Several friends seem to agree that there must have been some fitment or compatability reasons for the changes.
I have two choices right now. Both pretty good, IMO. The white 72' R60 Toaster is what I have envisioned. The tub painted white to match, with the BM black thin pinstripes like on the fenders. It is a SWB and does not need to go as fast as it looks anyway. The chair is light so about anything should pull it. The 600cc BM should beat that CB350 it was hooked to.
The 77' R75 is a great road bike and well traveled. Probably a better tug choice being a longer wheelbase. That front /7 disc is actually not any better than the ancient drum on the /5. Being such a great road bike I'm inclined to keep it as my two wheel traveler.
Hey I'm not above going out and finding a deticated tug too. The BM's have lots of exposed frame and should be good to pull. I have a good machinist and I'm thinking of custom making some frame pinch mounting blocks. I don't like the crude strap frame mounts. Ditto that flimsy front mount. It is actually a cheaper quote than some stock items I've seen. Point well takedn about some limited flex meeded. Tip on rubber isolation too.
Think the 36 horse, 450 lb., 4-spd. R60 would be a good rig? I am planning on installing some different bars BTW. The earlier /2's all had factory issue "sidecar" tabs on the frames!!! Earles forks and all. Would love to have a nice R60/2 with that heavy front end.
pretty beauties,as long you do not live in steep mounttain area the 60 should give a perfect working horse. And you do not have to drop the feet for a coffee or ice cream.
the R60 has been THE dream bike for many years.
Wider handle bars and perhaps the Earles swing would be exellent matches.
The R60 has a stronger frame and the 75 needs a sub frame allready.
If ypour buddy can make you up 2 ball head bases for the lower mounts and you get ball fists (like all old European rigs (incl. BMW) or recent upper mount at MZ) then you will have much less trouble with alligning.
Sven
Sven
comparing your photos to my brothers Spirit chassis, the suspension and the mounts appear stock. Your chassis has had cross bracing added as well as that odd channel support for the tub. The frame may have been repaired or the lower shock mount moved to fit a new shock, but the axle and swingarm are the same as what Andy had on his before we cut it up.
The mounts suck, particularly the front bottom mount.
If you do have the original shock it is probably too soft. Ground clearance will be minimal and you cant do much about it because the chassis limits the axle's range of travel. Probably not a problem for a street rig as long as the shock/spring is strong enough for the loads imposed on it.
It's a pretty sidecar and I am sure with some work you will have a nice rig when you put it all together. Talk to Claude or Jay about modifying the mounts to a stronger well thought out system.
Sven,
"If your buddy can make you up 2 ball head bases for the lower mounts and you get ball fists (like all old European rigs (incl. BMW) or recent upper mount at MZ) then you will have much less trouble with alligning. "
The old school ball and collet mounts were bulletproof. No wiggle, no rattle, easy to align and I've never heard of a failure (except for the tiny ones that CSC used to use before 1989).
I've saved quite a few from installations where the client wanted adjustable rod end mounts and still use them on some custom installations and utility rigs that have no existing mounts.
Lonnie
Iask muyself if these ball joint + colett arre not possible to buy from Stock (EML, Walther, Sauer, Steib....or industrial supply?
As you show, they seem to make life much easier then the OVEN clamps and turning fists..
Sven
