Spent today modifying and reinstalling the subframe and sidecar chassis on the Yellow Bandit, painting and reinstalling the subframe and sidecar chassis on the black KLR and installing the subframe and mounts Jay at Dauntless was kind enough to donate to the cause onto the blue KLR. It is beginning to look like I WILL have some bikes to use for my sidecar classes! The first one is two weeks away, May 6~7 and I have been worried sick I wouldn't get these rigs together in time!
project pix:
http://adventuresidecar.com/ASSFLEET/assembling_the_fleet.htm
info about the S/TEP instruction program:
http://adventuresidecar.com/frequently_asked_questions_temp.htm
http://adventuresidecar.com/training06/training06.htm
Wish you were not too far from GA!!!... would have jumped at the opportunity... Ah! those right handers!!!... confidence... confidence...
I truly believe in Classes... after 47 years on two wheels I still take the "CLASS" (Reg Predmore) once a year! Always a detail or two to learn and a new law of physics...
Not much going on here on the East Coast... and since I don't take my usual 6 months vacation a year anymore (www.personalchefara.com)... it sucks on the free time department...
Great job...
Be well... Ara
Just about ready for the first S/TEP class of the season! Finished 3 of the bikes this week, laid out the range yesterday evening and am going over the lesson plan this morning.
I have some new photos of the bikes under construction up at:
http://adventuresidecar.com/ASSFLEET/assfleet3.htm
This one of the dualsport KLR hack I just finished was taken at the field where we will do the driving exercises:
It is not too late to sign up for the class this weekend-contact Hood River Community Education today. Phone (541)386-2055 Info at:
http://adventuresidecar.com/registration.htm
http://adventuresidecar.com/training06/training06.htm
We also have classes in June, August and September.
I was wondering why the subframe on the KLR extends so far out on the left side of the bike. Also, are you using any particular alloy steel for the sidecar frame?
The subframe does extend too far on the left. It is where everything lined up when I mocked up the prototype. I needed to brace the top front mount and also pick up the left footpeg mounts to bolt it to. When I have some time I will probably take it off and rework it so the subframe isn't hanging out there so far where it can snag roots and rocks in the woods. It will work fine on gravel roads and for the class work the way it is, so it won't get changed until after my first class.
I just used mild black steel pipe for everything. I might not have needed all the bracing with better steel, but that is what was readily available to me. It seems to work, with some thought given to where it needs to be braced to keep it from flexing(and it is easy to weld 😉
Class was fun! Next one is the weekend of June17~18
http://adventuresidecar.com/registration.htm
http://adventuresidecar.com/training06/training06.htm
Hi RedMenace, I think what you are doing is a great idea. Did you ever think about adapting one of your rigs for paraplegics/amputees?? I ride all over and my latest rig sports a Kliktronic electric shifter. There are so many people out there with these disabilities that meet me and get very excited very quickly. I don't want them riding my rig, they might just not come back or they might %$#@ it up. These people are everywhere and some of them even have money!! But they need instruction and I'm not that guy. You could shove an add in sportsnspokes.com You could very well land up booked out for a while. Something to ponder. Good luck mate.
Roller.
Red,If you or anyone else needs help or information on adaptive rigs I can suply it. I can build them my self or give information on how to do it your self.
Ron Campbell
Grand Junction Co
970 241 1325
more madness!
Next Adventure Sidecar S/TEP class is June 17~18, 2006
http://adventuresidecar.com/training06/training06.htm
I finally got a chance to take the KLR sidecars out and play. I did three good offroad dualsport rides over the past month and these rigs are fantastic!
Horse power is similar to a Ural, but I expect these bikes will prove more reliable. I don't know what the gearing is in them but it seems well matched to the power.
My friend, Casey Houtz, took the Adventure Sidecar S/TEP class in June and drove my black KLR on two of the rides, including the Black Dog Dualsport Rally. The Black Dog was 130 mile all day ride on all sorts of roads, tracks and trails. Not bad for his second time ever (aside from the class in June) driving a sidecar!
There were 147 bikes entered in the Black Dog Saturday and 11 of them were sidecars! I didn't get to ride the Sunday rally, but I beleive there were 9 sidecars that day, including a very nice Guzzi Quota rig jay from Dauntless Motors rode.
Ride reports and photos here:
http://adventuresidecar.com/KLRrides/KLR%20sidecar%20ride.htm
http://adventuresidecar.com/KLRrides/killerjuly1.htm
http://adventuresidecar.com/BlackDog/BlackDog06.htm
Our next sidecar class is August 12~13 in Hood River, Oregon. Last I checked there were still some openings. We also have a class scheduled September23~24. You can get more information here:
http://adventuresidecar.com/training06/training06.htm
or call Hood River Community Education to sign up for a class (541)386-2055
VW
If you missed the Black Dog there are more rallies coming up
Two of my favorites are the Rat Dog, August 26th and the Scardey Cat Sept 10th, 2006.These are both sidecar friendly rallies
More info here: http://adventuresidecar.com/news.htm
