I spent a couple of hours this afternoon and I have a 1/2 size prototype of a sidecar body put together. Full size will be 24" wide and 6' 8" long. It only takes three pieces of sheetmetal. The body will have a frame of 1/2" or 3/4" square tubing. The sheetmetal will be either pop rivited or brazed to the body subframe. The main frame will be made of 1 1/2" square A36 .125” wall thickness. I need to find out if the guy that does the powder coat can do hot rolled steel otherwise I will have to use cold rolled (more expensive). I will have a rounded corner at the back with a 6" radius instead of being square. It will look better. I may use the passenger seat out of my old Ford Ranger. It is only 20" wide and has an adjustable back.
I will use either galvanized or aluminum sheetmetal.
Hi, I'm a new member here and this is actually my first post. I'll be following your project enthusiastically as I'm interested in building my own sidecar too. I've been riding and working on motorcycles since 1963, have a well equipped welding / machine "hobby" shop, and design / fabrication experience. Although I have a couple of "solo" bikes, I recently acquired a budget priced 1992 Sportster to use as a tug for this project. Like you, I have been looking for plans (especially frame dimensions) but have found nothing. However, I should be able to come up with my own by "borrowing" pertinent dimensions from the websites of various manufacturers. Just wanted to check in and let you know that there are other hack fans out here wanting to build their own. Good luck on your project.
Bob
Hey,
It is a hoot working on and modifying sidecars! My 2 cents:
put as many lights as your electrical system will handle!!!!
Sandblasting an A36 steel frame may be thriftier than using a more expensive material.
I use .120" wall square tube stock for most of my fabricating. No tubing bender required and no excess shaping for a tight fitting weldment.
This stock has no mill scale and will also powdercoat well.
Lonnie
Originally written by Hack'n on 7/20/2008 9:50 AM
Sandblasting an A36 steel frame may be thriftier than using a more expensive material.
I use .120" wall square tube stock for most of my fabricating. No tubing bender required and no excess shaping for a tight fitting weldment.
This stock has no mill scale and will also powdercoat well.Lonnie
I forgot the .1 in front of the 250. I think 1/4 would be too hard to work with. Will edit the thread.
