New to sidecars but solo motorcyclist for 45 years,took a STEP course.I am currently installing an older Velorex 562 on a 1981 Yamaha XS650 and would appreciate any advice.I have the tub off for painting and have the sidecar frame attached to the bike.I have it weighted with 100 lbs of weights and have the toe-in/lean-out and wheel offset pretty much in the ballpark.It tracks pretty straight with just a little wobbling of the bars but I haven't had it over 25-30 mph or out of my neighborhood.Intended purpose is to take the grandkids for rides on country roads.I have a seat belt to install in the tub. Any advice? Thanks.
The nose wiggle should disappear above 25 mph. That's normal without a steering damper. You'll get used to it soon. Set the car as far back as practical. Jack the front wheel off the ground and tighten the neck bearings so the steering doesn't just flop back and forth and you will reduce, or get rid of low speed wobble.
Lonnie
my V-Star 650 and "eagle?" sidecar wobbles a bit as i slow down to 30, i haven,t looked into a stabilizer because it is manageable. if you have too much trouble with it Lonnie or one of the other guys can prob. suggest options for a stabilizer
Make sure that there is no play or flex in the mounting system or wheel bearings. Shake is not uncommon but with no play in the mounts or loose wheel bearings by playing with the toe setting we find that we can usualy make the head shake just about go away. You can sligtly over tighten the steering head bearings on the bike to give a bit more drag. The shake will go away at higher speeds. You can add a steering damper but a damper makes your steering effort harder all of the time and is covering a problem that may be fixable.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793
jay@dmcsidecars.com
Thanks for the input.The wobble is'nt bad and I guess I'll get used to it.What do you think of this combo (562/xs650)? I originally tried to mout the 562 to a 1985 Yamaha Venture Royale.Way too heavy a bike for that light of a sidecar.SCARY.I should have done more homework before trying that.The 562/xs650 combo seems to be a much better and safer set-up and the mounting points were fairly accessible.Power seems to be adequate for what I intend to use it .Thanks again,guys.
I've set up several XS650's and XJ650's with the Velorex 562's through the years. They make great middleweight combos.
Lonnie
