Agreed about the 3/8 bolts. Can you fit high grade 1/2 or 5/8? I'm impressed with the VMax as power source. I haven't changed my avatar but I now have the sidecar attached to my '99 Valkyrie. I must take a proper photo very soon.
Motorvation makes some pretty sturdy frame clamp ass'ys.
I see you used them for your installation.
Lonnie
Rode to work, as almost always. This time I took a motorcycle short cut (long way around).
nole82 - 5/25/2015 3:53 PM
Agreed about the 3/8 bolts. Can you fit high grade 1/2 or 5/8? I'm impressed with the VMax as power source. I haven't changed my avatar but I now have the sidecar attached to my '99 Valkyrie. I must take a proper photo very soon.
Yes I went for 1/2 bolts with Claude's Clevis (3/4)...
I had this bolts on when I bought the sidecar (on this list) (and I did not like them!!!):
I did not like either the clevis(ses?) it came with (compared to the Claude's one):
But after my own "deliberation" I did not even used Clevis(ses?) but flat eye nut as, again, per Claude recommendation!
Now I could open a shop of not used/discarded sidecar fixations....
I like the Motorvation clamps with one reserve: it is easy to tight the perpendicular bolt (around the frame tube) but the one holding the eyelid is a crapshoot on the tightening: it has to be tight enough but at the same time it has to be align with the sidecar ones...
IMHO such set is always the best. 16mm (imperial 5/8"). Clevis that clamps the heim joint from both sides. And bolts with non threaded part. From my last work (mounts for Ural SC and Intruder)
And if you use eyebolts, let them support by the head, like a normal screw:
Instead of being held in a half of thread's length:
By the way such "velorex style" mounts are the very last choice for me. They're always a compromise between a right (or too high) clamping force and the eyenut's angle. If you screw turn the eyebolt too much and want to correct the angle by turnint it a little conterclckwise, you get loose clamp. I'd rather talk an hour to bike's owner, proposing any other better mount, than use this.
One-side jount (eyebolt to eyebolt) will always tend to bend the screw slightly. And always can change the overall setting slightly. Even if they are made from half-rod. I used them, but: only in my own bike, I was constructor, this was an experiment and I observed them continuously. But if you make "mount and go" rig, don't use it. The clevis+eyebolt set bolted with M10 - bolt will not bend, while in the same place, two eyebolts bolted with M12, will bend the bolt and obvoiusly will slide slightly. Tested few times. Yes, I dit tests, then change type of one mount and tested it again with the same setup. Just for practical knowledge.
Next week I start another hack! 😀 Velorex tube, frame made from scratch, to place the tube higher than normal. Guy plans to mount some small trunk below the tube and also wants a pilot's head to be higher than his butts 🙂 Bike is a small criuser-style machine, we will also tune the engine. Three-spoke wheels, everything black.
It's the end of the Rolling Thunder week in DC. We return every year to put Carnations out at Arlington National Cemetery for family and friends. Did it with hack as a flower carrier this year. We took several rides with Patriot Guard friends out of Winchester, Va to local spots and actually escorted their Daughter to her High School Graduation ceremony with a 6 bike escort and her in the hack. Took her Grandmother back home in the tub. 500 total miles in the Shenandoah Valley, with water or daughter ballast and I think I like it.
The downpour on I 66 near Marshall suxd....
'Spent today in Claude Stanley's shop getting a sway bar installed on my BMW R1100TR/Hannigan Classic. Claude and the guys were great and got the sway bar installed in a little over day [advance arrangements required]. I took a few pictures and maybe I can write something up for the Sidecarist.
I made the first day ride on my rig, with a passenger. I rode over to the great river road (Mississippi River) and crossed into Wisconsin to ride south to loop back into Minnesota. We stopped at Colville park along the river and picnicked on tea and energy bars, then rode to Welch Village for Ice Cream. About 150 miles. A delightful day and a pleasure to ride with someone in the chair.
Jim
Gratulations, Tin Boat Captain. Excellent feeling that will not repeat. Now you will learn, explore etc, but the "Yeah, I ride with Navigator in tub!" is one time exerience.
Started preparing my tub to "restoration". Better mudguard and new color fitted to bike. 2 years ago when I mounted a car, it was black. But it emerged that somebody used a "red" primer for steel constructions, on an epoxy tub 
. Now looks so horrible, that even for me it's too bad. So I bought some new sandpapers, epoxy primer, putty, acrylic primer and green Nitro paint.Will also paint side trunks that are "military green" and the bike that is "just green".
Bike also has new front mudguard (classic) and battery cover. The new color I picked is "Forest services green" - nice looking, very similar to bike color. Nitro is very good as a cheap alternative for two-component acrylic for machines that constantly change, like mine.
Does somebody know a good primer to paint Polypropylene? My central rear trunk is PP and if I paint everything, will also want to make it green.
Took the Goldwing highway cruiser, Da'mu out for a South Texas spin. Twenty-one hours and 1058 miles later we are back home.
No lines at the gas station at 3 AM.
Second gas stop, sun peeking out.
Unusual South Texas whitetail.
Route map - Houston - Harlengin - Laredo - Del Rio - Houston
Now to submit the gas receipts to the Iron Butt Association.
Here are a few weekend trips we have done.
1 Local gun shop block party and bike show, Mine and the wifes bike
2 Aiden and I at Rolling Thunder 2015
I installed a new light bar on the Valkyrie this past week. I was unable to keep the halogen running lights in adjustment with the old bar because the lights would hit the top of the radiator in sharp turns.
The stock horn on the Valk isn't very authoritative, so I have an air horn to install. I had one before, but it came off somewhere in Illinois last year on the way to the National Rally. I'll mount this one more securely.
We rode to Storm Lake on Saturday morning for the GWRRA Chapter CC monthly meeting. Most thought it was going to rain and left their bikes at home. The rain didn't come until Saturday night, so I didn't even have to suit up.
I returned from Americade yesterday. There were a few sidecars in attendance. The Valkyrie/Hannigan super-sport attracted some attention. The rig rode very well in last week's rain storm and back yesterday with the afternoon sun. I have not seen so many trikes of various construction as this past week, not my style. The most interesting vehicles at Americade were several Polaris Slingshots. One rider/driver? came from California. I stopped by the Hannigan display at the vendor area. There were a few spectacular new hacks as well as beautifully done side cars. I think the biggest draw was their Indian trike. It was was not for sale but was a demonstration model. Tomorrow morning I leave for the midwest followed by a tour through the Colorado Rockies and then on to the rally in SD. My big project today was changing coolant (only use Honda 50/50) and tightening a few bolts where required. There was no attempt at cleaning the rig. At the rally I never saw a HD that was not spotless at all times save for no more than three rat bikes. Alonzo Bodden, the motorcycling comedian who performed several shows their said, Harley riders go out before dawn to wipe off the black. I like the used look.
Took my 2000 Urinal for its first real ride, meaning heading away fro home. Went to the Euro-Bike ride-in at Tavern on the Lock in Fulton, NY. There was another RPOC there and we did some bonding. Some nice vintage bikes showed up. Met a Scottish gent who was retired from Lucas.
Here is a link to an album with pics I took. Gent in the blue and white jacket looking at the Ariel single is the former Lucas man.
http://s176.photobucket.com/user/snakeoleo/slideshow/Bike%20Events
Regards,
Rob
I rode my old BSA outfit in The Banbury Run an event for pre 1931 motorcycles, sidecars and three wheelers ( www.banbury-run.co.uk). I had to ride a route of 65-70 miles at an average speed of 24 mph, there are two check points on route (you don't know where) to check your doing just that. They don't tell you the exact mileage so you can't work out the right time to finish. Some of the route is down country lanes your lucky to reach 24 mph on. No satnavs GPS or other aides allowed, my bike doesn't even have a speedometer. To my surprise I got a Silver Award which meant I was no more than 5 minutes early or fifteen minutes late at either of the check points or the finish. Top award Gold, no more than 3 minutes early or 5 minutes late. Mileage on the route plus riding there and back made it about a 100 mile round trip. It was mostly solo bike but there were some nice outfits pictures of which, hopefully, are attached.
Sid
