It may sound like an odd question- but I don't know and I hope the vast knowledge base here can help me out.
I always wanted a sidecar and today I finally had money and opportunity at the same time. Should make for a fun around town rig with my XS850.
Any ideas? I took a few pictures when I picked it up.
It looks like an old Spirit of America. It should be fun on an XS. When I bought my Dnepr it was attached to an 850 Special. It would have been much better suited to a sidecar like yours. Enjoy!
have no idea but the seasoned hackers will be on soon to help you out.
enjoy the ride I am a sorta newbie myself having a blast here in CT snow and all..be careful enjoy the ride,Happy Christmas, L
I've gotta agree with Mike.
It looks like it also has a later optional Lester Mag wheel too.
Back in the early 70's I had one on my WaterBuffalo with a wire spoke wheel that was the only option then. I think the Lester Mags' were available in the mid to late 70's.
Looks like it will make a nice rig if you keep enough ballist in it that is 😉
See attached
I think this illustrates just how popular this model was (or maybe how limited choices were) back in the '70s. We've had this question with a similar chair twice in a couple of months. Still, a very cool sidecar with lots of potential. Enjoy and post lots of pics!
http://www.sidecar.com/megabbs/thread-view.asp?threadid=5383&posts=16
from our USCA files section:
http://www.sidecar.com/megabbs/thread-view.asp?threadid=4295&posts=1
Hey Storysunfolding, where are you located? We have quite a few sidecar runners over here in South Dakota if you're anywhere close.
Thanks for the information guys! I hope to get the sidecar mounted in the next few days and I'll be sure to send it plenty of pics so you can tell me what I did wrong lol
Lunatic- I'm in Northern Va- I just updated my profile as I should have when I joined.
Originally written by storysunfolding on 12/23/2007 2:50 PM
I'm in Northern Va- I just updated my profile as I should have when I joined.
I believe there are sidecar classes conducted at NOVA's Loudon Campus out on Route 7 near Sterling. Contact used to be Claire Wynn at 703-450-2551. Check the NOVA website. I know they are available at other Virginia Community Colleges throughout the state. Virginia used to have one of the best sidecar training programs in the country.
Contact your Virgina State Rep. http://www.sidecar.com/Maps/virginia.htm
Used to live in The Peoples Republic of Northern Virginia myself. a '70s Herndon escapee, a '90s George Mason alum. Taught at NOVA for awhile.
Yep, Claire is still the contact and Terry Hillerich is in charge of the location. He's currently trying to get a sidecar class setup this year but needs to prove that there's enough interest. So far it's only him, me and a few of the other ridercoaches. If it doesn't happen soon I'll head down to the south east part of virginia where a few community colleges offer a sidecar beginner and advanced class.
Am I going to have any issues with the sidecar not having any suspension?
Originally written by storysunfolding on 12/25/2007 3:54 AM
Am I going to have any issues with the sidecar not having any suspension?
I can't tell by your pictures if this car has been modified but if it hasn't the axle should be on a swing arm with a spring over shock absorber in front of the pivot. The sprung shock (typical motorcycle shock) is your suspension. Depending on the shock this setup works quite well and is simple to maintain and adjust. I use a chrome covered shock from a big HD but in the past I used an automotive air shock with an onboard compressor and remote adjustment control. Good for heavy loads but not a real comfortable ride for the monkey.
If you can take some more pics of the wheel and mounting we'd be able to tell you more.
Merry Christmas.
BOB
Originally written by Bob Madigan on 12/25/2007 7:11 AM
If you can take some more pics of the wheel and mounting we'd be able to tell you more.
Ask and you shall receive
Merry Christmas right back at you Bob!
Ste
Story,
You have an early california sidecar torsion suspension there. It may be seized and not work any longer. If you look close there are small FLAT spring leaves inside the pivot area. These when working together twist and create a torsion bar. Early VW bugs used th esame principle.
Problem is that these leaves can break over time. If it is bad enough the whole swingarm can come off the sidecar.
SOME HAVE WELDED THE SWINGARM SOLID so this could be true in your case.
What we do it modify the pivot area to receve a special spindle that allows the pivot to be via timken tapered roller bearings. The original swingarm is TIG welded to a newly machined pivot hub. Then we run a splined end torsion bar across the sidecar frame inside a torsion tube with bushings in each end. The sidecar end of th etorsion bar has a torsion 'arm' on it that is linked to the stock sidecar swingarm. The bike end of th ebar has an adjustable 'stop' on it to allow a simple manual tilt adjustment of th esidecar rig. This system works very well. I will try and get soem pictures soon as we have a couple of them to do in the shop now.
Note that the ones that folks had welded solid will do okay if the welding was good and if the mounts to the bike and the bike itself is capable of taking the additional loads imposed upon it. It also puts more stress on the wheel and th eaxle.
Ride for passenger will nto be the best if the body remains unsprung.
