Any one ever mounted a sidecar to pressed steel frame, with no lower frame to mount to??
I have a 1964 Honda Dream and Cozy sidecar. Where do I go from here?
Thanks Ken
It will take a sub-frame.
Lonnie
Do I mount the subframe right to the engine block?
BurlinsonK - 11/11/2010 8:34 AM
Do I mount the subframe right to the engine block?
No. The block is thin cast aluminum and it won't take that kind of strain. I'm quite familiar with the early Honda twins. There's nothing to hang a subframe onto with a Dream. You would have to try to gain some strength from points on the upper stamped steel frame and that would increase the weight of the subframe a great deal.
Hack'n - 11/11/2010 11:26 AM
It will take a sub-frame.
Lonnie
And a fairly invloved subframe to do it right...
How about mounting front lower to reenforced crashbar bolted to upper frame front and lower engine bolts. Lower rear to center stand mounts. Upper front to frame and upper rear to frame at upper shock mount. I just want to mount light weight car, but still it has to be safe. I am thankful for any help or hints you can give me. This bike will be my ride to work and back 4 miles, no speed over 45. Thanks Ken
Caseguards (crashbars) are decorative units that may protect the cases in the event of a tipover. They are not structural members so the bars or their mounts are not recommended for sidecar attachment points.
Lonnie
The idea is to define as many attachment points as possible and then connect the dots with the actual subframe. The steering head area is important and a good attachment point but you may have to jump through some hoops to make it happen.I don't have Honda dream here to look at but you get the idea. This type of delima is not uncommon with today's bikes as more and more are going to aluminum perimeter type frames with engines either as stressed memebers or haning off the frame above etc etc.
Crashbars typically are not a good attachemnt point as Lonnie mentioned although where they attach may or may not be sufficient as one on the subframe mounting points. Spreading the load is the key. You may end up with a subframe that almost looks like you built another motorcycle frame but so be it.
See attached pics
IIRC the foot pegs on these bolt onto the bottom of the case on these, that could be a starting point. The Honda 160's that are imported from the orient must be similar and there are a couple of those advertised from time to time on the net. One shows up often on Seattle CL. Max
maxm - 11/18/2010 8:57 AM
IIRC the foot pegs on these bolt onto the bottom of the case on these, that could be a starting point. The Honda 160's that are imported from the orient must be similar and there are a couple of those advertised from time to time on the net. One shows up often on Seattle CL. Max
I've had Hawks, Super Hawks, Dreams, Benlys and 160's and 170 Hondas apart at various times. If you have seen the thin aluminum castings they use, you would conclude that hanging a sidecar onto the cases is a non-starter.
Sure, you can do it, but how long will it last? What if it gives out in a corner? It's completely unsafe as opposed to a heavy, sturdy subframe as suggested by others.
Furthermore, the 305 Dream, while a lovely little bike in its time, is completely underpowered for a sidecar with two people. Sorry, but someone had to say it.
Not at all worried about the power, now stopping will need some work. Car weighs about 185 and rider 165. I see Cozy side cars attached to scooters with less than half the power of a 305 Dream. I 've been riding this bike for years now and there is plenty of power. My Ural doesn't have that much more power.Thinking now of a scooter mounting system, such as a skid plate bolted or welded to the frame near center stand and and one mount to upper frame near rear of gas tank. Just need to use more imagination.
I think the Cozy is much lighter than 185#
Lonnie
Hack'n - 11/28/2010 1:12 PM
I think the Cozy is much lighter than 185#
Lonnie
Much
A 64 Honda dream is a collectors item. are you sure you want to change that condition by sidecaring it?
Also the weird forks may not be good enough.
If the bike is in such condition that it cannot be restored to its' own value, I would sugest looking for a strong discarded dirt bike frame and putting the Honda engine in that to pull a hack.
Back in the sixties, I had a Honda dream parts bike with a good engine.
When my 1960 Jawa 250cc bike threw a crank, I could not get parts so I put the 305 dream engine in it. It was a vast improvement.
Later I built an off road Hack and mounted it on. The frame was strong enough and It was great fun. It had about 60MPH top speed and pulled hills well with the sprockets I used. I don't remember the actual teeth ratios.
I would suggest looking for a suitable frame for your project.
Phelonius
