I thought I'd start this new topic after beginning the discussion under a different thread.
Improving performance and mpg.....or preventing it from going down.
Is the most efficient shape (assuming there's no passenger)a toneau
cover without a windshield?
If there is to be a fixed windshield would it be better to run the toneau
over the top of the wind and across the cockpit or just across the cockpit?
Howard
'Guzzi Eldorado & Velorex 560
Well,,,if you want to find out how to make it better first you have to know whats makeing it bad, get some masking tape and some plastic ribbon, tape a foot length of the ribbon every 2 sq. inches all over the front and sides and go for a ride, now you can see the air flow, make what changes you think will fix what ever problem and then do it again,,and again,,,and again till you got what you want, shouldn't take more than a couple of summers 🙂
Post on Youtube, please.
Ted,
that method reminds me to somebody south of the Harz-mountains, Hans who had the idea for THE ideal sidecar swing for his wife's MZ...it took him 2 1/2 years and material for 3 or 4 sidecars to bring up an excellent design.
A pushed swing where at breaking there happened no diving in nor lifting up effect and where the axis is inclined, so as more load was in the sidecar as more the s/c wheel tilted to the left and counter ballenced this way the right pulling forces.
For his time, machine time, material and investigation he easily could have bought a EML-sidecar.
Well, Gillberth look for Krauser s/c that look like what you talk about, but that thing is more like a raceing car then a bike with s/c.
Regards
Sven
I went for a ride on the highway today with a passenger in the s/c but no windshield. My bike has a Wixom fairing + windshield.
What I noticed was a comfortable cruising speed at about 55mph. Going to 60-65 required quite a lot more effort both on the eng and me. I felt like I was really pushing the rig hard and lots of small rattles became much louder.
The eng was recently tuned and I'm wondering now if I'm able to do any lengthy road trips. I was quite tired after an hour.
Seems like a dilema-remove the windshield makes and it harder on the rider, leave the windshield and I'm slowing the bike by pushing more air out of the way.
Howard
'74 Police Eldorado + Velorex 560 s/c
If you were arm and shoulder tired, was it from the rig pulling right?
If so you may have an alignment problem. Sometimes it's best to align for the speeds you expect to travel.
How does your sidecar tire wear look? Even? or is it showing the center groove rounding off on one side or the other? If so it's dragging sideways.
These things will add to your fatigue also, as will wind resistance and wind buffeting.
Lonnie
Northwest Sidecars
Lonnie,
I have new Metzlers on the bike and after 700 mi I can't detect any noticeable wear.
I definitely feel the strain in my right arm as the rig pulls to the right at speed. I wasn't sure how much of this is due to the camber of the roads I was on.
Pushing against the right handlebar for an hour to keep the rig straight, while at the same time twisting the throttle open, and just holding on with noise, vibrations etc makes me want to keep it under 30mph.
Maybe some of this is to be expected??
Howard
Howard,
I was referring to the wear pattern of the sidecar tire.
If that is even then more positive lean-out of the motorcycle from the sidecar will get your steering back to neutral.
It may feel like you are leaning to the left at first but you'll soon get used to it.
Lonnie
Originally written by Hack'n on 4/13/2008 4:35 PM
Howard,
I was referring to the wear pattern of the sidecar tire.
If that is even then more positive lean-out of the motorcycle from the sidecar will get your steering back to neutral.
It may feel like you are leaning to the left at first but you'll soon get used to it.Lonnie
Note that with more lean out the rig may be more tipsy in right handers. With a light sidecar more leanout may require ballast or a wider stance to get things working best.
Also if the sidecar has a soft suspenion adding a passenger will tilt the whole rig to the right. This promotes pull to the right of course and it will usually increase with speed.
Lonnie,
The sidecar tire appears to have slightly more wear on the right shoulder.
Also,looking at the bike there's a definite lean-in. When I sit on the bike it becomes vertical.
I repeated yesterday's ride but without a s/c passenger and felt about the same amount of pull to the right.
BTW I've had about 75 pounds of wt welded to the frame and also ride with an 80 pound sandbag when not carrying a passenger.
Howard
'74 Eldorado & Velorex 650
If the bike is vertical with you aboard on a level surface it is leaning to the right on a crowned road and will pull to the right even without wind resistance. The rig will take the path of least resistance (downhill and to the right).
To overcome this you need either:
1- more lean-out
2- more toe-in
3- a combination of the two.
Lonnie
Will be making those adjustments later this week
and let you know.
Thanks,
Howard
