Hello, I was hoping to get some advice. I read through Hal Kendall’s Sidecar Manual and decided to make my sidecar brackets. I followed this paragraph from Section 2.4, “Space mounting points as far apart as possible. Place one just below the steering head, another on the front down tube and as low as possible. Put the third below the saddle and as far back as the frame is solid. Locate the fourth below the gearbox on the main frame.” I am mounting a Champion Escort to a 2004 Yamaha Venture.
Now that I am near completion, I am concerned that I only have 19” between my lower mounts. The upper mounts will be plenty spread out.
The front subframe is mounted to both driver foot boards with M10 screws and 1” tubing connecting them. this is the front most part of the frame. The rear mount is at the furthest point back on the main frame before the frame starts to run vertical. The rear mount is attached to the frame tube and cross tube with U-bolts.
I believe I am mounted to the strongest part of the motorcycle, but do you guys think I should try and space them out farther?
Thanks for any time and advice you are willing to share.
New to sidecars so can't offer advice. Can tell you my bottom mounts are 19", upper mounts 39". Hope this helps some. Good luck.
As the sub frames you designed are very stout and attach well to the main frame of the bike they should work well for you. Our production mounts the lower rear is a bit further back. The lower front a bit further forward but not enough in the real world where you woudl be able to tell much difference.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793
jay@dmcsidecars.com
Thanks for the responses. I went ahead and finished welding the mounts I made and temporarily installed the sidecar. I still need to wire the lights and design a way to mount the stabilizer shock.
I took two rides through my neighborhood and the first ride was ok, but I had a lot of wobble in the handlebars. I noticed the bearings on the sidecar were loose, so I tightened them (I will replace them later). The second ride the wobble was almost gone, still no stabilizer.
This is my first installation, so I have another question about my mount placement. The rear lower mount arm extends 9” forward to join the mount I made on MC. I took the rig to an empty parking lot and went pretty fast but I swerved violently left and right (on purpose). I was watching the mounts and the lower rear mount arm does have some flex, very little but there is some. Is this in any way normal or are my mounts a poor design?
Thanks for any help you are willing to give, this site has been very helpful.
Your mounting positions look pretty normal for this sidecar and bike combo. There may be some slight flexing but as long as no slippage occurs you're OK.
Lonnie
Thank you Lonnie, I was hoping you would respond. I have learned a great deal reading your answers to everyone’s questions. I appreciate you taking the time to help those of us that are new to sidecars.
