Hello all.
I'm brand new to the forum and sidecars. Have a number of years experience with bikes but zero on sidecars. Couple of months ago got a Royal Enfield GS5 Deluxe. Runs great! Several weeks ago got a Kozi Rocket attached. Scared the daylights out of me the first time I tried to ride it. Learned first hand what they mean by "you have to drive it." Played around in the back yard for ten miles or so, all slow. When I took it out on the road I got a lot of wobble/shake at about 15 MPH. Felt like a flat on the front. Took it home and tire pressure is good. Checked all mounting hardware. Everything is tight and looks okay. Question is: If the toe-in or lean is not correct will it cause anything like this. Thinking about taking the car off and checking the ride of the bike but I'm pretty sure it will be smooth. Any suggestions/ideas/comments will be greatly appeciated.
Fellow I got the car from suggests a steering damper. Since I don't expect to ever get it over 55, seems like overkill to me on this bike. Kozis were designed for the REs weren't they?
Thanks,
Mike
Get some literature first. Don't learn first hand. For example Ken Handall's books available on sidecar.com 🙂 http://www.sidecar.com/links3.asp, or David Hough's "Yellow book"
You should check your rig's geometry again. Something could loose and then change its position. In new position, such mounts can look ok again.
Also it could be mounted improperly and simple geometry check can help. AFAIK, RE/Cozy rigs work very well and don't make troubles.
More often then not we find that if your alignment is correct, you have no flex in your mounting system, your wheel lead is not to great and your front tire is in good order by just slightly over tightening the steering head bearings to put just a little drag on them that your wobble is gone. Some times going to a flat profile tire on the front can help. Avon makes a 3:50 19, there are two companies that make a 4:00 18. If all of these options fail, then a damper may be needed. We try not to add dampers as they make your bike steer harder all the time.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
866-638-1793
www.dmcsidecars.com
C64club
Very good advice. I have the "yellow book" and have been studying it. Think you are right, a geometry check is in order.
Jay G
If alignment checks okay I will try tightening the steering head "slightly". I'm a little nervous about the idea but I do not want a steering damper.
Thanks for the feedback and encouragement.
Mike
