I have installed a Chiang Jiang onto a Honda Shadow 1100cc 1992 model and am very happy with the results ater riding it for 3000 kms with the exception that when under load in each gear above 1st (bike has 4 gears) I get a lot of cluttering noise and vibration which I know wasnt there when I road the bike solo.
It feels and sounds like the engine mounts are loose or that the transmission is a problem .I have tightened up the engine mounts,greased the final spline on rear wheel and the universal joint is ok.
The engine has been totally reconditioned by a very reliable mechanic who is aware of the problem but cant put his finger on it
It is very annoying and I have to drive the rig by (in my opinion) taking each gear beyond its natural change point to avoid the shudder and noise.It really sounds and feels like something is really loose that only appears under load.
If anyone can help I would sure appreciate it as it is just not right and I cant seem to be able to pinpoint the problem
Geoff Allen
Possibly have someone ride in the sidecar to see if they can pinpoint the location of the noise. No easy answers here.
I would also expand my search from the engine/trasnsmission to any bearings that may be worn in the rear wheel/drive area or sidecar wheel and maybe a cracked or overstressed frame member that under high torque load allows a mis alignment in the drive train.
I'm thinking these areas because I assume the problem wasn't present without the sidecar, and your mechanic has checked the most logical cause in the motor/transmission.
Good luck, this sounds like a tough one to track down.
Are you lugging the engine?
Will maintianing a lower gear and riding at higher engine speeds eliminate the shudder? You need to slip the clutch more to get started with a sidecar, and you need more rpm.
This is particularly noticeable with bikes geared for highway use, or with marginal power for the added weight and drag. I wouldn't think it would be a problem for an 1100 Shadow...
If that is not the problem, have you checked the wheels for excess drag? Do you have a dragging brake?
Check your sidecar mounts while you are at it.
Good Luck!
Thanks Claude I appreciate any input
I do have a crook earing on the sidecar which is being replaced and I am checking all frame and engine mountings again.
Thanks very much for your help
No I am not doing what you said but I am overextending each gear which isnt necessary under normal circumstances.
No brakes are binding
I know its a problem because I drove a ural for 6000 miles and there was no evidence of this problem.
I am in 5 mins going to my mechanic and we are going to check everything witha "fine tooth comb"
I appreciate your input
As you can see by my user name I have a Shadow also, you say that it didn't do before you put the sidecar on but now it does, well you just added 350+ lbs to it and most likely your shifting like you did before, you can't do that, I have to really keep an ear on the sound because it's very easy to lug it down, IMHO your going to have to develop a new shift pattern, if you can gear it down (you didn't say which model you have)do so otherwise get some RPMs before you shift. one other thing you can try is to take the sidecar loose and go for a ride but I think you'll find that your just shifting too soon.
Ted
