HI all.... I'm new at this so bare with me please..this is just the first questions of many I'm sure....I am getting ready to mock up a Motorvation Roadster Royal (1980 model) should I mount the car as close to the bike as possible??? I can get it closer if I remove the right side hard sadle bags if I need to...Thanks Steve
Use this manual http://www.sidecar.com/Files/SC%20Manual.pdf as a reference. Section 2 should provide some answers to your questions.
Thanks for the link.....Boy all that toe in/out... lead....lean...is makin my head hurt...LOL...I will have to read it several times to get it to get thru my thick head...LOL.... Steve
Steve,
There's nothing that says you have to mount the sidecar close in to the bike. Moving the sidecar out and making the whole rig wider will be more stable BUT like just about everything that has to do with sidecars, it is a compromise.
When you accelerate [from a stop or while under way] you will feel a pull towards the sidecar. This is the NORMAL force of inertia and, if it isn't too bad, you'll adjust to it quickly and compensate. When you slow down you'll feel the sidecar push the rig away from the sidecar...inertia again and, if it isn't too bad, you'll adjust to it quickly. The sidecar is acting just as physics demands it should. Moving the sidecar out will increase this behavior and moving it in will diminish it.
Sounds like "in" is better, doesn't it? Well, a narrow rig is not as stable in turns and if you have a light sidecar compared to the tug, a narrow rig will lift the sidecar more easily in right hand turns [given the sidecar is mounted on the right]. You didn't say what bike you're using and that info would help folks give you better answers.
Remember, everything you see on this board is opinion. Not all opinion is correct. YOU need to sift through the psots and pick the stuff that makes sense to you.
Thanks for the info....the way things sound is there is a happy median on all aspects....That's what I'm kinda wanting to find out before I make a hugh fopa to start with...I'm putting this side car on a Suzuki 1500 Intruder... weight around 750 lbs without me on it aroud 1000 lbs with me.....I don't really know what the Roadster Royal weights off hand...Thanks Steve
