I have read,been told,and understandably accepted the preaching that a sidecar should "NEVER EVER" be mounted to a crash bar.
I assumed that a practice such as this would be seen on a back-yard put together rig,not an intended regular practice from a reputible sidecar manufacturer.
But as I am strugling,looking for mounting options for my 83 gl1100 interstate(full dress) I have been looking at several other goldwings with hacks whenever I see one for ideas.
What has me confused is the "CALIFORNIA SIDECAR" friendship ones that I see with the rear upper mount attached to the rear crash bar in front of the saddle bag on the gl1200s.
Is this some kinda exception to the cardinal rule?I would have thought "CALIFORNIA SIDECAR"would know better.
There is a lot of force on a sidecar rig. Mainly the mounts. I'm trying to figure out the rear mounts right now. What a pain. Don't mount it to the crashbars.
The engine and saddlebag guards are decorative only and most have warnings that say they may help protect the cases or bags from excessive damage in a tipover (stationary bike falling over). They are NOT crash bars and are not designed to be structural members. The attaching hardware isn't of high tensile quality either.
California Sidecar also used some pretty undersized mountings bits before 1989. The marble sized balls with extruded collet(flowers)and a 5/16" NF bolt were two examples of poor engineering. From 1989 on their lower heim joint mounts and coil over shock suspension have greatly improved the safety.
Here are three shots of '83 GL upper rear mount positions.
Lonnie
I just finished installing a Motorvation Formula II on my 82 Aspencade. I was able to attach the upper rear just below the point on the frame that accepts the sidecover pin. I had to modify a spare cover to finish the project. I looked at the rear crash bar and kept in mind that to mount the sidecar stout is the best way. The crash bar however appears to be very solid on the 1100's; I just did not want to take the chance. I will build an album titled 1982 Aspencade/formula II
Dave
Thank-you both for the mounting advice.I keep looking at the bike imagining a higher mounting point.I am now refocused.
I did not like seeing the crash guard mounts on the CSCs, I kinda new better,but was little shocked to see it on a big name hack.
The PICs helped alot,thanks lonnie
As mentioned above, mounting on a crash bar is a really bad idea. You should always connect to the frame or subframe.
