Now that the hack is working we are wanting to take the torsion arm off. Our intent is to check it over for wear. We don't have any way of knowing how much use this hack has had without looking. We are proceeding on the premise that it is serviceable without a cutting torch.
We have no pictures or drawing of the torsion assembly. I am hoping someone here can give me some help.
Sharon marked and unclamped the swingarm. The body is already off. We can see the ends of the leaf torsion springs in the rotating sleeve that the swingarm clamped on to.
On the opposite end of the outer torsion spring housing is what looks like a large set screw locked in place with a nylock nut. Do you remove the setscrew, then the springs and rotating end of the torsion assembly come free? I'm thinking it must be a pin that somehow locks the fixed end of the torsion stack in place?
Any help would be appreciated. Mostly we need to know that it will come apart and go back together. The OL would hate to break her favorite toy.
Thanks,
Joe
I don't know about your sidecar. my MZ Superelastic had a bar and there was a lot of preload on it!
The torsion bar itself normally will not have any wear (perhaps after 50 years...
What wears and that a lot are the rubber fists and the reciever rubbers.
On my former sidecar the best way was to lift up the bike on blocks so that the tires would hang in the air. Sling and tie on each side a rope or better a load tensioner (the ones with a ratchet like you use for transport of motorcycles on a trailer) around the frame and the center bar close to the fists that tie the bar to the sidecar main frame. Open the fists and SLOWLY let go the ropes one at a time. WHen the preload is taken of, then you can unscrew the cups on the swings without any danger and change the rubbers. Pretty easy but dirty and slow.
For to reassemble you first mount again the tips in the swings, then with the rope you pull up the bar center against the fist bases and tightened the fists.
What was a very good help was a cheap "mechanical scissor" car jack for to align best the heights.
That little bugger worked for me over 25 years until last year a 3 ton machine glided to the side. I don't know on how many bike engines and tool machinery it made an excellent job.
Intentionally I say mechanical jack => the hydraulic ones can cost you your life, an arm or leg!!!!!
So in your case be aware of the very hard preload and get rid of it or retain it before you loosen anything!
(never ever unscrew anything that has an unretained spring load behind!!!!!)
Good luck and work safe.
Sven Peter
When you unload the swing-arm the torsion spring straps are unloaded. If you back off the nylock nut and the set screw retainer they should be easily removable. Check for condition and breakage. The torsion straps are the same stock (or close enough) as VW Beetle front end torsion strap stock. Replace any broken worn or distorted straps.
If your setup uses the bronze or plastic bushing I believe Dauntless has them.
Lonnie
Northwest Sidecars
Thanks,
That is exactly what I had hoped.
Joe
