Hi folks!
I'm new here and thought I might share the hack I recently finished. I used a 2006 Harley-Davidson Sportster 883R with a Motorvation Spyder hack. I chose the 883R because of the wide, flat-track style handlebars, dual discs up front, final gearing more condusive to loads compared to the 1200R, the cost (the bike and hack were almost in the same price range as a Ural), and finally the ability to upgrade the engine to a 1200 inexpensively if more power was needed. Turns out the 883 is just fine and can maintain 70-75 mph if desired, though I generally ride it at 65-70. It averages 40 MPG and is one of the lightest steering rigs I've ridden (I'm a Service Manager at a Harley-Davidson dealer and have some limited hack experience).
I plan on installing stiffer springs in the forks, and replacing the rear shocks sometime in the not too distant future. I'll paint the hack next winter. Other than that it's pretty much done. What do you think?
welcome, Nice looking rig. Looks like good planning went into it. Maybe we will get the chance to meet sometime. I plan to have my FXLR rig and sportster at Mid Ohio Race Course for the AMA vintage bike show in July.
Keith
1977 XLH, 1987 FXLR/Dnepr car
Welcome to the forum, and to sidecaring! That Spyder looks really good on your Sportster. Nice work.
That is a sweet rig. I'm thinking of adding a sidecar to my 06 XL883C. I was interested to read you say that the 883R handles really well with the sidecar. Do you think the Custom would about the same, or does the 21 in wheel and slightly more rake make a big difference? Would a handlebar or foot control change be in order? Thanks.
Very nice looking rig.
I'm also new to sidecaring and my choice was the Spyder also. I'm still adjusting and working on things, My Valkyrie required a sub frame.
I especially like the Brooklands windshield, mine has that also. A form of that windshield appeared on Bugattis and other older classic race cars.
Wayne
JDB,
The Sporty Customs work fine. We've done several of them with Velorex's.
Stock Wide Glide bars work well and are quite inexpensive at about $50.
There should be an example or two in "Hack'ns Hacks" albums here.
Lonnie
Northwest Sidecar
The Sportster makes a pretty neat sidecar puller for a variety of sidecars. It is underated by some but loved by many. Mods to consider woudl be a larger fuel tank and different bars. The flat track type bars are excellent. Buckhorns are not too good.
The Spyder is an excellent choice of course. We will be coming out with
a sidecar called The Freedom Cruiser soon. It will work well on a Sportster or any bike actually when set up properly.
Thanks for the answers. My custom has the 4.5 gal tank, which besides looking great, gives it a pretty good range. I would expect fuel milage to drop off hauling a hack around. Wider bars make a lot of sense. Do forward controls affect sidecar handling anymore than riding solo, i.e. harder to shift weight or stand up on the pegs, etc?
Hack'n's got some great picks. His XL1200C gives me a pretty good idea of what my bike would look like with a hack. Thanks for the tip. The Sporty does look somewhat better with the Spyder over the Velorex, IMHO.
John wrote:"Do forward controls affect sidecar handling anymore than riding solo, i.e. harder to shift weight or stand up on the pegs, etc?" Many sidecar rig sare running around with forward controls. Yes, they are not the greatest thing in the world to allow the ability to stand on the pegs whether it is a solo bike or a sidecar rig. So plan on banging your butt when going over a bump or those rough railraod tracks that creep up on us from time to time. To me highway pegs make a ton more sense and the rider can still kick back if that is theor thing. As far as shifting weight and all of that if the rig is well balanced, meaning the sidecar is of sufficient weught, all of those gymnastics shoudl not be required. To answer your question though, yes, it is not as convenient to shift weight , if you are talking about hanging off, with forward controls. Build a balanced rig and learn to ride it without hanging off and you will no doubt run with the pack easily. Yes, gas milage will drop off when a sidecar is attached. Some state about 10 percent but from my experience it depends a ton on what rig one has, their riding style and many other factors. Anyone new to the sport shoudl read and absorb Hal Kendall's books that are offered here as a free download. Hal is a USCA co founder and thsi is great info he has offered free of charge to anyone who want to view it. A live link is in my signature belwo.
Great info. Thanks.
Hello everyone! I am new to this forum and have never driven a rig. However I found an orriginal '65 rig for my stock '65 and am in refurb stage on the rig. I have been told that I can use triple trees from an old harley trike that I have acess to. Anyone ever used these. Am I going in the right direction?
Sounds like a winner, Joe. Especially with a '65 Pan.
I had to give up my '50 FL sidehack rig due to a crushed right foor that only allowed me to kick it about three times a day. After spending 18K restoring it I didn't want to get rid of the tin covers, mousetrap, and all the stuff that made the kickers look cool so I sold it to friends who have kept it in pristine condition and love the thing.
If that Servicar has a 22 tooth engine sprocket I would suggest adding that to the rig for more optimum gearing. My final gearing was 22T Motor, 44T clutch basket, 24T tranny sprocket and 51T rear with the 74 FL. The 61's seem to go good with a 21T motor sprocket.
Just a suggestion that worked for me.
Lonnie
Thanks Lonnie for the positive and informative feefback. I'll check it out!
Joe
