I got my Plywood today. ($140) They had some water resistant stuff that didn't look to bad. I picked up some 1 X 6"'s also for reinforcements in a couple places also. My fiberglass and resin ($260) is on the way. Things are coming together:o)
I was eyeing the center stand mount for a mounting point for my sidecar. If I can get it off without removing the exhaust I'll use it. I'll keep you posted. I think a sub frame would be a lot better system.
Wes
Hi Skull -- can you publish some dimensions, or a drawing of the frame you built? I've just finished a custom built bike, and am thinking to build a side car, so I'm doing some research and saw your photo. Thanks!
wes wrote:
>I was eyeing the center stand mount for a mounting point for my sidecar. If I can get it off without removing the exhaust I'll use it. I'll keep you posted. I think a sub frame would be a lot better system.<<
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Food for thought.
In looking closer at your strap clamp the following thoughts came to mind.
Heim ends are used pretty regular today in sidecar mounting systems. They do, by their design, allow for some misalignment of holes and so on and are an easy way to take care of a potential issue. Note that with that being said they are made to rotate. Heim ends can only become tight at the ball area and are made to turn and change angles during their typically intended operation. As far as sidecars go we see tham used for the two lower mounts at the bike. This allows them to rotate when lean out is adjusted and seems to not be a big negative issue otherwise.Side to side movement is cancelled out due to their being two mounts..or so the idea is.
To use heims for all four mounts may be possible but the risk of unwanted movement will rise quite a bit.
Note also that heim ends can exhibit some play within themselves over time. This may not be much of an issue on a sidecar as they are not instaleld to move as they woudl in a linkage system , radius rod or whatever.
We have used heim ends for the lower rear mount but only to allow a little better system when toe in is adjusted as the heim will pivot. On the rest of the mounts we prefer eyenuts and/or clevises.
Thanks for all the help guys. It will be used:o)
Today I made a jig to bend the floor for my sidecar. I am using some thin laminates to make up a thicker piece. I spread glue on the three pieces and set them in my jig.
Then the fun part of clamping it all together. I wish I had a few more clamps. But I think It will turn out fine.
I'm the one on top assisting in the clamping;O)I think I'll let the glue set up for three or four days before I unclamp it.
Hope you enjoy the photos, Wes
While waiting for my glue to dry Ive been whittling on this chunk of 4340 steel shaft.
Here is what I have so far. I have to start on the bearing sizes and thread the end.
I'll try and have it done Wednesday. Fun, Fun, Fun....
Wes
I'm impressed. Your displaying many skills most of us struggle with.
More pictures please.
Thanks for the kind words Mark. I've been building things most of my life. Even though, I'm probably a sprout compared to some of the folks here. This will be my biggest project. I'm pretty excited about it. I don't have much experience with fiberglass or wood. But, I won't be able to say that for long will I;o) I'll try to remember to take more pictures.
Later, Wes
>>.... I've been building things most of my life. Even though, I'm probably a sprout compared to some of the folks here. This will be my biggest project. I'm pretty excited about it. I don't have much experience with fiberglass or wood. But, I won't be able to say that for long will I;o) I'll try to remember to take more pictures.
Later, Wes<<<
Looks good Wes!! Want a job???
You are doing a very workmanlike job. I admire your energy, too. LOL.
I presume that you are turning that nice piece of 4130 steel into your axle. That's an excellent choice for material. It's very strong and yet nicely machineable.
Back in the early 1990's, I purchased a 1980's TLE sidecar at a much-reduced price because it needed restoration. Besides bad paint and upholstery, the axle had been damaged by the previous owner who was, apparently, part Cro-Magnon Man. He was trying to remove the wheel to look at the brake shoes and, instead of using a puller, he decided to smash it off with a large hammer.
So when I got it, there was no nut on the end of the axle, just a mushroomed portion of what had once been a nice 5/5-18 threaded shaft. I cut that off with an air die-grinder and pulled the wheel off with a proper puller.
In inquiring for a new axle, the dealer told me that they were $150 or so but that they were out of stock and obsolete. So I got a piece of 4130 and proceeded to turn one out on my lathe. It took me several days because I had to do the taper and two different sizes of threads but I finally got it right. There's really a lot of satisfaction in doing things like that especially if it's on a project that you are doing for yourself.
Keep filling us in on your sidecar. It looks like it will be a winner!
Well, I pulled the Center stand off. I couldn't get the pin past the exhaust. I'm going to have to do something now. I don't know what yet. I hate to have to pull the exhaust off but It looks like I don't have a choice if I want to use the Center stand area as a mount. What a PITA;o( I'll probably do it though because It will be a better setup. The sub frame will have to be two pieces, that bolt together, I think? I still have some figurin to do. I was hoping I wouldn't have to remove the exhaust.
Wes
After thinking things over.... I think I can use the mounts that the pins go through to bolt the sub frame to. I'll have to grind the flange off the pin that held the centerstand on, to get it out, without removing the exhaust. This way I won't have to monkey with the exhaust when/if I have to remove the sub frame. This should make a very sturdy mount. I'll keep you posted:o)
Wes
Wes, below is a picture of a subframe for a Suzuki we did quite a while back. It is common to do subframes in more than one piece. Connections of subframe pieces can be a tube within a tube or by flanges. Tube inside tube works well ... for instance 1 1/4" .120 wall will receive 1" tubing inside of it or 1 1/2 .120 outside of it, you get the idea. We almost always use round tubing. It is a little harder to work with than square but we feel it gives a better appearance. It is alos stronger in all directions from similar size square stock. Not saying round is the only way to go of course.
We do commonly use center stand mounts for part of the hookup. The fore /aft tube can then be run to the rear to acheive a good hookup point for the lower rear mount.
Try and keep the lower mounting points the same distance from the centerline of the bike and as close as possible to the same distance from the ground. This will help to prevent toe in variations when lean out adjustments are made. Toe in changes when lean out is adjusted can also be curtailed by a combination of vetrtical height and distance from centerline variables between the front and rear mounts but that is far beyond my ability to explain it in writing..think on it and you will get the picture.
The upper rear and even the upper front sidecar mounting points can actually be cantilevered up past where the subframe hooks to the bike frome if desired. Sometimes this gives better strut mounting point. Many times we will do a doube wall tube in this area that runs down below the subframe hookup point and up to the strut mount. This curtails any possibility of flex in that area. Yes, it takes a little more material but that is not the point.
Don't hesitate to run a crossmember over to the left side of the frame when possible. This is especially true on bikes that have a questionable rear frame structures.
Some more examples of subframes if i can get them to post
Thanks for the pictures Claude. They help. I have a couple more pieces for the subframe made. I'll be able to have a buddy help me assemble everything soon. He has a tubing bender:o)
I have a bunch of wood pieces cut out and fit. I unclamped the floor and it turned out perfect! As soon as I get an extra hand, Ill post some pictures. I need help holding things while they get glued and nailed together. I'm starting to get excited;o) It might look like something by the end of the day.
I'll keep you posted.....
Here's what I have so far:o)I'm happy;o)
Later, Wes
