Harley finished at last

So I thought I would share my latest project with you all. It is my 4th sidecar and my third one was 20 years ago so it’s all been quite different this time around. I did mount the sidecar on my second rig but couldn’t really remember.
I decided on a Harley Roadking for the tug for a few reasons not the least of which was the look I wanted to achieve, nice big cruiser with an old style about it, found an immaculate bike with 16,000km on it. I picked up a Dusting replica boat but the chassis was home made and a very poor effort. Got a Memphis fats windscreen and chopped it down for the boat. Armed with this I hit the net and through this forum and other web sites found all the necessary information to start making the chassis and mounts for the bike. I decided early that this was going to be a dedicated sidecar, if I want a solo that will have to be purchased later but I don’t see it in my future. I welded three mounts to the bike frame and a fourth plate was made to attach to the existing floor board plate. I decided to run the upper rear strut through the saddle bag as it puts it at a better location. The chassis was made to a plan I designed by a mate in his workshop and came out really fantastic. I purchased a leading link front end from Unit in the UK. In hind site the bike handled great without it but it is an improvement and the anti dive and harder wearing attributes will no doubt be of benefit in the following years. I like the look of it as well and it is definatly a statement of the bikes dedication to being a tug. I have gone with a simple rubber torsion suspension on the sidecar common here on trailers etc. It seems to be working fine. I had a sway bar made to order and I am quite happy with it. When empty it’s a little rougher but with weight in the chair it’s a definite improvement. The sidecar had to have a hand brake by our state law and this was set up and has come in handy (starting the bike and letting it idle in neutral). Once everything was finished I had to get an engineer to check it all and approve the modifications. I did this before paint so all welds could be checked. Then had to strip it all down and have it painted. The wife had cut the budget a bit by now so it wasn’t the most expensive paint job but came out ok. Powder coat on the chassis and used a flat paint on panels to add to the old style I wanted. Its automotive not just cheap stuff so it should wear fine but down the track I can see a new paint job(or not lol).
All in all I am very happy with the bikes handling and the finished look. It could use a few extra horse power but it cruises fine for now. I would like to thank everyone who has helped with information, especially Claude (thanks mate). It’s been hard as living in country Australia everything has to be ordered and shipped or made. The engineer was a 650km round trip. Took 4 months and I know the thing quite well now and am enjoying it immensely.
Tim