I've already adapted a Ural sidecar into a leaner rig and mounted it to a '99 Victory to haul my dog around. Been thinking about building a second frame that would be used to haul a 250lb KTM dirt bike to trail head. Since the bike Victory has two quick disconnect mounting points currently they could also be used for the dirt bike hauler frame quite easily. I saw a vintage Harley with sidecar rig set up to deliver and pick up motorcycles for a dealership on display in Phoenix a few years back and that got me to thinking. Would be fairly convenient to wheel the KTM up onto a lengthwise running channel, secure it in place then off to the trails. Would just need to lean the dirt bike away a bit to provide the necessary clearance for the Vic to move freely. Without a tub nor a 100 dog total weight would be similar to current setup. Has anyone seen anything similar? Roy
That sounds like a great idea! I am interested in a "leaner rig" can you give me more information how it works, and any photos of the leaning mechanism? I currently hane a friendship II mounted to a Guzzi. Thanks alot, Rick
Hello Roy, what a huge dog!
The idea you have was something pretty common in the thirtees, fiftees and sixtees in Europe. I have seen quite a bit of photos in the German "Markt"-oldtimer magazine in the eightees when I had it still subscribed.
Myself I transported frequently in my sidecar "Dingies" (Longski, bicicle and tandem) They were very helpfull specially in winter the ski in Norway. So why not take with you a trial or motocross bike?
So you might find something in their archives.
http://www.oldtimer-markt.de/
or at the real specialist's magazine
http://www.motorrad-gespanne.de/
Good luck
Sven
It's an idea that has been around forever. Bob Ross in LA ran a shop called Motorcycles Only. He had a Harley with a flat bed to pick up bikes, called it his coffin hauler.
Back in the beginning of M/X there was a guy that would haul his Triumph desert sled to the races via a Harley flatbed.
The greatest one I ever saw was at an Antique M/C rally years ago. An Old gent pulled up on his Vincent with a flat bed Sidecar rig. On the Flat bed was a teens Flying Merkel.
He just got off the Vincent and rolled back the Flying Merkel and putted off.
How cool is that.
I used to have a great shot of Doug Binham using his delivery rig to haul a sidecar bike on the sidecar. If I find it, I'll post it. Not a leaner, though.
The attached V65 Magna Handyman rig utilized a CSC Companion chassis with a flatbed deck upon which a rail or utility box was bolted for miscellaneous shop hauling chores (with speed).
Subsequently sold to a wooden boatwright for hauling and dockside repair work.
Lonnie
The leaner was actually fairly easy to adapt. I lowered the Ural suspension and attached rod ends to the frame supports. Fabricated mounts that would bolt up to existing bolt holes of the Victory's frame. Two bolts attach the rod ends to the mounts. Had to tweek the front mount a bit to find that 'neutral' steering feel. By moving the front bolt hole up and outboard towards the sidecar I was able to find the sweetspot where rig tracks straight without constant steering input. So the front mount is now slightly different than the photos show. Personally I did not care for the steering charateristics of the ridgid setup. Articulated setup feels just like a motorcycle is supposed to. You lean thru the curves. The main thing is keeping the support frame low to provide yourself as much lean angle clearance as possible. I'll be soon modifing my exhaust to 'loop' over the rear support frame in order to gain a few more degrees of lean angle.
If your interested in a leaner I say go for it. I can't believe that you would regret it. Good luck. Roy
Very nice!
Lonnie
Beautiful rig you have there, Roy, I plan to make a leaner some day to try it out, and see how it compares to my rigid setup. Thanks alot, Rick
Roy, you have such a beautiful paint and put your rig that low that I cannot even imagine you outside of a smoothly paved road. Frankly just on a race track.
Best luck
Sven
