I have a Honda 750 Aero and would like to have a reverse gear. In the future if I can not get a reverse gear I plan to buy a bike that has a reverse gear or one that it can be installed on. What bikes have a reverse gear option? Has anyone mounted a sidecar to a Buel Blast? I was thinking of buying one to mount my California Companion to.
A comapny named Champion makes a reverse gear kit for big twin Harleys. Honda Goldwings and Valkries have an electric reverse. Urals have a reverse. I believe older air head BMW can have a reverse but I don't know if there is an off the shelf kit or not.
reverse gears are very over rated, except for in the Boonies.
most all road rigs do very well without them. all youy need is a little foresight...plan ahead when parking. never park head on in a parking space unless it slopes back out towards the center.
If 2 spaces are available, pull in from the far left side and make a "U" turn to the right, facing out , in the next spot. you should be in the center of the other space at that time...perfect!
If possible, in parking lots, look for a space open in front, and pull thru to the next spot ahead, facing out. no backing up needed.
If all else fails , and you MUST just pull into a parking spot downhill, just aproach the spot, and drive the rig around, then roll back into the parking spot. If you really are stuck in a spot,there are always [usually] Civvies around more than willing to give you a push backwards, with smiles on thier faces!
Dont be concerned with parking next to your pals, if the spot is not correct, altho they can just give you a push, if needed.. park where you find a satisfactory spot, and walk a little, and park with no concerns about getting out later.
A reverse gear is not at all overated for some of us. It is a nececity for me, a paraplegic.
Originally written by Joseph on 11/1/2006 9:24 AM
I have a Honda 750 Aero and would like to have a reverse gear. In the future if I can not get a reverse gear I plan to buy a bike that has a reverse gear or one that it can be installed on. What bikes have a reverse gear option? Has anyone mounted a sidecar to a Buel Blast? I was thinking of buying one to mount my California Companion to.
The GL1500 Honda (1988-2000) is a great motorcycle for a sidecar. They are big, heavy and have a sturdy frame. They also have an electric reverse that works very well. I owned one for about 6 years as a solo and the reverse was always fun and quite useful for a bike that is close to a half ton in weight.
I'm sorry, I didnt mean to offend the people who really need it. I was referring to people who are able, and THINK they are necessary on a rig. more of an added luxury. I should have mentioned that.
They are very convenient for the disabled.
Yes Roberto, I was going to jump on you, too. I recently decided to see what it was like not using the reverse on my Ural. Just getting it out of the garage and turned around in my gravel driveway left me gasping for air (emphysema). Reverse is HEAVEN when you are a gimp!!!!
I did my part in giving Claude ulcers when I specified my new rig he is building for me HAD TO HAVE a reverse. It and the front fork are probably the two factors that have delayed delivery. I feel both are worth the wait!
Sarge
We have added reverse drive on the rear wheel with an electric motor when we build sidecars for special needs persons.
We also have a reverse gear coming out in spring that replaces the stock drive sprocket on the rear of belt drive bikes with a sproket that has reverse built into it. At first we will have it for FLH Harley's It time we hope to have it for most belt drive bikes.
Jay Giese
Dauntless Motors Corporation
www.dauntlessmotors.com
866-638-1793
Ok... so someone took my idea and moved it over here...
I had originally asked in the tech discussion section about anybody knowing about a reverse gear conversion that is supposed to be available for the BMW airhead 5-speed gearbox.
There is supposed to be some German outfit making them up, and it retains all 5 forward gears plus a gear driven reverse.
I also saw mention of someone from Michigan who built their own custom reverse gear conversion/add-on for an airhead BMW gearbox on his hack rig. Anybody have a name/contact info for him/her???
Any leads would be appreciated, as I am one of the walking wounded (gimp, disabled vet, whatever you want to call me...) and have real trouble pushing my rig backwards at times. Especially on my girlfriend's very narrow, cracked and uneven/heaved driveway...
Thanks!
Originally written by JayDauntless on 11/1/2006 9:48 PM
We have added reverse drive on the rear wheel with an electric motor when we build sidecars for special needs persons.
So, How does this work? is it a friction drive against the tire where the motor head has to be moved against the tire? Overrunning clutch sprocket arrangement?
Have you put something similar on any airhead BMW's?
Is it something that could be mounted on the sidecar wheel for those times when I want to switch the bike back to solo operation in the warmer months when my legs are in better shape?
(2003 Champion Escort [no TILT or brake installed currently])
What kind of price range are we talking about for such a setup?
Inquiring minds want to know! 😉
Thanks!
I have a photo of one that uses a bike rear sprocket bolted to the SC wheel inside, and uses an auto starter with a lever going to the bike side, to pull the starter into the sprocket to mesh the gear for backing up.
Originally written by Bob in Wis on 11/2/2006 2:56 AM
I have a photo of one that uses a bike rear sprocket bolted to the SC wheel inside, and uses an auto starter with a lever going to the bike side, to pull the starter into the sprocket to mesh the gear for backing up.
This is what HD used to have for their sidecar. It had a ring gear that went on the sidecar wheel with a cast steel bracket for a car starter, relay and associated wiring. They used an extra battery that mounted in the sidecar trunk. I believe the extra battery was parallel to the motorcycle battery in order to get a charge.
It was rather pricey even ten years ago, around $1,300 as I recall. They no longer make these since they didn't sell very well. It required that you devote the whole sidecar trunk to the battery since with the acid, nothing else could be near it.
To Bob in Wis,
No offence taken what so ever. The skin is too darn thick for that! I just wanted to point out that for some they are a must.
I Like to use the reverse on my rig as much as I can jut to see the reaction on peoples faces. A hack with a wheelchair on the back going backwards is a eyefull.
Cheers,
We did one not long ago on a Moto Guzzi Convert that was driven from the left hand mount sidecar while in the wheel chair. On this bike I took the hub that the rear brake rotor is attached to and split in on our lathe. I then installed a flex plate (fly wheel) from a Chevy 2 between the two halves of the rotor mount. We then mounted a starter motor on the swing arm. We had to change the brake calipar to a thinner one to still fit and then relocate the parking brake to the front wheel.
Jay Giese
Dauntless Motors Corporation
www.dauntlessmotors.com
866-638-1793
OOOPS, I also forgot about those who have trouble pushing the rig backwards out of garages, or drives. but, if its possible, drive the bike around and roll back down into the garage if it slopes into it.
anyway, here's the pic I was talking about..crude, but can give many an idea what works.
