Daryl Martel - 1/14/2011 10:48 PM Mike - I'm assuming that the brake caliper is hydraulic operated... by a hydraulic line connected with a double banjo fitting to the rear brake cylinder? Same rear brake pedal operates both rear & sidecar brake, correct? I apologize for my ignorance, but no kidding, I've seen so very few sidecars over the years.
Yes, the factory setup calls for the line to be spliced in to the existing brakes with a single pedal. I'm told a lot of people do it to the front brake, but it is recommended to add it to the rear.
The banjo bolt required is a 10X1.25 and looks like this;
This is usually installed by removing the one on the master cylinder or caliper, and replacing it with this one and the banjo.
I've gotten a few emails from people who say I should not be listing interchanges and such, that I am somehow cheating the company that built the sidecar. Let me repeat that California Sidecar Company no longer builds sidecars.
If you call with a sidecar question, the usual response is simply "We no longer do sidecars". If you are lucky, Scott will answer the phone. He appears to be the only employee who had anything to do with them. He will help you get information, but can not get you parts.
I would not be doing this, nor need to, if the parts were still readily available from the manufacturer.
Mike
Thnx Mike - I'm pretty sure I'll be sourcing a brake for my car. Am upgrading to stainless flex hoses too - my brakes are just too soft. I want to maximize stopping power... gotta really hit the binders hard once in a while here in city traffic! I'd imagine driving without a brake on the sidecar can be a little exciting at times!
On 1500 Goldving you have to connect sidecar brake to the front brake. Rear alredy linked to front left caliper.
SidecarMike - 1/21/2011 5:47 PM
I've gotten a few emails from people who say I should not be listing interchanges and such, that I am somehow cheating the company that built the sidecar. Let me repeat that California Sidecar Company no longer builds sidecars>
Thanks for listing interchanges. Calls to California end up with no help at all... Do you know where to get rear light(smaller) for older Frendship 3?
VLAD - 1/21/2011 5:51 PM
SidecarMike - 1/21/2011 5:47 PM I've gotten a few emails from people who say I should not be listing interchanges and such, that I am somehow cheating the company that built the sidecar. Let me repeat that California Sidecar Company no longer builds sidecars>
Thanks for listing interchanges. Calls to California end up with no help at all... Do you know where to get rear light(smaller) for older Frendship 3?
I haven't seen what they look like. Can you post a photo? Maybe we can figure it out.
Mike - re having "gotten a few emails from people who say I should not be listing interchanges and such, that I am somehow cheating the company that built the sidecar." They should mind their own business. Everyone buys motorcycle and automobile parts wherever. Nothing wrong from sourcing parts where you can. Internet & mailorder have changed everything.
Daryl Martel - 1/21/2011 4:12 PM
Mike - re having "gotten a few emails from people who say I should not be listing interchanges and such, that I am somehow cheating the company that built the sidecar." They should mind their own business. Everyone buys motorcycle and automobile parts wherever. Nothing wrong from sourcing parts where you can. Internet & mailorder have changed everything.
Absolutely. Any source for parts is perfectly OK, especially since the company is either out of business or has quit building sidecars. In effect, there's no one left to care.
The same thing is going to happen with Harley sidecars in a few years since they quit taking orders for them this year.
Like you say, people should mind their own business.
Thanks guys. I'm working on photos of the brake and electric lean. I'll post them in a day or two.
Here's a couple of early FSI taillight pix.
The lenses used to be available at truck stops.
My Friendship II I just bought.
Hack'n - 1/21/2011 8:35 PM Here's a couple of early FSI taillight pix. The lenses used to be available at truck stops.
Thanks Lonnie. I never was able to find replacements for Jennifer's lenses. We finally enlarged the holes and used different lights all together.
Anyone out there have a photo of a Formula 2SE or 3 with the short taillight?
Slowly but surely, the marraige is taking shape
Of course, I'm about ready for a test drive, so we have a major winter event taking place outside. Oh well, I'll just have to clear the driveway before we go.
Nice. They really look made for each other (styling wise). What does a guy have to fabricate in the way of adaptor mounts to hang a sidecar on a GL1500? Am considering that upgrade myself (ahem - don't tell the wife!).
With all the bodywork involved, it doesn't pay to reinvent the wheel. Buy a mounting kit from someplace like Dauntless, designed to mate your sidecar. It came with templates that made it easy. I had to drill out the front passenger handhold, drill a 1 1/4" hole in the front lower panel, and cut an access in the lower cowl. The front upper mount is just a clamp on the frame, but the other three are subframes.
Thnx Mike - I had Peter & Brock at Side Effects make me the adaptor brackets I needed for my GL1100. I've gotta do a little fitting and am going to get the rear bracket assembly professionally welded up and powder coated. I agree, why take a chance on something so critical. Am just curious to see the various engineering solutions - it's the aircraft mechanic in me :^)
