How important is the 1/3rd weight rule???

Basicly, the 1/3 rule is an "AT LEAST" rule of thumb. If the bike can handle the weight and doesn't pull too hard on acceleration, you should be fine.
Another trick is to stand on the left side of the bike with both hands on the handlebars. Now step up onto the drivers peg pulling the sidecar up off the ground. Some folks will tell you it should come up gently about a foot or two. If it comes up very quickly your sidecar is too light. Mine is a struggle to get off the ground at all. I like it just as it is.
As time goes by, you'll also find that some of those tools and things you always carry never leave their storage. I probably carry one quarter the stuff I used to take with me.

Dont worry about going over the 1/3 rule...start worrying if
your UNDER it!
If your engine pulls the weight OK, you have no problems.
I'm not an authority on off-road rigs..all cruiser type.
my Beemer /5 weighs around 780 with me on it, and the MV FII tub weighs in at around 250, empty.
add the passenger, and gear in the trunk and it is over 500 pounds .
a 'Little' over the 1/3 limit :o)
handles great! stable on turns...no worries. the 1000 CC engine pulls the weight fine.

It's a concern really only if you go under it - If you go over it, and the bike can't handle it - It'll let itself be known first by a slipping clutch - you've really got to have a weak sister of a clutch, or seriously overloaded in an order of magnitude beyond what you are building up. Also keep in mind the structural rule of thumb. You can plate up a Velorex sidecar with 100 lbs+ of ballast, but you can't do anything structurally to address weaknesses unless you actually start gussetting/welding in new frame sections etc etc .. In other words, don't be planting a velorex onto an 1800 wing, and expect to be happy about the thing starting to fold in on itself.. just a general comment, I know you are working with a stouter Ural base for the chair.

Hey Ara,I remember seeing some photos, if I remember right they were of a Ural rally, the girl in the hack was pretty big….big enough to flip the rig,,, so maybe ya awtah think about limitinn the size of yur date :)duck

Ara..you will be fine. Just practice a little when you load up the sidecar. You may also want to adjust the swaybar back to 'neutral' when you really load it up.
HEY DUCK..THANKS AGAIN FOR THE RIDE 🙂

Thanks for the info... appreciate it...
Hey... Duck... did you get my E mail? Monday is OUT... have to work... big Party... maybe tue or wed? How did you like that storm last night???
I was riding in it... got home about 2am... 400 was closed southbound due to a bad accident... I will drive the truck today!!!

Thanks again... Claude... have a great time this weekend...

Ara

Ara, Yes I received your email, you and anyone else on this board are welcome to stop in any time! I charge twice as much for welding/fab work than it's worth, but, for the USCA members I’ll give half off discount…:)duck

I will say that overloading your sidecar will adversly affect handling and compromise stability in left turns. It can also be a problem if you actualy intend to ride off the beaten path and not just shine it up and park it next to all the other urban SUVs. Too much weight in the sidecar with out a driven sidecar wheel will get you stuck, will cause you to slide right trying to go up a steep hill on loose or slippery surfaces and will require a change of underwear traversing a steep sidehill with the bike on the up hill side.

Paring down the weight will improve performance, the same as it does with almost any other vehicle. The 30% rule is a generalization, not a commandment and exceeding it can be as deleterious as having the sidecar too light. Other factors come into play, such as the width of the rig and most importantly, it's intended use.

Think about a block and tackle or come along and a tow strap as an alternative to the winch and consider your payloads.

Let me add-what a beautiful rig you have put together! And your riding partner looks well suited to the task 🙂

Ara, whatever you do don't overlaod that rack on the nose of the sidecar. That is the worst place to add any weight. Once it is loaded adjust the tilt contol as needed. Then you may want to adjust the swaybar back to 'neutal' so to speak. Count the turns you make on the link so you can put it back where it was. You decide which position you feel better with..there is noting wrong with prelaoding the swaybar if that works best for you in left handers especially...experiment close to home and see what works best for you.

Thanks for all your recommendations... they are well taken...
The winch is just one of those things as... "kids will be kids"... and probably will not do it as when out primitive camping (away from the Winnabagos... ) I already have a pretty heavy load with the gear that I carry including cooking gear... a couple sunshowers full of water (that's 12 gallons of water right there...) and on and on...
Lawrence... I'll try to find you tuesday... will try to find your address too... I think I even have your ph#... I know... just spacing out... since I know that you charge $300 an hour for welding and I just need a spot welding... I think we will be in the $ figure ball park... :-)!
Be well... on my way up to TWO to see Heldge Peterson and not get caught in the Tour of Georgia (bicycle race...!).
Ara

Ara, I just checked out your website http://www.personalchefara.com/index.html What a cool gig!
If you ever find yourself in the wilds of Oregon, look me up.
VW