Harley Sidecar

Rick: I think the basic design has remained the same since the beginning its the attachment to the frame thats changed through the years due to changes in the bike frame. I have a 96 TLE ultra in real nice shape that I may be selling in favor of a different style. New I think they are in the 7 to 8 K range. The experts on this site I am sure can add more history and details to your inquiry. PM me if you have an interest.Good luck

The current body design has been around for many years, but the chassis and mounting brackets have evolved to accomodate the motorcycle's frame and swing-arm changes through these years. Also the change from drum to disc brakes and the wiring.
Perhaps your local Harley parts dep't. or Service dep't. can tell you what units and attachments will fit your bike.

Lonnie

Rick, you might want to ask around about the ultra being under powered, to me it all adds up to a pretty heavy sled, you –bike--hack--passenger--luggage, 1600 el beez maybe?? I had the 103 conversion installed to give it a little umph out of the hole. You didn’t mention the extent of your injury but the hack deal does require a little more upper body strength than a solo, however that problem can also be corrected or at least reduced with the triple tree rake [a must in my opinion], my only complaint with the HD rig is the bobbing or rocking hack, it needs some kind of shock or something to keep it steady over bumps and fast acceleration through the gears-- all in all in my opinion the HD rig is a fun and stable ride, but then I’m no expert on the subject and have nothing to compare it to. been a hacker for 1500 miles since Christmas?
Good Luck and have fun Chaplain!!

Colleen and I are heading down Wednesday to Savannah for the 06 Metal Fab Conference and the ABANA get together,, anybody want to ride along??
duck

I've wanted to ride a sidecar rig on a HD for quite some time. I do like the type of power that a HD twin puts out (Low RPM torque) but the lack of a suspension under the sidecar creaps me out. Is there a reason why HD does not have a suspension under their hacks?

Originally written by Lunatic on 3/3/2006 5:13 PM

I've wanted to ride a sidecar rig on a HD for quite some time. I do like the type of power that a HD twin puts out (Low RPM torque) but the lack of a suspension under the sidecar creaps me out. Is there a reason why HD does not have a suspension under their hacks?

I have a friend at Harley. I asked him that very question because my wife never liked the rocking motion. His answer was "That's the only safe way to do it."

Well then, they really should get rid of that dangerous rear suspension on the bike also I would think. MY personal thinking is, either you suspend ALL wheels, or NONE. Having the two on the left suspended, and rigid on the right seems dangerous. I'm probably wrong here, HD has been making bikes for over 100 years, clearly they know the best way to do things, right?

I think you should re-engineer stuff about every 100 years whether is needs it or not! The "baby buggy" from HD looks good, has good ground clearance, etc....but it will make you car sick. My wife hated it. There are plenty of Options, but all have drawbacks. Go with your gut. As long as you get something that fits the rig (weights, length, width, etc....there is no lack of opinions on this subject) you should be fine. I would suggest you look for the closest dealer to you and consider that as part of your purchase. HD is notorious for just "slapping" the TLE on and not really know how to set it up! You can probably find people here willing to help you with set up if you are not close to a pro!

Dundertaker

SidecarMike>I have a friend at Harley. I asked him that very question because my wife never liked the rocking motion. His answer was "That's the only safe way to do it."<

Has anybody ever heard of or tried to solve the bobbing problem?
I can’t believe a gas shock or something along those lines would be unsafe, and if so WHY would it be unsafe?

duck

He was talking about the sidecar suspension. I also feel that if the bike was rigid framed it would make sense. I have to say the last one I rode was a 1996 model, maybe they ride different today.

I never tried a shock, but I did try check straps to limit the movement. Never helped enough to please the Mrs. I now have the Ural sidecar, which she likes, but she won't be really satisfied until I get a big Hannigan. She only rides once or twice a year anymore and I can't justify a Hannigan for that, so I just set it up for me. :0)

Okay, well then if the Chap gets hooked up with an HD rig and doesn’t like the bobbing, it can be worked out safely. Thanks Mike, the strap idea is one I hadn’t heard of, I’ll probably do something to mine but I hate to start drilling holes and carving it up and then go……ooops

duck

Lunatic said:
"Having the two on the left suspended, and rigid on the right seems dangerous."
Statisticly having only two seems to be a lot more dangerous.
Most old rigid framed bike rigs from the last century had sidehacks with a suspended body for passenger comfort but no chassis suspension.
Apparently Harley had good luck with them through the decades and since they are the only surviving manufacturer (from those years) that still offers a sidecar, they feel that if it works, don't fix it. I'm inclined to agree with that train of thought.
People have complained for years about their obsolete push rod air cooled V-twins, but what's ahead in the marketing race? That's right, the "obsolete" Harleys with the retro look. A touch of (Old School)revisited.

Lonnie

If one wishes to firm up any leaf spring suspension, the easiest way is by using a stiffer main spring or adding a leaf. Works on farm buggies, cars and trucks, why not on a sidecar?

Lonnie

Well, da…..add a leaf spring!!!! [can’t see the forest for the trees]
Actually, Chaplain and Lonnie if Colleen keeps dragging her feet over the hack fender,..[looks like she’s been wearing golf cleats], it shouldn’t matter if I start drilling hole and experimenting with the tub bobbing issue.

Here’s something for the Yamaha Venture riders, it’s an address to my riding buddies web site www.wagnercustomproducts.com pretty neat deal for protecting the radiator..

I sold what I had left of the HD fairing trim to a Daytona vendor so I’ll have to spam ya’ll later with that one as soon as I get some more made up, but will more than likely work on a hack piece to match the bike first.
Duck…

Originally written by Hack'n on 3/6/2006 11:45 AM

People have complained for years about their obsolete push rod air cooled V-twins, but what's ahead in the marketing race? That's right, the "obsolete" Harleys with the retro look. A touch of (Old School)revisited.
Lonnie

Perhaps, but my buddy is hinting that the days of air-cooled and belt drive are both severely limited.