I have a early friendship. It is like new and I could afford it so now need to hook it up.
It has hookups for a Harley, but those can be modified and I can weld so thats easy.
It is the brake or lack of a brake and the electric lean that I want to install. Dauntless made a kit but no more are available to convert the torsion bar to a spring shock setup and also to electric lean.
If I could get some pictures or sketches on this I would ne able to do it myself. Is anyone out there that can help me?
Boy I'd like to see those pics/sketches too! It'd be more comfy for Luke. I don't have the skill to make the modification myself, but "Wizzard Kurt" does I'm sure. By the way, a few years ago, I replaced the stock seat on my California with an aftermarket Jeep seat from Whitney. It fit perfectly and was just a little over $100 as I recall. One shortcoming is that it raised Luke slightly higher and the top is no longer useable because it make Luke scrunch down. Sooooo, if I get wet (like I did yesterday) he gets wet too (as he did).
Ron-n-Luke
Hi,
I have a Calf. Companion Sidecar mounted to a Honda Shadow 1100T with disk brakes and Elc. lean, I'd be more than willing to take pic's of what ever you would need and send them.
If you do want them be descriptive in what you want like (front mount attachment points bike and sidecar, disk brake mount, front, rear, top) OK?, you'll get what you ask for so ask for what you want 🙂
Ted
Thank you very much for this reply.
My problem is that the original friendship was built using a rubber type of torsion bar suspension that goes bad. California stopped supporting that model and instead made a Friendship II and so owners of the original are out of luck. Enter Jay Dauntless who decides to make a fix it kit and also allow a provision for brakes (not available originally?) His fix has some small problems with the heim joint attachments and anyway he stops making it.
Here I am with a perfect sidecar and all I need to do is modify the frame. I am not a sidecar expert, but can layout, weld, paint and generally do a lot and most of it well. No I am not a pro, but I am dedicated. Once I start then thats it it will finish as good as any mans work.
OK that said since I have never built a sidecar and since I cannot see paying over $6,000 for a fiberglass tub and a muffler pipe frame and mounting kits of a cost of $800 I decided to modify what I have and in the process do the best I can.
I asked every sidecar manufacturer that I could find for help and two replied. One of them wanted me to scrap my car and buy his for yes you guessed it $6,000. I almost gave up , but the old saying that what does not kill me makes me stronger sure applies here.
All I need is as many pictures of suspension. electric lean hookup and scanned docs as I can find. I fly model airplanes and the engines from all over the world are different. Yes they swing a prop but the timing is different or the carb is different or maybe the crankshaft makeup is different , but they all swing a prop and they all fly a airplane. What I want to do is look and evaluate so that I can modify my car so it is safe, strong and will last me till I will not need it anymore.
I am an older guy who was just crippled by a insane doctor and now cannot ride solo after 51 years of riding. I sold my hopped up Harley and bought a used Kawasaki Vulcan and a used sidecar and I am going to make them work.
Just a thought as it gets me . I cannot understand how a sidecar can sell for $6,000 as it (the value) is not there. I guess it is because so few people use them and if I offended anyone it was not my intent.
I want to thank you for any help and please send any pictures to me at clarence at marsdenc@bellsouth.net
I am curious as to why you would need all these add-ons to a light weight car?,..I too have a CF1 car that was prevously mounted to an FL/road king and is now perched akin an '02 suzuki marauder, weighing aprox 460lbs,..add wife, kid and luggage, I find no need for car brakes, all mounts I fab'd, and 10,000 mile later were still happy, Keep It Simple and enjoy,...my 2 cents, crawf.
