Hey everybody. Just joined the site today, actually found it while looking for a used sidecar.
I have an 05 Road Glide, that I would love to have a sidecar for. I have twin 3 year old boys that would be in Heaven.
I ride the bike a lot, got around 60k on it and I was down for a year with a bad shoulder, so that is really 2 years worth of miles. So I would need to set up something so that the sidecar could go on and off pretty quickly and easily. Is that really possible? (I did some searching here but didn't really find a for sure answer).
What else do I need to consider? The bike is lowered, will that make any difference?
With a bad shoulder you wouldn't want to be dismounting a sidecar often if ever.
Which ever car you decide on:
Your best option would be to mount a sidecar, install raked triple trees for easy steering and forget about taking it off and putting it back on.
An Electra Glide with a sidecar and without reduced trail steering is quite a handful for a person with two good shoulders. Reduced trail (raked trees) makes the rig handle like power steering but it is not recommended for use with the sidecar unattached as the steering will then be to quick and could cause a loss of control.
Check with Pete Larsen at Liberty Sidecars in Seattle. Ph. (206)-568-6030
Lonnie
Northwest Sidecars
I think Lonnie omitted one key word "Reduced trail (raked trees) makes the rig handle like power steering but it is not recommended for use with OUT the sidecar attached as the steering will then be to quick and could cause a loss of control."
I left off the un from unattached. All better now.
Us old farts have to depend on outside proofreaders once in a while. lol
Lonnie
Hi OC,
Kids and sidecars seem to go together! My granddaughters and some other young ones for whom I babysit love rides in the chair.
I guess if you have the room for a dedicated sidecar space, you could rig up an overhead system like an engine hoist or something to make mounting and dismounting the sidecar easier, but it's true: once on, it's easiest to leave it on. (Maybe another bike for a solo?) My sidecar is hardwired to the bike, literally....and the battery is mounted behind the seat of the chair.
Whatever you work out, I'm certain you'll enjoy the sidecar; touring, shopping, and taking joy-rides with the children---it's all good!
I'm in the process of joing up my 2007 FLHTCU to the 2000 HD sidecar I purchased 3 weeks ago. Finally have all the parts (I think) and with some technical assistance we're on our way. Kids and sidecars certainly do seem to go together as my grand kids can't wait. I intend to take it real slow once attached and rolling. I'm going to explore those right turns very carefully.
Can one of you smart guys tell me where I can find what you are calling "raked triple trees". I am going to purchase a dual sport bike for solo use and only intend to ride the HD with the sidecar. I just really don't want to end up where so many others have, that is frustrated with the performance and the right turns and abandon the car.
Hey North Pole. As far as finding raked trees, go to your local independent shop. They can find you a nice set for a decent price. I probably have some laying around here, but finding them would take an act of congress hehe.
Peter Smith at Side Effects will do them for you.
His shop is in Kamloops, BC. URL is: www.sidecars.ca
Ph.(250) 573-2364 fax (250) 573-2365.
Pete Larsen at Liberty Sidecars in Seattle also has them.
Lonnie
Northwest Sidecars
It seems that the fix that Side Effects have doesn't work with a Harley Davidson dresser because of the pinch bolts. They recommend an EZ Steer by Champion. In reading about that it seems to be simply a 5 degree rake triple tree. Their cost is over $1000 plus shipping. I've seen numerous triple trees on EBAY and other places with similar rakes for just a couple hundred dollars. Is there a difference between them? Will simply moving the front wheel out another couple of inches make that big a difference? I'll attach a picture once we're done with the rig.
You got it wrong , Bob,
moving the front wheel IN, back, towards the bike makes the difference in easier steering.
forks go straighter down.
Movimg the axle FORWARD reduces trail. See attached photo to see how trail is measured.Less trail equals easier steering.
Okay, so I missed the point there. Again my question, does moving the front wheel that small amount make that much difference in the steering? Is a 5 degree raked triple tree basically the same as the Champion EZ steer?
Peter Smith alters the stock triple trees so the bass ackward late Harley FLH-FLHT trees may not be easily modified. Pete Larsen's trees are a design product, not an altered one. My Electra Glides have had the 5% Liberty trees installed and they work great.
I highly recommend the Liberty Sidecars product for sidecar usage.
Lonnie
Northwest Sidecars
Originally written by claude #3563 on 6/24/2008 2:04 PM
Movimg the axle FORWARD reduces trail. See attached photo to see how trail is measured.Less trail equals easier steering.
OOPS! my mistake! sorry!
Thanks, Bob.
It's good to know that someone else here can make a miskate besides me.
lol
Cheers,
Lonnie
