I have an ‘05 HD Ultra Classic and just purchased a ‘98 HD sidecar to mount on it. The problem that I’m being told now that I’ve bought the car is that there have been some changes to the bike frame and it could cost me up to $1,500. to get them mounted.
Can anyone shed some light on this for me? I would really like to do this ASAP and be ready to ride when the snow is gone. I have all of the mounting hardware that the last owner took off of his classic but he has moved to CO so I can’t ask him about this.
ANY help would be appreciated.
Mike
I just had a '08 sidecar mounted to my '98 Electra Glide Standard. The dealer did the installation so I don't know the details but the frame is different. My understanding is that there is a different set of mounting brackets that you will need to get from Harley. $1,500 sounds kinda high. My dealer charged about $7-800 for the complete installation.
Originally written by Mike Bell on 3/20/2009 10:02 AM
I have an ‘05 HD Ultra Classic and just purchased a ‘98 HD sidecar to mount on it. The problem that I’m being told now that I’ve bought the car is that there have been some changes to the bike frame and it could cost me up to $1,500. to get them mounted.
Can anyone shed some light on this for me? I would really like to do this ASAP and be ready to ride when the snow is gone. I have all of the mounting hardware that the last owner took off of his classic but he has moved to CO so I can’t ask him about this.
ANY help would be appreciated.
Mike
Hi,
You didn't say whether the mounts you have (lower rear, lower front and upper front) are from the 1998 sidecar. If they are, it's likely that the lower rear is a three-bolt pattern. Your 2005 bike has a two-bolt lower rear mount pattern. The upper front and lower front should work since they will take the Heim joints (rotating ball with a hole in it).
They changed the lower rear frame design in 2002 or 2003 (?) to take only two bolts. You would need the later lower rear mount (2002/3 up to 2007). I'm almost certain that they changed the mounts again when they went to that 96 cu in motor but your lower front and upper front should be OK.
You need to purchase the sidecar book from HD. P/N 99485-05 for your bike. It will tell you what else is needed. There may be an issue with the cables. You also didn't tell us whether your sidecar is an Ultra or a standard TLE. The Ultra cables are different in large measure from the TLE.
The good news is that they changed the frame totally again for 2009. LOL.
If you install the sidecar yourself, you'll save lots of money. I bought mine in the crate but I've done lots of such installations in the last 25 years for myself and friends. It's really not difficult if you have the correct parts.
I have a 2004 Ultra with a 2005 pattrern TLS sidecar that I bought new in 2007 so go figure.
Hope this isnt confusing. I'm thinking all you will need is the lower rear mount.
you also will need the odd brake pedal, the 90 fitting to move the oil sender, the brake reservoir assembly and the brake tee. dont skimp - i saw a car on bike without all the proper parts last fall and only had half the lower front mount - the owner said that was the only way it would fit - i showed him a proper set up and then i think he got the idea - brakes and mounts are safety items do it properly.
wiring may or may not need a plug changed
get the hd sidecar manual - the year needs to be the newer of the units so you need a 05 manual.
oh.. and im nearly certain that you need the rollover switch so the engine wont shut down on a corner thinking the bike tipped over.
its VERY common for folks to get a used hd sidecar and not get the 700 to 1500 box of parts that come with the sidecar but are permanently mounted on the bike. its a bummer but its true.
to
Originally written by timo482 on 3/20/2009 7:13 PM
you also will need the odd brake pedal, the 90 fitting to move the oil sender, the brake reservoir assembly and the brake tee. dont skimp - i saw a car on bike without all the proper parts last fall and only had half the lower front mount - the owner said that was the only way it would fit - i showed him a proper set up and then i think he got the idea - brakes and mounts are safety items do it properly.
wiring may or may not need a plug changed
get the hd sidecar manual - the year needs to be the newer of the units so you need a 05 manual.
oh.. and im nearly certain that you need the rollover switch so the engine wont shut down on a corner thinking the bike tipped over.
its VERY common for folks to get a used hd sidecar and not get the 700 to 1500 box of parts that come with the sidecar but are permanently mounted on the bike. its a bummer but its true.
to
Quite right. There is more than only the mounts. That's why I suggested that he purchase the book. Of course, the remote master cylinder and cover are needed. Also the pre-2002 brake to clear the front frame tube. The brake tee, etc. etc. etc. I didn't want to scare him.....LOL.
I did my installation very slowly and carefully since I was really enjoying it. It took me about 15 hours over a week. The dealer bid ten hours ($9000 cash @90.00/hr., just for the installation)
Happy Trails.
Thanks for the info guys. I have been given a lot of different info from people who knew people who used to have side cars, so I thought that I had better come to a source who should know what is going on.
I’ll get the book ordered first thing in the morning and see if it might just be possible for me to mount it myself. I’m kinda handy with a wrench or two since My dad, brother and I have built a couple of homebuilt aircraft over the past few years. I should be able to figure our whether or not tab “a” will fit into slot “f” and so on…..
Thanks again. It’s always nice to know that there are people out there who have “done there, been that” and can give some real advice. I’ll post an update when I get it together.
I just bought a '98 Ultra sidecar from a guy that had it on a '05 Ultra. I put it on a '08 Ultra. The issues I had are:
1. Brake lever is too long, need a '97 to '02 brake lever
2. Needed a HD sidecar service manual P.N. 99485-98, Sidecars: 1990 to 1998. There is no book for applying a sidecar to your specific ride.
3. Needed a brake tee. I got one at NAPA. Unscrew the brake light switch, screw in the tee, screw in the brake light switch, screw in the sidecar brake line.
4. It will steer like a bulldozer. you will want to get a 4 or 5 degree rake triple tree. I have a Dauntless 5 degree. They don't really make them, Champion Sidecar makes them for Dauntless. You can get installation instructions from the Champion website.
The sidecar service manual will tell you how to install it, how to align it, and how to remove it.
I want to make mine easy to remove and re-install so here's what I'm doing:
1. Put Deutsch connectors between the bike and the sidecar. I will not have to remove the seat and change the cable harnesses. I have them tie-wrapped in place kind of neat and don't want to re-do it every time.
2. I ordered a Aeroquip brake line quick disconnect that will allow the brake line to be removed without getting air in the lines or dripping brake fluid. The Aeroquip disconnect is about $150. There is another from France that costs well over $300. I went for the old American stuff.
I hope my bloody experience can be useful to you. good luck.
Jim
Originally written by jimfa440 on 3/28/2009 4:46 PM
I just bought a '98 Ultra sidecar from a guy that had it on a '05 Ultra. I put it on a '08 Ultra. The issues I had are:
1. Brake lever is too long, need a '97 to '02 brake lever
2. Needed a HD sidecar service manual P.N. 99485-98, Sidecars: 1990 to 1998. There is no book for applying a sidecar to your specific ride.
3. Needed a brake tee. I got one at NAPA. Unscrew the brake light switch, screw in the tee, screw in the brake light switch, screw in the sidecar brake line.
4. It will steer like a bulldozer. you will want to get a 4 or 5 degree rake triple tree. I have a Dauntless 5 degree. They don't really make them, Champion Sidecar makes them for Dauntless. You can get installation instructions from the Champion website.
The sidecar service manual will tell you how to install it, how to align it, and how to remove it.
I want to make mine easy to remove and re-install so here's what I'm doing:
1. Put Deutsch connectors between the bike and the sidecar. I will not have to remove the seat and change the cable harnesses. I have them tie-wrapped in place kind of neat and don't want to re-do it every time.
2. I ordered a Aeroquip brake line quick disconnect that will allow the brake line to be removed without getting air in the lines or dripping brake fluid. The Aeroquip disconnect is about $150. There is another from France that costs well over $300. I went for the old American stuff.
I hope my bloody experience can be useful to you. good luck.
Jim
If you have the same year sidecar and bike, you will find all you need to know in the 99485-XX for that year, but for mismatched years too far apart, it's problematical as you say.
As to the steering, of course it wold be better with the raked trees if you never intend to remove the hack. My 2004 Ultra with 2007 sidecar is just fine as far as steering goes. I can't afford to have a dedicated rig. there will be times that I want to ride solo and with fixed sidecar trees, it is a problem.
s far as the brake disconnect, I merely added a 12" extension tube which bent to bring the 3/16" brake connector joint up above the passenger footrest. When I remove the sidecar, one small push on the brake and then I cap it and the bike is good to go.
When reconnecting, I bleed the sidecar brake with a Mity-Vac. It takes about five minutes and you're good to go. $150 to $500 for a quick disconnect?.....phew, you've got more money than I do. LOL
Happy Trails.
