I recently bought a Yamaha V-Star 1100 with a Friendship III sidecar. The guy I bought it from gave me a part for a brake system to the sidecar. He said he didn't think it needed to be put on, but I thought it would be a good idea to have it installed. I took it in to the Honda dealer (I have 2 Rebels and a Shadow w/sidecar too) The hooked the brake system up on the sidecar to the rear brake on the bike. They called me today and said after doing that the brake on the bike was kind of soft when they test rode it, but worked fine when they disconnected it. Does anyone out there have any advice on what they could do that will make it work? I also had them look at the front brake master cylinder since the bike pulls a little to the left when you brake. They said it either needs a new master cylinder or to be rebuilt. Again, I am not very mechanical so hopefully someone has had experience with this as well. I just want to make sure my bike is safe to be driving around since my kids will be riding in the sidecar.
ANGIEHAV - 5/7/2011 11:42 PM
... the [rear] brake on the bike was kind of soft when they test rode it, but worked fine when they disconnected it....
...the bike pulls a little to the left when you brake....
Hi Angie:
Although I have a couple of ideas re: the rear brake, I will defer to our members with more technical experience.
As for the front brake, all sidecars pull left on slowing/braking -- actually it is more "push" left as the sidecar momentum keeps going as the bike is slowing, resulting in the sidecar pushing the bike to the left. Most of us learn to compensate without much thought. Of course, the larger the sidecar relative to the bike, the more the push effect. A properly adjusted brake on the sidecar can alleviate most of the push, but I understand such can be difficult to obtain. Our EML rig brakes quite straight, but pushes left on deceleration.
Lee
MB5+TW200+CRF250L+GTV300+INT650
XL883R w/Texas Ranger Sidecar
Zuma 50F + Burgman w/Texas Sidecar<Mrs. SwampFox
I've never noticed a pull with my Shadow & sidecar. But I guess the Friendship sidecar is much bigger than the one I have on the Shadow. When I get a chance I will post some pics of the Shadow & sidecar.
The FSIII is also a much wider rig than the singles, adding to the push/pull effect.
A soft brake usually indicated that there is still some air in the line.
Lonnie
ANGIEHAV - 5/7/2011 11:42 PM
I also had them look at the front brake master cylinder since the bike pulls a little to the left when you brake. QUOTE]
Sounds like brake on sidecar not worling. My goldwing with frendship III going straight when i stop. Some small variation for empty sidecar or loaded.
I haven't hooked up the brake on my Friendship III, but past experience tells me it still has air in the system. Once it's purged, it should stop you in a straight line.
Brake line on frendship III is so long so I can't do brakes without handy air gismo I borrow from my auto mechanic frend. Tryed to pump it manualy for long time - did not work. Sidecar brake on Gl1500 conected to front righte brake (front left and rear working together). Front brake fils little soft but stops good.
Another option, though tedious. It was recommended that I unbolt the caliper from the sidecar, leaving the flex hose attached. The line is long enough to pass it under the sidecar and raise it above the master cylinder. Support it in that position overnight, then bleed it with something between the pads. Reattach it and you should be fine.
I've not done this yet, but it makes sense.
