I finally was able to get the Velorex side car mounted to my 1974 R90/6 BMW and take it for a ride, it was 9 degrees here yesterday morning so it was a very short ride but my first ride around the neighborhood was not scary so I guess that is a good thing. I have been reading different articles about lean angle and I know everything is a guideline or starting point but can someone tell me first about lean angle. I do not have the car mounted on he frame right now but I have a wooden box with three 40# bags of salt for ballast.
When checking the lean angle is that with me and the passenger on the bike and car loaded ? Or do you check it unloaded ?
I have not gone long enough to see if it tracks straight but if it pulls right for example do I want more toe in ?
Craig
Set with the bike and car loaded with "typical" weight.
A car is basically dead weight. On straight roads, the car is going to pull your rig to the right. Note also that, while the road may be straight, it isn't flat. The center of the road is a bit higher than the shoulder to promote good drainage.
By leaning the bike to the left, you are compensating for the right pull that the car and the road camber are causing. Usually a lean angle of 1 to 3 degrees is all you need, but as you pointed out, that's just a guideline. You will find your optimal setting through trial and error. Hopefully the error part can be skipped! 🙂
I have attached basic alignment instructions.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793
