I have put together and adjusted 6 rigs over the years, my first was a 1947 Harley big twin (relatively easy) and 5 Dnepr rigs. The BMW style four point mounting system is great, easy to work with and adjust. I just spent four hours trying to hook up a Harley sidecar to my 1998 FLHP. It was a nightmare! My biggest problem is the lower front mount. There isn't anything that 'locates' it like on my old Harley. The problem is that when I get the front lower sidecar swivel mount onto the lower frame clamp, the front top mounting arm (the big curved one) doesn't line up with the frame mount. When I adjust things to make them meet, then the front lower mount is too low on the frame, or is too close to the engine (It is rubber mounted and will move). I am at wits end. Any tips will be greatly appreciated. Just call me 'frustrated in the driveway'.
The manual shows that the lower mount should have about 1-16" clearance from the regulator. If you use this as a starting point, the upper mount should line up.
There is a diagram in the manual that should clear this up for you. I've got mine set to that clearance and the engine doesn't hit the mount. The manual is available from the dealer or sometimes on eBay. The P/N is 99485-XX (whatever year). I think they are up to 99485-07. They are all similar.
Success at last. I started fresh today, and worked from the front back, and it is on and drives very nicely. No shimmy even without the steering damper, but I installed it anyway. It is a lot easier to lift the chair on this rig than on my BMW /2 rig. Off for another 'test ride'. I am taking it slow for now. Hal
Originally written by MBHal on 7/12/2008 2:06 PM
Success at last. I started fresh today, and worked from the front back, and it is on and drives very nicely. No shimmy even without the steering damper, but I installed it anyway. It is a lot easier to lift the chair on this rig than on my BMW /2 rig. Off for another 'test ride'. I am taking it slow for now. Hal
When you do your chair lifting, make sure it isn't on a downhill off-camber right turn on a two-lane mountain road at 85 mph.
That turn wouldn't be the one down the road from the bar, with the decreasing radius and the anti-freeze patch would it? 😉 I am glad I did a lot of reading in 'the yellow sidecar book' years ago before I drove my flathead Dnepr rig..... and then I only drove it in the hay meadow for a good while till I got used to it. After spending some time with the HD rig today, I have a number of thoughts. It sure goes up hills a lot better than the Dnepr, and it stops a lot better. It feels 'safer' at speeds over 45mph. maybe the Dnepr always felt unsecure at 50+ because I was worried about it blowing up. I think the HD steering effort required is heavier than the Dnepr, but I will have to do a long ride to see if it is an issue. I still like the BMW 4-point mounting system better (It just seems 'right' to have four mounts), and I think the BMW rig feels stiffer/sturdier on rough roads. It actually didn't take too long to get the Harley sidecar installed and dialed in today. As a note, I got to see four antique American sidecars today (teens to twenties) and they were all three point mounts. Maybe they needed to be slightly 'flexible' so they could give a little on our early rough roads?
I'm happy to say that the rig goes quite straight, doesn't seem to wander, and has had no head-shake. The crown in the road varies a lot around here, and I am driving with no passenger. When I do, should I expect much change in the way it tracks? Well, time to sleep. It's been an exciting day! Thanks for the knowledge that has been supplied here, it's been a big technical and motivational help! Hal in CT.
The passenger won't affect things very much. A high crowned road will be noticeable on a bike without an enectric lean device. It will want to pull off to the right somewhat. Some pressure on the bars will counteract this, though. I live in a rural area with lots of crowned roads and I don't really notice it much anymore.
As to a four point mounting setup, I'm just as pleased with three. The Harley frame and mounts are very strong. Adding the fourth point would probably require some welding and that's not something I would do on a bike frame.
Hal,
Since the Harley car has a rigid chassis with no swing-arm or spring to take up raod shock the three point suspension system allows for some flex to ease the ride somewhat.
The solid axle is also the reason there isn't much difference in attitude when a passenger is added.
The Dnepr no doubt has less trail than your late model Harley which was not designed with a sidecar in mind so an adjustable trail front end is no longer an option as it was prior to the Evolution models. That is why the Dnepr rig steered easier.
There are some vendors here who can supply raked triple trees to ease the steering of your rig. They work just like power steering.
I highly recommend this fix if you are considering this setup as a dedicated sidecar outfit. If not, leave the trail where it is.
Enjoy the ride,
Lonnie
Northwest Sidecars
