Right, so I ride a 1995 KZ1000P. I'm taking it cross country - leaving July 5th.
I've just purchased a Velorex 563 sidecar to mount onto the bike - for added luggage space (moving to Phoenix - bike to be 'soul' transport for next 16+ months), stability, and passengers (maybe).
I'm looking for advice. Will I need to weight the sidecar? My bike weighs between 600-650 pounds.
If I do need to add ballast, how and where should I mount it? What should I mount? Does it need to be steel plate?
Thoughts, Advice, Ect... would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
I ran many a mile on an '80s KZ with 562's and we had a couple of sandbags to weigh up the car,..the velorex car is a hint light for the big bike,but will work well,..be mindful of how far for or aft of the rear axel you set your car axel, that will certainly effect your handelling,...for best results, contact one of the many installers on this site for the soundest set-up and "all" the required adjustments involved.safe is not as easy as it looks,.. good luck, crawf.
I know a lady who runs a Velorex on a V-Star 650, which, I'm guessing, weighs around the same as yours. She carries a pair of barbell weights under the seat.
The 563T weighs 170#. If using soft ballast (won't damage the body if it shifts) place it behind the seat in the trunk. Steel stock if used, works best mounted below the body, placed at the rear of the the frame and to the outside if possible.
Here are two examples of permenant ballast: A 563T using 3" steel rod stock for ballast and a 562C using 1"x5" steel plate.
Lonnie
Northwest Sidecars
I had a 5/16 inch steel plate welded inside my frame om my Velorex 560. It adds about 75lbs of weight low down and also adds rigidity to the frame.
Check out the first photo in my Romalotta album.
I also carry a sandbag if I'm going through twisty roads.
I just lay mine on the seat midpoint in the car. Don't understand why Lonnie suggests behind the seat unless it's to allow for a passenger. I've tried it there and also up front but feel it handles best when centered
Howard
Don't understand why Lonnie suggests behind the seat unless it's to allow for a passenger.
Try a quick stop going downhill in a left turn and you will know why the weight belongs at the rear. When the rear bike wheel leaves the ground and the front of the sidecar dips it's nose into the tarmac it will all become clear.
Lonnie
A
Thanks Fellas, you're great.
Lonnie,
What would you consider I use as a soft ballast? And how much should said ballast weigh?
One inexpensive weight is a sand tube (used by pickup owners in the winter). Most building supplies have them for cheap. They are easily folded and will fit in the trunk of all models of Velorex. If packed too tightly you may have to reset the closure wire to relax the tube.
They weigh 60# to 70# each.
Gilberth,
A 12"x 12"x 1" piece of A36 (mild) steel weighs 40#. I'm not sure your 5/16" ballast plate in photo 1 weighs 75#.
Lonnie
Sand tube, cool.
Thanks.
Lonnie,
I appreciate your advice about moving the sandbag farther aft and the reason for it.
I hope you didn't experience the maneuver you describe.
Howard
my first scoot with my 4 year old saw me lift the rear bike tire in a panic stop, ( pickup signaled left and turned right across my lane) I was amazed how much seat my tushie could eat, LOL... crawf.
