I have been lurking around this and other side car forums in search of information. I appreciate the quantity and quality of information here. I acquired a small bit of hack experience with Royal Enfield/Cozy When I worked for the importer. I also had the opportunity to rent and ride a CJ750 rig for two days in Beijing. I do a bit of touring so I need more performance than both of those can deliver. I currently ride a K100LT, a ST1100, and well, a 1974 XL350. I tally up about 10 – 12K per year.
However, the more I learn the more decisions seem to need making: keep the K and add a rig, which rig, is any rig useable on the K, buy a complete rig,, etc.?
If I start with the K100LT, then there is the question of the entire plastic mass on the front of the K. Does it increase the handling problems with the added weight over the front wheel? Is the front end strong enough for the added rig?
A few years ago I found the website for the US distributor for EZS Sidecars. I really liked the complete package including the front end replacement and auto wheels included in the kit. It doesn’t seem to be available for the K100 any longer. I have looked over the DMC website and like the looks of the kenna single. Has anyone stuck one to a K?
If I decide to go with a complete rig, I first need to divest the k100LT. I’m out of storage space.
Thanks in advance
jim
Have you checked with Claude Stanley? ( http://www.freedomsidecars.com/sidecars/freedom_sidecars.htm).
He is located in PA, is extremely knowledgeable, and has a sterling reputation. No, he didn't pay me to say that. LOL
I live in CA - only know him via his reputation.
Good Lucky - Have fun - drive safe.
gail
gpers2 - 2/11/2012 10:06 AM
Have you checked with Claude Stanley? ( http://www.freedomsidecars.com/sidecars/freedom_sidecars.htm).
He is located in PA, is extremely knowledgeable, and has a sterling reputation. No, he didn't pay me to say that. LOL
I live in CA - only know him via his reputation.
Good Lucky - Have fun - drive safe.
gail
Thanks for the direction. I will contact them.
jim
Jim,
Hi, I live in Minneapolis [Uptown] and I have a BMW K100rs with a full EML conversion. EML AND EZS are closely related in their design, the founder of EZS was an EML employee . Anyway, the rig is in storage for the winter but pretty easy to get at. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to help if I can.
The difference between EML or EZS and DMC is the "completeness" of the conversion to sidecar. The European kits are very complete and the DMC approach is a well designed subframe and I have to emphasize that all the other stuff, auto wheels, leading link, etc, can be added. There's also a price issue.
Claude does good work and I trust him completely. I've also seen a number of rigs that DMC built that are very well done. If you want a completely converted, full on sidecar rig, your most cost efficient solution is to purchase a used EML or EZS rig. You can probably find a used K100/EML for $7K to as much as you want to spend and you will avoid a lot of frustration.
Hi Jim: Here is a pic of a K100LT w/EML GT2001 sidecar conversion complete with leading links and auto wheels/tires:
Lee
MB5+TW200+CRF250L+GTV300+INT650
XL883R w/Texas Ranger Sidecar
Zuma 50F + Burgman w/Texas Sidecar<Mrs. SwampFox
Al Olme - 2/11/2012 6:00 PM
Jim,
Hi, I live in Minneapolis [Uptown] and I have a BMW K100rs with a full EML conversion. EML AND EZS are closely related in their design, the founder of EZS was an EML employee . Anyway, the rig is in storage for the winter but pretty easy to get at. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to help if I can.
The difference between EML or EZS and DMC is the "completeness" of the conversion to sidecar. The European kits are very complete and the DMC approach is a well designed subframe and I have to emphasize that all the other stuff, auto wheels, leading link, etc, can be added. There's also a price issue.
Claude does good work and I trust him completely. d I've also seen a number of rigs that DMC built that are very well done. If you want a completely converted, full on sidecar rig, your most cost efficient solution is to purchase a used EML or EZS rig. You can probably find a used K100/EML for $7K to as much as you want to spend and you will avoid a lot of frustration.
Thanks for the response.
A full rig is what I am after. I have the ST1100 for two up and solo riding. I will check out the EML rig for the old Beemer.
I live in Lakeville, most of the time, we're then sort of neighbors.
I see the leading link and fat tire as an "intuitive engineering" must have.
The experience with the heavy steering and high speed, relativly speaking, handling of the two rigs I've ridden lead me to think I need the dedicated fronnt end.
jim
SwampFox - 2/11/2012 10:39 PM
Hi Jim: Here is a pic of a K100LT w/EML GT2001 sidecar conversion complete with leading links and auto wheels/tires:
What a beautiful rig!
jim
We have done a few K100 Kenna sidecars. We have a sub frame kit for the K100 that is fairly easy to install and have shipped many for DIY installs. The Kenna comes with all of the bike specific mounts for $3695. Two options I recomend are the tonneau cover and brake.
We also build a leading link front end for the K100
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793
Just a comment I've installed one of Jay's sub frames and it was a piece of cake. Everything fit just fine and it was a simple bolt on operation. One small caveat, the sub frame did arrive a little after the promised delivery date. Good communication should take care of that..
You've been talking about a full on conversion so after the sub frame and sidecar you still want to think about a leading link and new wheels and tires. That's got to be another $3,500 - $4,500. That's the price of a good used older EML rig with a bike. 'Sorry if I seem to be broken record on this but I've been thinking about a new K1600 rig recently and I'm blinded by dollar signs. It's come down to a summer time share or a new rig.
Thanks Jay and Al,
I do cringe when I see the cost of converting the old "K" but then I have a tug that I know Intimately, It's in good condition with only 50K miles on it. It is without a doubt the best bike for weather protection I have ever ridden. On the down side, it's a '90 LT with an 87 RS title. Resale will suck. I bought it as a bill of sale insurance parts bike wtih a bent frame and found a frame and title cheap. It was in great shape once I changed out the frame, replaced some turn signals, and the bags (all used stuff). I've since ridden it 30K miles. I had intended to use the parts on my '86 RT with 100K on it, but sold it to a friend who is still riding it with 160K on the clock.
Back on topic. I do like the looks of the DMC Kenna my eye sees it as a compliment to the style of the K. So with several of the K-Kenna rigs out there, it the handling acceptable? I imagine it would be noticably heavy and tire wear would be significant. I currently run with Dunlop 404's and I read somewherre here on the forum that it is a tire of choice without going to car tires/leading links.
Jim
Leading links and car tires are done for many different reasons. EML and EZS as well as most high end european sidecars run a link front end with a wider automotive tire on the front. My self, I do not like wide automotive tires on the front, Skinny are ok, Wide tires hunt every grove in the road and can be a bit scary in the rain. With the european leading links they are usualy built wider to take the wide wheel. Our leading link runs a stock front wheel. The second reason for the leading link is for much lighter steering. Our link does this for you, I often will run a rear tire on the front as they are less "rounded". Car tires on the rear are a good idea if you are going to put a lot of miles on the bike. It is not all that hard to add an automotive wheel to the rear of the bike. Once nice thing about just doing the basic if you down the road decide that you want a different bike you only need to buy a new mount set.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793
Jay makes a good point about having the flexibility to change tugs. If something happens to the motor on my rig, I'll be shopping for used motors, no option to change tugs at a reasonable price.
About wide front tires.. This is just my opinion, and you'll hear others. A regular bike tire is going to get used up quickly. Remember, it is designed to use tread that runs half way up the sidewall and you won't get to use that part. Some folks do get decent wear out of Dunlops. I can't remember the number but it's 490 something. If you want a narrow front tire, I'd go for a compromise tire like a Metzler Block K [18" ONLY and 4 inches wide] or Avon Triple Duty [19" ONLY]. Both these have square sections and were built for sidecar use. Don't give up on small section car tires either, some work nicely and some folks even mount them on bike wheels [16" and larger seem to work but this may not be a "best practice"]. Jay used to have the world's remaining supply of "Twin Tires" but I'm pretty sure they are long gone.
Oh, about "hunting" for grooves in the road... yep, it does happen but fiddling with tire pressure, bearing pre-load and maybe a steering damper ill make it pretty controllable.
Good point about changing tugs.
I have run the D 491's on the Beemer. The profile is flatter than the D 404's. On the bike, the 491's were less agressive in the twisties, and gave the bike headshake on deceleration. It was not a good feeling when late braking into a hairpin turn.
jim
