I want to put together a sidecar rig and as I was looking around at complete units, I couldn't find one that I liked. I knew I wanted an older BMW and I really liked the 1975 version of the r90 6. Found a reasonable bike and and in the process of checking everything out and making sure all is mechanically sound, brakes etc. Today searching the web I found an old manual for this bike. I was reading it, I find in 2 different places that the frame is not designed to mount a sidecar. Sick feeling in my stomach. What have I done.
I have seen multiple examples of this bike with a sidecar so I know it can be done. I have been looking for the sidecar, but now I need to know if it is even possible.
Does anyone sell something that beefs up this frame and allows sidecar mounting? Any information is greatly appreciated.
I don't have hack experience, but I would say that an R90/6 is a good tug - I may be buying one for the same purpose myself sometime. The engine has decent power, reasonable gearbox/final drive ratios and above all, the classic bike look, IMHO. Just don't put a 350 pound sidecar on it and expect it to work well - a lighter-middleweight car like a modern Velorex with 565 frame or URal/Dnepr I think are decent options. At least, I'm looking at those as possible mates with an R90 or R100 airhead for a newb hacker (me) with 30+ years of solo motorcycle riding experience to 'unlearn'!!
BMW never officially advocated sidecar mounting on any of their bikes after the /2 series which ended in 1969 - but that doesn't mean it can't be sucessfully done on BMWs, or many other bikes for that matter.
I think that the airheads all benefit from using a subframe kit to provide more attachment points and strengthen the frame/distribute the sideloading forces to both sides. Google DauntlessMotors and you'll find that they have subframe kits for the /5, /6 and /7 series bikes - I plan to get one of these for whatever airhead I end up with for my 'tug' There are other vendors/mfgrs of these sorts of kits as well.
I'm sure other more experienced folks will be chiming in here soon, too.
The manual probably states that as a way for the company to cover their butt. Since they would not have control of aftermarket additions like a sidecar, it would mean they cannot be held "responsible" if you have an accident. As boxermike says, contacting some of the experts on sidecars will get you information from the people who know.
The 90/6 Beemer will make a fine tug. After 1968 or thereabouts BMW decided to scrap the full perimeter frames (with sidecar Lugs) and stop the frame at the swing arm pivot. In doing so the attachment at the rear is supported by only two 8mm bolts. Pull those and the rear fender drops onto the tire. (Advanced German engineering?)
Short story: A full subframe or subframe brackets must be used for a solid sidecar mounting on later Beemers.
Lonnie
HAck'n is right. My friend had a sidecar installed on his gs 1150 and a subframe was used . The member named Triad posted a few weeks ago asking questions. He succeeded very well...I saw the rig last night. Works great!
Hello bmwamb,
Welcome to the World of Sidecars! Your R 90 6 should make a nice tug! My '94 BMW R1100RS has a "Dauntless" (Dauntlessmotors.com), Sub Frame to accept the Motorvation Formula II Sidecar. There are few different manufacturers/engineers around that can and have fashioned sub frames. Some can be found in the "Links/Books" section of the "Home Page".
Have Fun!
~ Russell
One of my two rigs is a 1973 R75/5 with a Sputnik on the side. With the later BMW (by later, I mean post 1968) you need to use a well designed subframe to tie the two sides of the BMW frame together, and some folks recommend a brace across the front frame downtubes, below the stearing head. Many of the sidecar manufacturers and installers can set you up with what you will need. I got mine from Dauntless motors ( http://www.dmcsidecars.com/Mountinghardware/bmw_mounts.htm).
As for the R90 being a good sidecar tug, my R75 pulls the Sputnik just fine.
What about the Cozy? Is this a suitable sidecar?
Back in 1970s, when /5 BMWs were introduced[after all /2 production had ended]many folks hung chairs on /5s themselves, without knowing what was safe; didn't seek advice from veteran s/c installers. That's what caused the problem, as /5 frames WERE much lighter than /2s[had two of these meself: one solo; one with BMW Hollandia s/c]. My two cents.
.....Old Tom aka papasmurf in NH['95 SE/CSC FSIII/U F front end; 10+ yrs. & countin']
Being a small, light sidecar the Cozy works well on scooters.
They will also need a Velorex attachment kit to mount to a conventional tube framed motorcycle.
We've never attached one to a Beemer or other full size motorcycle.
Lonnie
Northwest Sidecars
A friend in TX attached a Cozy sidecar to his ~ 1980 BMW R65, though he had to make reinforcements to the Cozy's frame and also had to reinforce the attachment bolt holes that held the body of the car onto the frame (Stress cracks). I think he does have some subframe mods on the R65 and also added an offset steering head/triple tree (but retains stock forks, etc.) from Perry's in TX. It is a beautiful rig, and looks like an old Steib/Hollandia rig, but the Cozy needed signficant reinforcement. I like the look of them, but I am not that handy with a welder & torch.
I ran a 1979 Velorex on a 1974 R90/6. The car had a sub-frame included when I got the it. It was custom made (fabricated), it distributes the forces of the car through the frame. It's a pretty effective solution, and I can provide pix if you would like. My issue was the power and braking. I have upgraded the bike to a 1980 R100T, which has dual front discs, 1000cc, and 40mm carbs. It is in the process of being restored. The subframe does fit the new bike. BMW has had the sidecar disclaimer for many years...liability issues, I'm sure.
video of the rig in action:
Great video! I like the sidecar. There is one for sale like it in NC but I can get a new Ural for about the same money. I know everyone has there own opinion, but would the Ural be too heavy to tug? Also, a pic of the subframe would be great.
Here is a Cozy outfit we did a few years back.
Sidecar was lowered. We built a subframe and mounts. The 'universal mounts' offered though Cozy (actually Velorex mounts) did not work out well. It is mounted wide for additional stability and due to the bike being a kickstart only machine.
Good looking rig, Claude.
L.
