Tweakin it in... it's a blast!
Don in Nipomo
has the bike got the villiers 2T engine i passad my bike test on one of those back in the sixty's it used to pull amazing wheelies which was rare for any bike in those days & the front suspension is terrific aought to be great with a chair on it.love it to bits
It is a 1960 Hawkstone/Scottish and has a 34A engine which pulls the Velorex up to 50 mph. Street legal in California. The entire rig weighs maybe 400lbs.
First sidecar I've ever owned or built, just wanted to try out something asymetrical.
Driving or piloting compared to "riding" is interesting but I'm getting fairly comfortable as I check and recheck fittings and alignment.
Don in Nipomo
that is a nice looking, retro package,...well done!, have fun with it, cheers crawf.
You must be as old as me. My first bike ( road legal )had a villiers 2T engine. I had a Francis Barnett before that.
Looks great ! How much did it dinge your wallet ?
Originally written by D.Bachtel on 5/3/2009 8:07 PM
Tweakin it in... it's a blast!
Don in Nipomo
Looks great ! How much did it dinge your wallet ?
Bike was $475 at Means Marshalls of Oakland in 1994. Had a sticker on the headlamp that said "engine broken".
$88 dollars worth of Villiers pieces in 2008 took care of that.
Primary chain had shucked it's rollers, jammed the clutch, and sheared the Mag key. I went thru the toppend and cleaned it all up. It's tight and the WR tranny is strong.
Picked up the 560 last year at Paso Robles 1st Annual for $400.
Another $400 to $500 to completely rebuild the the chassis and buy/make the struts and mounts. Lots of time and many, many lunch hours at work.
It's a gas... I've had a track in my backyard since my sons were riding Z50 Hondas - they've since moved on to my full size vintage trail bikes.
Spent a little time this evening sliding around and railing the berms, it's gunna be good fun in the woods and out in the desert.
The plus is that I can roll it to the store to get what not!
Don in Nipomo
Hi mick yes maturing nicely
Let us know how that 15mm axle holds up under more serious off road work.
I have a few extra ones in stock and they have been known to tweak.
Lonnie
Northwest Sidecars
Lonnie...
I'll keep an eye on the axle, read about the failures on this board.
Nothing too extreme in terms of off roading for me, if I make it there and back without breaking myself or the bike I consider that a good ride.
At 52 years old I've broken enough bones and bikes, it's too expensive
and I do my best to avoid anything risky.
Don in Nipomo
Still got spares Lonnie? I believe I have managed to tweak my axle!
Don Bachtel
Nipomo, California
Sorry about your axle, but even so, that is one cool little rig! I have to say, I am a little envious...
Thanks for yor concern! Lonnie has NOS axles so I have a money order in the mail.
In the meantime I sniped it back to square with a 6' pipe. Claudes suggestion.
I need to get my hands on a spare 560 swingarm/axle so I can build it up to 20mm and transfer the stress to some other part!
I'll take it easy on the lefthanders til then....
Don in Nipomo
Your 560 body appears to be mounted backwards. Any particular reason for this, Don?
Lonnie
