I got the sidecar attached and aligned and test driven. When I drive the rig in the center of the lane, ie; bike wheels in the center, there is no pull. However if I drive with the bike wheels in the car groove or left side of the lane I sometimes notice a very slight pull to the left. I am assuming this is normal and the alignment is correct. Also the rig handles like a dream compared to when it was on the other bike. Lefts and rights are a breeze. No left tire lift but the car is easier to lift now, but dosen't seem to be a problem.
So, with no weight in the car does all this sound right? Also, when I accelerate/decelerate I have no pull to either side and the other bike had hard pull on both. My concern is that I attached and aligned this rig and professionals aligned the old rig. One of us did something wrong and I am hoping it was them. Any thoughts??
If it hadles well for you and tire wear is not an issue (keep and eye on that) just ride it and have fun.
'Professionals' seting up a rig is good but they are not riding it day to day. 'Professinals' can do a good job and may hit it very close the first time around but they shoudl also give you some input on what may be done to make it better after you have gotten some seat time on it. Everyone is different and everyone's experience with a sidecar is at a different level.
I have been known to set up a rig with less lean out than I would have for myself so that a rider could learn easier. After some time they have added some more lean when they felt good about it. Learning to operate a sidecar rig is important but if one can learn what to adjust and why for themselves they will be ahead of the game in the long run.
Hello Dave,
shops are as different as bikes and drivers again have different tastes.
In Germany Hein Gerike (big chain) at my university made horrible jobs in alligning so I had to learn it myself with a lot of try and error, because the manual wasn't very clear and gave you a lot of freedom.
Here in Costa Rica the Jawa importer makes such a good job that I not even thing about makeing it myself. Never got a bike so well alligned as he does with just applying his original manual And he himself just set up in 6 years only 10 bikes or so and all different combinations. Mine is original Jawa and I weight only 78 kg, perhaps that makes the diference.
I picked up mine yesterday night in a tropical rain and it is a beauty to drive again after 2 weeks off the chair. no pulling, no dragging, no flipping just smooth at all speeds. And drift with fun!
If you have a friend who has more experience let him look and try for a small round and get his advice for back feed.
But remember, its your bike, you have to like its behaviour and its your body you want to get home safe.
Regards
Sven Peter Pan
Thanks for the info. I really like the new setup. It drives so smooth now and left hand turns are no longer so difficult. It used to take every bit of muscle I had to turn left, and my arms are not small. Now the rig sails down the road and turns vey easy either direction. But the biggest improvement is my understanding in how the rig operates since I had to do the work myself. I never work on my own equipment, I always took it to someone else. Now I am gaining the confidence to do my own maintenance and minor repairs.
Dave said:
>Now I am gaining the confidence to do my own maintenance and minor repairs.
That what it comes down to, if you do not know your bike into the last corner you might get into trouble at a simple minor failure.
When you know your bike well you even may continue in the middle of nowhere at odd hours or circumstances.(see the story with the 3.piston rod cut off)
Its the same as with oldtimers: Know your vehicle well and you go on and on and on.
And as better you know your bike as better you know when to go to which real specialist because You learned your limits.
In my job those company owners who have the best tecnical education are the first who call me when their machines are on the way to get into real trouble. (normally they call at time before a damage causes consequences)
Best regards and enjoy!
Sven Peter Pan
Congratulations Dave, ya done good. I got my bike back today so I'm ready to go for a putt with ya any time. I guess Archie and I will go into the HOG meeting in the morning and on whatever the ride is. Sure runs good now with the new head temperature sensor installed.
Good to hear you and Archie are wheelin again. If you two are up to it I am leaving Saturday morning for Soap Lake and would enjoy the company. I can't get a room for the night so it will be a day ride. Give me a call if you want to go.
I'll call you in the morning.
