After figuring out were all the mounting hardware goes on my 81 Goldwing, I started my install almost two days ago. First I did some preliminary welding of the front lower sidecar mount modification, went pretty well so far, next will be adding a brace member to strengthen it all up. I will have to cut and fit the piece first.
Install the other mounts went as thus:
1. Remove right lower fairing piece, three pillips head screws, D#%! dopped one into the gravel driveway, took some time and a few choice words and finally found the screw. Place a tarp under work for next time. LoL
2. Remove right valve cover guard, not. Need to remove right foot rest running board at the same time, go figure that design out. D#%! broke the bolt on the backside of one tube clamp, will have to punch the bolt out, rivited in place, before I reuse the clamp.
3. Front lower mount install pretty streight forward, only not the foot rest running board will not reinstall, sidecar mount is in the way and cannot be moved, since it uses the same mount stud as the foot rest running boards. This will take some serious thinking, to come up with a modification of the foot rest floor boards mount.
4.Rear lower mount requires removing the center stand, only I almost had to remove the left exhaust to get the pivot pen for the center stand off.
Managed without removing the exhaust and replace yet another seal, but not without further problems. The part that fits on the pivot pen is a tight fit, too tight, grind off a bit of the end and Yureka, it fits.
5. Now for the rest of the rear lower mount, I will have to tap out a bolt hole for a mount bolt first Now where did I store that tap and die set I bought a few years ago and only used once since buying it. LoL Yet another right tool for the job kind of job.
Well that's it so far, not to bad for two days, considering my handicaps.
Too tired for much more work today, will take a Siesta and see how I feel or I should say how much I will be hurting.
One mod about 1/3rd done and another one to be done from scratch, Oh Boy!
Still have the upper mounts to install, but they should be less of a problem, I hope anyway.
Yep, been there, done that. Even though we had all the parts neccessary to install a sidecar from Motorvation, we continually ran into that "install part no.----, BUT FIRST!!!", LOL. We had a small advantage, a garage with a concrete floor, easy to find dropped parts.
Continueing saga continues. I apparently don't know much about Taps. Their is apparently two types for the home machanic. Their is the bottom tap for cleaning out old and/or damaged threads and their is the starter tap for tapping out newly drilled and/or existing none threaded holes. The latter is what I needed, I was told. Of course it was, the only one not available at any of the stores I was able to visit in my limited time, before it was time to catch my transportation back home again.
Did I say I should have my sidecar installed by this weekend? I think I spoke too optimistic, next week is looking more and more apt to be the crowning moment. Back to the phone, theirs got to be at least one tool store and/or hardware store that has this tool, in town.
if that fails, email me what size gun-tap you need. I'll send one out.
There are MANY types of taps for many different tapping needs. While you're at the store looking for the tap, you should alos see if they have any type of cutting fluid for hand tapping. That will help you a lot. Failing that, plain old wd-40 or other light oil will help also.
Originally written by Lunatic on 5/17/2007 4:09 AM
if that fails, email me what size gun-tap you need. I'll send one out.
There are MANY types of taps for many different tapping needs. While you're at the store looking for the tap, you should alos see if they have any type of cutting fluid for hand tapping. That will help you a lot. Failing that, plain old wd-40 or other light oil will help also.
Thanks Lunatic, The offer is well appreciated. If the cutting fluid is the same used on drills to keep the bit cool, I already have some of that, but if it isn't, thanks for the info. WD-40 I have in plenty of quantity. LoL Found two places in town that show promise on the tap size I need. A company called Ames Taping Tools and the ever useful Harbor Freight, only if they have it in stock and as a last resort, since they only offer the tap I need, in a complete set. The price is right, but I don't need another whole set of taps just now.
04:25 A.M. Oh My! Is it time for breakfast yet? LoL Maybe a cup of Jo will do.
I run into the tap issue all the time. If you have a bench grinder, you can carefully grind off the tapered portion and you now have a bottom tap.
Originally written by Mark in Idaho on 5/17/2007 7:32 AM
I run into the tap issue all the time. If you have a bench grinder, you can carefully grind off the tapered portion and you now have a bottom tap.
I guess I didn't make it clear, it is the starter tap that I need, I could have purchased a bottom tap, but I am not sure I could get it to start and then tap the hole true.
I've arranged my transportation for Friday to a tool shack in town, who assured me by phone, that they have the starter tap in stock and at a reasonable price, which is good for me.
The same advice applies in reverse. You just need to be even more careful because you are now grinding the tapered cutting edge. Be sure to grind each flute equally so they are all the same.
Originally written by Mark in Idaho on 5/17/2007 1:47 PM
The same advice applies in reverse. You just need to be even more careful because you are now grinding the tapered cutting edge. Be sure to grind each flute equally so they are all the same.
You must have more faith in your grinding of tools ability than me, I have trouble sharpening drill bits from a bench grinder, that's why I bought a special bit sharpening tool. LoL
It helps to be resourceful living in Idaho. You can't just go down to the store and buy what you need unless you are willing to wait out the shipping time.
If you have no other choise, I suppose you do what you have to do, but given ANY alternative, the idea of hand grinding taps gives me the heeby geeby's. PLEASE, if you need a 'starter' tap (gun tap), or a form tap, or a bottoming tap, or a tap to prep for a heli coil, PLEASE email me. I'll help. Cobbled tooling can easily tap oversized and compromise the strength of the threads. You have the option of doing it right, take me up on the offer. There is no need to cobble.
If you are the least bit squeamish about your tool making ability, by all means wait out the shipping time. I would never recommend "cobbling" anything that might bite me in the a--.
Tap has been purchased, used, and along with a few choice words, the hole now has threads and the lower rear mount is installed, talk about a tight fit, three bolts had to line up to three holes. With the help of a small pry bar, a large screw driver, the holes just barely lined up. One mounting bolt was pre-existing and I wanted to replace it with a new one, only to fine out, that even though it has the same number of threads per inch, it is apparently a metric bolt and the ones that came with the mounting kit are not. So for now, I'll just use the existing metric bolt and change it out later.
Tomorrow it is on to the upper mounts and a brace for the newly welded sidecar front lower mount modification. Then I can install the sidecar and then onto electrical wiring of the lights, Oh Boy! so much fun I am having.
Mounts are on bike frame, all the welding is completed on the sidecar frame modification, all that's left is the clean-up and touch-up paint and the sidecar will be ready for it install. Four days and counting, since I started and three weeks until I hope to make it to my first sidecar meet, riding my own rig. Insurance and registration are but a week away, I hope.
Unless I run into a problem, my next update should have me up and driving around on three wheels, finally.
Good luck on your installation.
Which Sidecar Meet are you headed for?
Lonnie
Northwest Sidecar
