I've been trying to research Harley sidecars to see when they made the last change on them (aside from 07). As far as when they went to the newer frame, disc brake, easy adjustments, etc.. but haven't been able to find anything searching on line. Can anyone help?!?! I've called HD dealers and since most of them don't deal with sidecars they don't have any idea. I'm looking for one for myself and don't want to make a mistake and buy one to old. I believe it was 98 but want to make sure, and if it was 98 did they make any other changes between 98 and 06? Sorry for all the questions.
Thanks for the help!
-Alex-
The '98 models had a disc brake and were easy to align.
Most changes since then have been to the Ultra cars wire loom due to the electronics changes.
There were frame changes to accomodate the Twin cam motors but I don't know if that affected the sidecar mounts.
Lonnie
Yes, they changed to a disc brake and new-style frame in 1998. In 2002 different parts called standoffs were added in the front and rear Heim joint adjusters so that the sidecar bolts didn't have to be removed to adjust toe-in. Also, in '02 the rear mount was changed to two bolts.
They went to single leaf springs in 1994 to lower the tub about 2 -12 inches.
I'm not sure if there were changes in 2007 and 2008.
Thanks gnm, do you know if I bought a 99 TLE if I could make the upgrade on the heim's or do you think it's needed? Or should I try to find an 02 or newer? Thanks again for the help everyone!
Originally written by double on 8/24/2007 5:51 PM
Thanks gnm, do you know if I bought a 99 TLE if I could make the upgrade on the heim's or do you think it's needed? Or should I try to find an 02 or newer? Thanks again for the help everyone!
I don't know what year your HD is. Generally, it's best to get a sidecar that's close to the year of your machine. If you wanted to get a new one in the crate, the dealer will use your VIN number to match the sidecar and the color to your bike. Any color other than black is extra cost.
The new sidecar comes in a crate with all parts necessary to connect your machine to the sidecar. It's a lot of work but if you could do it yourself, you would save lots of money. Also, the dealers tend to keep the takeoff parts if you don't watch them closely. There are brake parts and covers that are different and it's nice to save the parts that have to come off.
I believe that the threads in the frame were changed to LH to make the standoffs work...I have to go and look but I think that's what happened. If that is the case, you would not be able to add the later standoffs. That's why, the later the better with regard to sidecars for your HD FL.
I've got an 05 Ultra and obviously for the wife and I we were looking for the best deal. The 99 comes with all the hardware and it was bolted up to a Roadking so I'd think it would be a match, at least that's what one of the local HD dealers told me. But you're right, it's not cheap, they want 550 to install assuming everything is there.
Originally written by double on 8/24/2007 7:16 PM
I've got an 05 Ultra and obviously for the wife and I we were looking for the best deal. The 99 comes with all the hardware and it was bolted up to a Roadking so I'd think it would be a match, at least that's what one of the local HD dealers told me. But you're right, it's not cheap, they want 550 to install assuming everything is there.
You can get a 2007 TLE with all fittings in black for $7,300 out the door........it all depends upon the price of the used one.
the big gotcha on a used sidecar will be all the little bitty big bux parts
at least 80% of used sidecars dont have all those parts - you need the actual service manual for the sidecar and the bike and go through the installation directions and check off every part it says to install and see if you have it.
typically the brake pedal, the rear master cyl adapter, the rear master cyl res, the rear brake T & plug, the oil sender 90 bend, the special clutch cable and clips, and the saddle bag latch will all be missing.
after that you need to look at exactly what part number forged mounts you have and see if they are for the right bike.
other than that..... you can get any disc brake TLE to work with any twin cam, with the right list of tiny big bux parts. you can get any drum brake TLE to work with a twin cam but almost none of the mount kit parts will work so figure 1K to do it.
dont forget that if you want it to handle really nice you also need a raked sidecar tree - hd doesnt make them for newer than '84 bikes so you have to get a aftermarket one or put up with heavy steering.
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So if I had access to the bike after I bought the sidecar I should be able to get most everything for the installation then hopefully. But I certainly see your point as far as all the little stuff adding up fast.
Originally written by double on 8/25/2007 1:09 PM
So if I had access to the bike after I bought the sidecar I should be able to get most everything for the installation then hopefully. But I certainly see your point as far as all the little stuff adding up fast.
Yep, like Timo says, it sure does add up. That's why I'm suggesting that if a used one is only a couple of grand less than a new one, you might be better off getting new. They come with the expensive parts and all paint matched. Only problem is it takes about 60-75 days to complete the order and then another 2 weeks after shipment to arrive. I ordered mine last October 13 and received the crate on January 4 of this year, just short of three months.
By the way, HD shipping is only $305 for a new one, crated from the factory at Tomahawk. Some of the shipping companies will charge you double that for a used one that you buy on eBay.
I thought about it and I simply couldn't face all that...not knowing what I was getting and paying big shipping with no warranty and still probably having to match the paint.
By the way, the new one has a two year umlimited mileage warranty just like their motorcycles.
Disclaimer: If I sound like I own some of Harley...no I don't but I sure wish I did.
Good luck and Happy Trails!
part of the problem getting all the tiny little big bux parts off the bike the sidecar was installed on is that some of them are hard to get. for example the rear master cyl adapter - in the installation instructions it explains how to get the cartridge out of the case and then says to "discard the case" and install the new one.. well... the bike wont go without it. so to put it back to "pre sidecar" you have to get a new one and put it on to get the special one off.
for the most part you can take a quick look at any bike and tell if it EVER had a sidecar because its very very likely to have a sidecar rear master cylinder & rez and a sidecar brake tee and the pressure switch and the clutch cable.
a - its several hours of work to swap the parts back
b - the directions when installing the sidecar parts all say "discard the part removed" so its gone
and some of them ONLY come in a box called a "installation kit" that costs a cool 1K to buy.
fyi - the pre 2007 brake parts are actually pre twin cam fxr brake parts - 2007 & on the reservour is a sidecar only part and twice the bux. the clutch cable is for bikes with apes & so forth - but it takes hours poreing over the parts book to figure that out.
later
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Originally written by timo482 on 8/26/2007 2:45 AM
part of the problem getting all the tiny little big bux parts off the bike the sidecar was installed on is that some of them are hard to get. for example the rear master cyl adapter - in the installation instructions it explains how to get the cartridge out of the case and then says to "discard the case" and install the new one.. well... the bike wont go without it. so to put it back to "pre sidecar" you have to get a new one and put it on to get the special one off.
for the most part you can take a quick look at any bike and tell if it EVER had a sidecar because its very very likely to have a sidecar rear master cylinder & rez and a sidecar brake tee and the pressure switch and the clutch cable.
a - its several hours of work to swap the parts back
b - the directions when installing the sidecar parts all say "discard the part removed" so its goneand some of them ONLY come in a box called a "installation kit" that costs a cool 1K to buy.
fyi - the pre 2007 brake parts are actually pre twin cam fxr brake parts - 2007 & on the reservour is a sidecar only part and twice the bux. the clutch cable is for bikes with apes & so forth - but it takes hours poreing over the parts book to figure that out.
later
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Above are all good points. I had to laugh when the instructions told me to "discard" removed parts. One of the parts they told me to discard was the original lay-down brake lever. That's got to be worth $100 at the dealer if not more.
It all has to do with your philosophy regarding sidecaring and how much of the work you can do yourself. In my case, I will keep the sidecar on the bike and that's that. It's there when I need it and I don't ride with any club. I also do all of my own work.
The dealer wanted close to $1,000 to set the sidecar up on the bike. (9-10 hours at $90 per hour.....) I saved all of that money and kept all of the "discarded" parts so buying a new sidecar was a good idea for me. I also got a paint match to my motorcycle.
If you can get a used TLE for a very good price, around $3K, for example, then you would have some budget to get a professional paint match and purchase any missing parts. Much more than that and buying a new one really is a no-brainer.
Regards.
