I bought a California sidecar about a month ago and wanted to attache it to my R75/6. Well I finally got it attached as a flex sidecar and took it out for a ride. Boy, I don't even know I have it attached. The bike handles just like it wasn't there. The design also steers the S/C wheel in the direction of the bank. Now I have a real handling bike with with a sidecar. Here are some pictures before I put the cab on it.
Garry
Very nice!
Yes, that's how leaner rigs handle. Just like a motorcycle.
I wonder if you have enough lean angle to the right when the tub is mounted.
Mine is okay except really tight turns but definately less than the left side.
Want to see the pics with the tub.
skiri251 - 11/17/2009 2:06 PM
Very nice!
Yes, that's how leaner rigs handle. Just like a motorcycle.
I wonder if you have enough lean angle to the right when the tub is mounted.
Mine is okay except really tight turns but definately less than the left side.Want to see the pics with the tub.
I get about 22 degrees right and unlimited left with the saddle bag on.
Garry
garry_kramer - 11/17/2009 5:25 PM
I get about 22 degrees right and unlimited left with the saddle bag on.
Garry
22 degrees might give you oops moments in really tight right hand turn. I get that from time to time. But you can usually slow down at that moment without wandering into the left lane.
BTW, intereting way of utilizing boxer cylinder heads!
I have never measured my rig's lean angle.
The 4x4 is actually under the foot peg. It just looks like it is under the head.
Here is a rear view of my homemade leaner sidecar. With the bags on I can lean 22.5 degrees to the right. I have since removed the bags and now have great lean angle both left & right. I had it up to 70mph and had no problem with it.
Garry
Nice video.
I measured mine. It's about 30 degrees. I still get oops moments in tight right turns if I get carried away (need to slow down more).
The rig is as wide as a car already so I am hesitant to increase the track width.
Here's mine (onboard).
Wow. What a project. Great pictures and REALLY great video. Kudos to you.
The lean angle to the right with the tub in place and the bags looks really restricted - good thing you've taken them off.
I'm struck by how simple and uncluttered the linkage between the sidecar and bike look compared to a conventional hack.
I notice that the pivots carry all of the mounting forces between the bike and sidecar. That's only 2 bolts mounted in single shear.
Do they seem to be holding up OK? With a loaded sidecar on it, over bumps etc? I'd keep an eye on them and periodically pull them and check for stretching, bending, wear and mechanical integrity till I had some miles on the rig.
punkozuna - 11/22/2009 8:29 AM
I notice that the pivots carry all of the mounting forces between the bike and sidecar. That's only 2 bolts mounted in single shear.
Do they seem to be holding up OK? With a loaded sidecar on it, over bumps etc? I'd keep an eye on them and periodically pull them and check for stretching, bending, wear and mechanical integrity till I had some miles on the rig.
Mine uses 5/8" Grade 8 bolts and CrMo heim joints.
So far I put around 6000 miles on them which includes some freeway, twisties, fully loaded camping trips. (My passenger is a 30 lbs child however.)
They still "look" okay.
punkozuna - 11/22/2009 12:29 PM
Wow. What a project. Great pictures and REALLY great video. Kudos to you.
The lean angle to the right with the tub in place and the bags looks really restricted - good thing you've taken them off.
I'm struck by how simple and uncluttered the linkage between the sidecar and bike look compared to a conventional hack.
I notice that the pivots carry all of the mounting forces between the bike and sidecar. That's only 2 bolts mounted in single shear.
Do they seem to be holding up OK? With a loaded sidecar on it, over bumps etc? I'd keep an eye on them and periodically pull them and check for stretching, bending, wear and mechanical integrity till I had some miles on the rig.
The 5/8" swivel eyes have a rated capacity of about 9000 lbs each. The main mount is 3/16" plate bolted on each side of the engine mount frame. The struts are 1-1/2" DOM tubing with .250" wall. The attachment tube is 1-3/4" DOM with .125 wall. All attachments are grade 8 bolts. The swivel eyes are 5/8". The main tube is 1-1/2"x.25wall DOM with 2 - 2"x1/4" angle iron mounts welded on. The swivel eye attachment front is 3/8"x2" CRS with gusset and re-enforcement at the eye bolt and the back is 1-1/2" dia CRS press fit into the DOM and welded. The 4 grade 8 bolts holding the angle on, each have a breaking strength of 24,000 lbs. (96,000 lbs total) The engine mount bolts from BMW are high strength also.
Garry
skiri251 - 11/22/2009 12:27 PM
Nice video.
I measured mine. It's about 30 degrees. I still get oops moments in tight right turns if I get carried away (need to slow down more).
The rig is as wide as a car already so I am hesitant to increase the track width.Here's mine (onboard).
You don't have any cylinder heads that stick out. Looks like my S/C is further away from the bike. I think I have about 48" wheel to wheel tracking.
Here is a front view
Garry
garry_kramer - 11/22/2009 12:52 PM
You don't have any cylinder heads that stick out. Looks like my S/C is further away from the bike. I think I have about 48" wheel to wheel tracking.
I think I setup the track width to be 51". I doubt 3" makes a huge difference in lean angle though.
Mine got a windshield and canopy so my upper body hits them also.
Very cool videos guys. How's a leaner rig handle vis-a-vis a conventional sidecar rig? Does it still veer left and right on acceleration/deceleration? Is it any easier to steer? Any special "excitement" when you run out of lean angle?
