame, but do take care with attachments so they are strong enough. Also, can anybody comment what happened to me last Sunday. After driving 900 km varying roads without problems, with camping gear in trailer and son in sidecar, several (7+) spokes in bike rear tyre broke loose from hub. Wheel totally unstable, we had to tow the whole setup home. Periodical service including tightening of spokes had been done to bike just before the trip. SO - was this caused by some mistake by HD service (overtightening?), or can't a regular HD spoked rim and tyre handle the extra loads of sidecar + trailer. The ride was on regular asphalt, no dirt roads, and the trailer is not massive. I would appreciate any comment's. I will need to discuss who pays the repair! I have seen rigs with spoked wheels (Liberty), and didn't expect this could happen!
Originally written by Hanski SF on 7/16/2006 1:34 PM
Hi, I have FLSTN+TLE + trailer. I haven't noticed any problems with frame, but do take care with attachments so they are strong enough. Also, can anybody comment what happened to me last Sunday. After driving 900 km varying roads without problems, with camping gear in trailer and son in sidecar, several (7+) spokes in bike rear tyre broke loose from hub. Wheel totally unstable, we had to tow the whole setup home. Periodical service including tightening of spokes had been done to bike just before the trip. SO - was this caused by some mistake by HD service (overtightening?), or can't a regular HD spoked rim and tyre handle the extra loads of sidecar + trailer. The ride was on regular asphalt, no dirt roads, and the trailer is not massive. I would appreciate any comment's. I will need to discuss who pays the repair! I have seen rigs with spoked wheels (Liberty), and didn't expect this could happen!
I can't swear that this is your problem, but about ten years ago I worked at a motorcycle shop in Red Wing, MN. We had a guy come in with a relatively new FLH and sidecar. He had left Houston, Texas with a new tire that blew with cords showing around Oklahoma City somewhere. The mechanic noticed broken spokes, replaced them and the tire and sent him on his way. By the time he reached southern Iowa, he again had a bald tire and broken spokes. Dealer replaced them, checked things over and sent him on his way. By the time he got to Red Wing he was ready to sell the rig and ride the train to a new job waiting in Canada. He stopped at the shop because my Wing/HitchHiker was parked outside. He actually stopped to try to sell the rig. The first thing we found was that the sidecar wheel was toed out by almost two inches and the sidecar and bike leaned into each other badly. It was so pronounced we initially thought something was broken. The guy thought it rode fine, but after we set it up according to specs he was amazed at the difference. I left the company shortly after, but the boss later told me the guy called from the Northwest Territory saying the rest of his journey was uneventful and he decided to keep the rig. Even if it feels good, check the specs.
I may be wrong but I think Mike is probably on the right track. Take time and check the setup or have someone do so for you who has real experience with sidecars. We have seen many cases where a dealer totally blew the setup due to lack of real experience with sidecars.
Keep in mind that there is a lot of stress on wheels with a sidecar rig and that too much toe in or even toe out can surely magnify theses stresses.
Also..spokes need to share the load so to speak so when even one is not tight it can create a problem of brekage in that one or maybe the one next to it. Once on breaks other spokes become very unhappy and will begin to cash it in too.
Hope this helps a little bit as you really shoudl not be having the problems you are.
If you are running a 21" front wheel the heigth specs are moot.
Otherwise it might be mismatched mounts.
Just a thought.
Lonnie
