Hello folks -
Finally got my Dnepr car mounted properly on my '98 Moto Guzzi V11EV and am having a lot of fun with it. Used Dauntless mounts and they worked great. I have attached a couple of photos for those interested.
My question: I need a new front tire (current front is a well worn Dunlop D404, sidecar has a new D404 on a Suzuki cast wheel). My rig has a head shake at low speed, 10-20mph. Worse on rough roads. I understand this is somewhat normal. I have the stock steering damper adjusted as tight as it will go, but not sure it is doing much. I am considering a Metzeler Block K on the front; stock is 110/90-18, so I think the 4.00x18 Metzeler should fit. Some of the ads I have seen list the Block K as a tire for small-medium size bikes, and the Guzzi is not what I would call small-medium. Is this a problem? Do any of you out there with experience with the Block K think it might help with the low speed head shake?
Thanks -
Lars Peterson
Maplewood, MN
I've found that the stock Guzzi will barely control head shake on a lighter car such as the 562 Velo. The stock trail front end will probably need a stronger damper to eliminate it altogether.
No experience with the K Blocks but a lot of Beemers use them with good feedback.
Lonnie
Lars,
Nice looking rig. What wheel are you using on your sidecar and is it a bolt on or did you need to modify the axle?
Thanks,
The wheel is from a 1980ish Suzuki GS1000. It was a bolt-on, as the Suzuki had a 20mm axle and all the dimensions worked. I left the disk off. Had to use a tube, as the rim was not marked as tubeless. Seems to work quite well.
Lonnie, thanks for the tips about Guzzis. I think I will try the Block K and pursue a stronger steering damper.
Just a followup to let you know how this turned out- I mounted a 4.00x18 Metzeler Block K on the front of my Guzzi rig, and ordered a Matris hydraulic steering damper from MG Cycle in Albany, Wisconsin. Finished adjusting the toe-in and mounting the new steering damper tonight, and found that my head shake problems are solved. The Matris damper is a direct replacement for the Guzzi V11EV damper (which did almost nothing) and is very strong- when I turn it up near the top limit of the click stops, it provides very stiff resistance. Expensive, but well worth it. I set it on about the 70% level on the click stops, and the rig handles beautifully at low speeds and on rough roads.
I got the Metzeler Block K at Midwest Cycle in Minneapolis; I called and said I was looking for an unusual tire for a sidecar rig. I started to say Metzeler, and the guy at Midwest said "Block K - 4x 18, right?" He said he misordered one two years ago, and has had it on the shelf since. I asked him to hold it for me, and he said "Don't worry - its not going anywhere!". It's kind of nice to be part of a strange, quirky group of really good motorcyclists that are a little bit rare.
Thanks for the update, Lars
Lee
MB5+TW200+CRF250L+GTV300+INT650
XL883R w/Texas Ranger Sidecar
Zuma 50F + Burgman w/Texas Sidecar<Mrs. SwampFox
Beautiful rig, Lars! what type of fairing is that on your Guzzi? do you know where I may find one?also did you adapt that windshield on the hack? Im curious what you used, , as I have a small memphis shades on my hack, and my wife would like more wind protection. Thanks alot, Rick.
Rare? No just going back to the roots.... 3 wheels might be back to 4 years perhaps... or back to 1900 when they used willow chairs on 750tees with 3 hp.
Have a pint on it.
Cheers
Sven
Bigbikerrick - 11/18/2009 10:49 AM Beautiful rig, Lars! what type of fairing is that on your Guzzi? do you know where I may find one? Thanks alot, Rick.
Looks like an H&H. Harpers claim to be the only source of new ones.
http://www.harpermotoguzzi.com/fairing.htm
The fairing on my Guzzi is one of the last made by the old Swanee Aerofoil company. They went under in 2001, I believe. The H&H fairing that Sidecar Mike provided a link for appears to be almost identical - must be made from the old Swanee molds or something. I've been riding with this fairing for about 9 years now and continue to appreciate it. A reasonable amount of air flow to keep a big guy cool, but no buffeting due to the center vent design.
The sidecar windshield is one of the old Moto Guzzi Classic windscreens sold for the California series that I cut down to fit the Dnepr. I took about 4" off the bottom, bent the reinforcing ribs to form mounts, and fabricated a center brace. I like the look, but it doesn't fold down like the Ural-Dnepr windscreens do, so the gas mileage takes a hit.
