I leveled and aligned my Texas Sidecars ranger on my Suzuki Burgman 650. Later, finding the steering way too heavy, I install a new triple tree to reduce the trail 5 deg. The only issue now is that this mod caused the sidecar's nose to drop just a bit, not much but noticeable. Handling is fine. The forward tilt is about 1 deg. and about an inch at the nose, still with plenty of ground clearance. This rig is only run on pavement, never dirt. I hate the idea of another alignment exercise. Am I being shortsighted in leaving it as it is?
Sidecars don't have to be exactly level to perform well. Many are nose up, some are nose down.
If it's working well, don't change it.
Lonnie
We added some preload to the fork springs by adding an extra spacer in the forks. As I recall, there is a long metal tube spacer at the top of the forks, we added maybe 3/4"--1" longer spacer made of PVC conduit (1" diameter I think). We also replaced the fork springs at the same time with a more progressive wound spring from Ikon.
Lee
MB5+TW200+CRF250L+GTV300+INT650
XL883R w/Texas Ranger Sidecar
Zuma 50F + Burgman w/Texas Sidecar<Mrs. SwampFox
One thing to keep in mind, are you looking at it with your weight on the bike? With you on it the back for the bike drops bringing the front of the sidecar up. Other wise, nose down is more a visual issue then any thing else.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793
"I leveled and aligned my Texas Sidecars ranger on my Suzuki Burgman 650. Later, finding the steering way too heavy, I install a new triple tree to reduce the trail 5 deg."
First i agree with the above professional opinions,,,just have a bit to add.
I would be so bold as to say that how a sidecar is oriented (wheel lead, track width) can significantly effect easy/hard steering. Alignment, both lean-out and toe-in can also dramatically effect steering. I feel people often just start pouring money into widgets before they have exhausted optimizing the above, very important factors. Be sure you have given the root base issues full attention,,,,first.
I am lots close enough to you to give assistance if you'd like. bob wark warkshop.com 740-538-4746
pbrown,,,,would you grace us with your opinions of our suggestions? This is not Wikapedia
