Wondering where all the Sputnik folks are? Having latched onto one, would like to talk /trade ideas-stories-lies, parts
sourses or whatever???
HD Hank
you win that ebay auction in OK?
Mine started as a sputnick. Over the years I'v added a dual sided swing arm, disk brake and wheel from a BMW R100, shock from an BMW R80ST, sway bar, and pancake 5 gall gas tank under the body. There are some pictures in the photo section. Mine is mounted to a BMW R100RT with Dauntless subframes, (which I broke the front after a couple years use).
What do you plan to mount it to?
Mines on a K75 with Dantles subframe and the fake roll bar. Has the arm strong power steering.
Hi, Sputnik owner here, glad to hear there's a few of us floating around. My rig is mounted on a Dauntless subframe and tied to a 2000 Aprilia Pegaso. I had Dauntless install a wheel and disc brake assy to match the Aprilia, think they used BMW stuff which is interchangeable for the most part. So far I've only put a couple thousand miles on it, none of which were trips longer than a couple of hundred miles. I'm getting ready to ride to Alaska in July, meeting up with a Ural Patrol pilot from Iowa in Bellingham, then heading north. We expect to do the haul road all the way so lots of prep needed. Both of us have ridden to AK before but never on a hack so this should be more than entertaining.
BTW, if anyone is interested I have the original Sputnik wheel and tire, both with 400 miles (claimed by the former owner) available for sale. Don't know what to ask but I expect that shouldn't be too hard to figure out. Sorry if this shouldn't be mentioned on this thread, I'm heading out of town for a few days and don't have time to research things properly.
I'll try to post a couple of pics for everyone, you may note the custom windshield which I fabricated after losing the old one.
Best to all,
LL75
I'll have another shot at posting pics, hopefully my ISP will not dump this time.
LL
HD HANK here sputnik is going on my 85 hd fxr. same bike featured in the current isue of hack"d. I fabbed a new swingarm with 1" trailer axle and a 15" aluminum wheel , lower half&inside of tub in black bedliner paint upper half soon to be black&orange same as bike and former velorex hack . Hoping for good weather soon!!! HD over &out
Here's one we installed on a Sportster last year.
Hi Claude its Hank from Middleburgh NY - nice Sputnik conversion looks sharp. Got the black paint on mine today . couple days dry off then I can lay out the orange scallops takes time. Usually paint outside my garage but the weather has not been cooperative. Frame is done and i'm getting the itch to ride! Good luck on your new place-if we were closer i,d help you move. Hope to get down for rondevoo v. Just remember you can't get there from here HD Hank
Hello Friends,
If I see it right in Claude's foto that is the sheet metal sidecar from the russian ISCH (350ccm, 2 cylinder two stroker, way heavier than necessary)
What I observed on it once, is that the hinges are Mickey Mouse.
I'd suggest to turn some unique or geting something solid frome the next hardware store. Plus a chain or leather belt to keep the cover from tiping over.
the Bajonet lock is handy and reminds me to the MZ s/c, which had better craftmanship in my eyes and its boat is more rigid. But I feel like the ISCH s/c has more beef or better material on the frame.
Regards
Sven Peter
Any other Sputnik users following this?
Thanks
Here's our Custom FXLR Springer with Sputnik III back when we were the first Sputnik dealer in the Northwest.
They were too primitive for our taste with the tin can hinges, cardboard side panels, chintzy upholstery, wide gaps between the hinged panels and slabadab paint jobs. they had good solid frames and chassis but the bodywork was just too Russian.
Until 1995 Matt Humphrey, the importer at the time, sold them at a list price of $800. with /2 BMW mounts. A universal mounting kit listed at $360.00. A year or so later when Dauntless brought them in they listed at $1,795.00 for the same car.
Lonnie
The Sputnik is a nice low end sidecar from Russia. No longer manufactured as far as I know, they are often found used at around $1000.
With a steel body and a slightly heavier chassis, it is a little more robust than the Velorex. A locking trunk is standard. They are a good match for a light or medium sized bike but a little light both in construction and overall weight for heavier bikes.
My biggest complaint with the Sputnik is the funky nose latch. It rattles, is hard to get latched and has sharp edges right where the passenger’s knees are.
I bought some latches from Mc Master Carr for about $15 and easily remedied this issue.
I drilled holes to mount the latches and used a pop rivet gun to attach the hardware to the sidecar body (The right side is shown but I installed a matching latch on the other side).
THe OEM latch was easily removed. I happened to have some corks from some scotch which were a perfect fit for the bottom of the grab rail.
While I was dealing with sharp edges, I beveled the corners of the nose piece at the passenger compartment with an angle grinder and padded them with a little black tape.
Mission Accomplished!
ShareThis
This BMW650/Sputnik combo went through the Adventure Sidecar S/TEP class last June. It was a very tidy rig...
Hi all
I have a sputnik with a dauntless subframe on a moto guzzi ev. It has a disk brake and ural wheel. I put the master cyl on the sidecar. It works off the guzzi foot brake. Sidecar works great with the guzzi.
Would send pic but not good with computer
Lloyd
