Got my brakes all connected today and before I bolt the tub back on want your opinion about my setup dimensions. Because of the minimum length of the rear strut I was limited to a wheel offset of 56 inches and wheel lead of 8 inches. The 8 inches is barely 10 percent of my bikes wheelbase and the 56 inch offset sounds like a lot to me because of something I read that I can't relocate. It's a Champion Escort on a 98 Honda Valkyrie. Before I started the process, for some reason I had the dimensions of 50-52 inches offset and 10 wheel lead. Although I have no basis for comparison, the rig seems to drive okay to me. I don't mind getting a shorter strut and adjusting the settings. What dynamics would a shorter offset and longer wheel lead affect? If you have an opinion or recommendation I'd be pleased to hear it. Mike
What is the 52" offset" you mention? Harley has used 8 " to 8 1/2" sidecar wheel lead since the beginning and they are about the same in wheelbase.
Some others use as little as 4".
Less wheel lead equals less tire scrubbing, but more tendency to wander if you don't stay concentrated.
Lonnie
NWSC Ret'd.
Thank you for the feedback. I feel better about the 8 inch lead. I had intended to make it 9 1/2 to 10 inches. The 52 inches was the distance the car is offset from the bike measured from the center of the bikes tire to the center of the car tire. 50 to 52 inches was what I thought I had read was an acceptable distance but mine has ended up at 56 inches. Ive read a wider offset makes the rig stable but it must have negative consequences also like making turns harder? Idk. Just trying to arrive at a good starting alignment while the tub is off and things are easy to get to.
My Harley with a Lak sidecar is about 54" track (rear wheels center to center). I had a production Harley sidecar with a 50" track on the same bike. The wider track has less tendency to lift the wheel in a right turn, feels more stable overall. I don't think its any more difficult to turn with the wider track.
Appreciate the info davet. Sounds like I'm in the ballpark and will leave as is unless someone chimes in with dire warnings about my particular rig combo. I got impatient, mounted the tub and just got back from my first ride with the tub on. 25 miles in town, 2 lane and interstate. I survived. Got a couple of wiring problems I'll investigate tomorrow. I think with the tub on, the left/right pulls on acceleration/braking are a little more pronounced and head shake is harder to stop if I let it get started. Not sure why.
Possible two-tone paint job in the future
