I have a 85 Super Glide with side car , anybody who could give me the best set up specs lead, toe in, lean, etc . The old set up pulled very hard right and the tire was worn out in lumps? I put a front tire from my FLH but still have to put the side car back on. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks for the replies cocerning brakes on my last post...
Originally written by tropicalpete on 5/1/2009 5:38 PM
I have a 85 Super Glide with side car , anybody who could give me the best set up specs lead, toe in, lean, etc . The old set up pulled very hard right and the tire was worn out in lumps? I put a front tire from my FLH but still have to put the side car back on. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks for the replies cocerning brakes on my last post...
The Harley sidecar manuals, of which I hae several generally suggest 3/4" toe-in and a degree or so inward lean so that when the rider is seated, the bike will be near-vertical when the shocks let down. .
I use two long pieces of 1-1/4" square tubing set parallel beside the bike wheels and the sidecar wheel to check toe-in. You should have 3/4" less across the front than the rear on an imaginary line at the tip of the front tire and the tip of the rear.
The lean angle is best checked with a magnetic protractor mounted on the rear brake disc. Loosen the front cross brace and shift the bike until you get it to one degree in. These are good starting points and you may have to try different settings until you get it.
I'm sure someone else can give you a better description but those are the basic starting points. It would help for you to get the factory setup manual.
Be sure to block those straightedges up some so you get the best tire contact for a true toe-in reading. Use the rear wheel only with the Super Glide since you have two different size tires.
I've found less pull to the right when setup with the angle guage reading 1 degree leanout, driver in position. It helps offset wind drag and road camber.
Lonnie
although mine has been converted to fit on left i found set sidecar on bike parallel to the ground so sidecar wheel is vertical toe in is 1/2" & lean out about 2deg i kept adjusting lean until the bike ran straight when freewheeling, it will vary depending on the camber of the road so i set up using the road i most use, it's all a compromise but it's good fun.
Hank's post is the key. Figures given are good starting points but knowing what each adjustment does and what it may do to other adjustments will get the rig dialed in very well.
