the hack I just got is an older cal sidecar with the collet/ball conections. it seems there is some negative comments about this type of mount. what kind of issues did it cause? is it nessessary/prudent to change them?
thanks
Other than the fact that the 5/16"SAE bolt threads holding the extruded collet "Flowers" could strip and release the sidecar from the tiny ball, they worked fine. I have seen this happen in 1987 with a brand new Harley touring rig when in a curve the sidecar lifted and when it landed the front lower (ball and collet) mount let go and ended up causing the rig to roll and send two folks to the hospital with undetermined injuries.
After 1988 CSC dropped this type of mount (for some strange reason) and upgraded to the heim joint (rod end) style of lower mounts. This type mount will not release even if the bearing swivel fails,
By all means, change the early ball and collet mounts out for the Heim joints. The late mounts slip right into the early clamps.
Clevis type frame clamps are available or if using a sub-frame brackets, all current vendors are using the clevis to heim joint, or eye bolt mounts. The only ball and collet mounts still in use are the large 30mm /2 BMW type, used with M72 clones.
Lonnie
Lonnie, would you have any photos of what was or what it should look like? For the technology challenged like me, a photo would help put the description into better perspective. Thanks
After spending some time with Google search I now know what a Heim joint looks like. Fortunately thats what is already installed on mine. Thanks for the information that sent me looking. I'm so glad there are experienced riders helping to keep us (or at least me) safe on the road. Appreciate the information even if sometimes it does take a bit to get through this thick skull.
Loon (and others),
FYI: here are the three types of CSC lower mounts from earliest to present.
The earliest style shown is mounted FS I to Honda. Very shakey setup.
The tiny ball and flower for the collet style used up until 1989. Also questionable.
The Heim (rod end) and clevis used since. Very safe mount used by many sidecar manufacturers today.
Eye to eye and Eye to clevis mounts are also common today and offer safe sidecar mounting.
Lonnie
