I became a member last year. I don't have a rig right now, but I have been speaking with Liberty Sidecars. My concerns are probably common with most newly interested in sidecars. so her goes
I have a 1997 heritage springer with an 80 cubic inch motor, will I need to install a performance upgrade to my engine in order to handle the weight of the rig?
Is it common or necessary to add a reverse gear to the bike with the sidecar rig?
How unstable is the bike with a rig attached when maneuvering on windy and curvy highway roads at 55 to 60 mph. Will the rig want to lift off the road at these speeds?
Do the triple trees have to be modified?
Is there anything else that I should be concerned with before I make a purchase?
Thank you so much
The Heritage will handle a sidecar well.
A reverse is seldom added unless a large rig or handicapped driver.
With a well balanced rig you can go legal highway speeds or above. I have driven sidecar rigs up over 100 mph (not recommended on the hiways).
An empty unballasted car will have a tendency to lift in hard right hand corners. Common sense rules here.
The trail needn't be modified if you want to use the bike as a solo at times. There are modified rockers available for the Harley Springers to reduce trail and make easier steering.
Select a sidecar that will support the weight of your projected rider and sidecar loading. Ballast can be added to a lighter sidecar but there are limitations. A good weight balance ratio is 1/3rd sidecar and 2/3rds bike. This can be achieved with ballast or passenger loading.
Lonnie
Northwest Sidecars, LLC
What Hack'n said.
I have a Liberty on a 1400cc Road King. Ride 2 with gear most of the time, no problem.
You will learn not to park facing downhill really quickly.
The raked triple trees are like installing power steering. If you drive curvy, crowned roads with a passenger you will like the raked trees a lot.
The only time I had the hack lift unexpectedly is in a right hand turn onto a secondary road where I was going too fast with no one in the hack. Rest of it... no worries. I have never had problems if I observed the posted speed limits.
Have someone that knows sidecars install and set the rig up for you
