After lurking around the sidecar scene for several months I just purchased a Dnepr sidecar, NOS 1971 vintage in primer, for my Harley 2006 Sportster 1200R. I have been riding intermittently for the last 30 years and decided it was time for something different and help for my aging knees at stoplights.
I have a local shop that installs sidecars on a regular basis lined up to do the install. The shop specializes in Beemers, but is very knowledgable on sidecars. I know the tires / tubes, and any other rubber parts, are probably dry rotted and I plan on those being replaced as part of the install.
Are there any particular issues this model sidecar, or this combination, has that I need to address?
Do all parts interchange between Dnepr and Ural sidecars?
Do accessories such as the tonneau cover / door interchange?
I apoligize for all the questions at once but I'd hate to let a resource like this site go by before I begin the installation project...
Thanks,
The URAL, Dnepr and Chang Jiang are all BMW clones that appear alike but have many differences. Trunk access differs as does suspension, brakes, lug placement for tonneaus, upholstery, fenders, swing-arms and quality control.
Late URAL is best fit and finish wise. The Dnepr, older URAL and CJ are lacking in this respect as there was no US interference to move things along.
The Dnepr wheels are famous for being out of round and runout.
The Dnepr has no door (trunk lid?).
Tonneaus have different lug placement and pins on all three.
I think the windshields are interchangable but the aprons are not.
Lighting and reflectors are different on all three.
Seats are different.
Rear rubber body mounts are also different.
Brake controls are different (rod and bellcrank vs cable).
All three have ball and collet sidecar mounts that will bolt right up to a /2 BMW.
Lonnie
Northwest Sidecars
Thanks for the info Lonnie.
If you have chrome wheel rim, it is a Dnepr export wheel and is round. They were made for Dnepr by a Russian aerospace co.
It is the painted rims with the big nasty weld that are often egg shaped.
Dave
Lessee,
1971 NOS Dnepr.
I doubt that it would have an export aerospace wheel 38 years ago.
Lonnie
Thanks for the info guys...
I am considering putting a new Texas Ranger chassis under the Dnepr sidecar body. I think that would make the install a lot easier and safer. Plus I eliminate the wheel / tire issue as I'll go with theirs.... Any downside to this hybrid?
The Dneper is rough by American standards. It is however very robust. I spend a lot of time on dirt roads and the only frame parts I've broken is the American sub frame.
If you decide to go with the Dneper frame, you can switch the sidecar tire and rim fairly easily. As long as the axle is long enough, you can replace the wheel bearings to fit your axle and shim to fit. I put a Honda GL650 rear wheel on my Dneper to match my bike. It was very easy. I even hooked up the drum brake. I've got over 30,000 miles on my rig with no regrets.
