I love motorcycles, but never tried a sidecar rig. Just got a Spirit Eagle sidecar "kit" used. It came with 4 struts for mounting and the sidecar itself. Anyone have pics of one mounted so I can get a headstart on mounting it? Maybe some clue as to what was in an original manual as far as lead or lean. Read lots on the internet about side cars but can't find much on this one. Hope "youall" can get me started in the right direction.
Here are a couple pics of an Eagle frame as my buddy was mounting it to his Vulcan.
These instructions are for a Velorex but should give you pretty goog head start.
http://www.velorexusa.com/Instruction_pdf/install_instructions.pdf
The complete Spirit Eagle mounting instruction sheets are on SCT's files page.
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/SCT/files/Spirit%20of%20America%20Instructions/
They are now here too. Thanks Bob
http://www.sidecar.com/megabbs/thread-view.asp?threadid=4295&posts=1
Originally written by bikemike12 on 3/27/2007 11:17 PM
I love motorcycles, but never tried a sidecar rig. Just got a Spirit Eagle sidecar "kit" used. It came with 4 struts for mounting and the sidecar itself. Anyone have pics of one mounted so I can get a headstart on mounting it? Maybe some clue as to what was in an original manual as far as lead or lean. Read lots on the internet about side cars but can't find much on this one. Hope "youall" can get me started in the right direction.
Mike,
What bike are you mounting it on? The Sprit Eagle is a neat sidecar that has not been maufactured for a long time. It has been copied by quite a few others over the years and there are quite a few of them around. It is , however, a light sidecar with a soft suspension and small mounts and in stock form is not suitable for heavier machines. I don't say this to discourage you but only to try and help, so please don't take it the wrong way.
I see that you are just about 100 miles from us. If we can help in anyway either by phone or if you want to visit let me know. The contact info is below.
Just wanted to thank everyone who helped me get a copy of the set up instructions. Been following them carefully. Hope to give it a go on the weekend if we don't get to much snow. Large parking lot first, just happens to be a closed factory 1/4 mile away. Can anyone recommend a good tire? 3.00X16 is the size on the car.
what bike did you mount it up to? Post some pics if you can, we love to look at other folks rigs.
I've always run the cheapest J.C Whitney chinese tire on my Spirit and I usually get two riding seasons for my $30.00. Tried a knobby once. Not a good idea if you ride mostly pavement. Wore out quick. But it looked cool when I first put it on.
Originally written by bikemike12 on 4/4/2007 12:10 AM
Just wanted to thank everyone who helped me get a copy of the set up instructions. Been following them carefully. Hope to give it a go on the weekend if we don't get to much snow. Large parking lot first, just happens to be a closed factory 1/4 mile away. Can anyone recommend a good tire? 3.00X16 is the size on the car.
we need to know what bike you are mounting it to.
If its a BMW, DONT clamp mounts onto the stock frame! it is not strong enough. the Beemer will need a subframe, as will many other bikes also for proper and safe mounting.
Mike,
I owned a Spirit Eagle sidecar mounted to a Honda CB750 for 26 years. I will tell you from experience that the design configuration of the Spirit Eagle mounts that attach to the sidecar frame are less than adequate, and the chance for the outfit to fold together is quite high. For your safety and the safety of the love ones that will be riding in the sidecar, take your motorcycle and the sidecar to Claude's and let him construct proper lower mounts. It will be well worth the investment and you will have peace of mind.
Bruce.
Well that does it, now my eagle is going to "fold-up" while riding. Better put it on e-bay. Is this a problem with the sririt eagle. Is a fix expensive. Does anyone have pics of a modified one? Next door neighbor has a welding shop and I'm not afraid to dig right in.[used to work at bike shop many years ago]
Apparently Bruce's rig didn't "fold up " on him and he had it for 26 years.
I know of the Spirit's being ran with FLH Harley's and earlier GL's and not failing. Not the best choice of hacks maybe, but they work.
The secret is in using adequate mounting methods, maybe even an added 5th strut. After that, adequate ballast and common sense driving habits will help make a fun rig. With limitations, of course.
Here's a recent mounting (not mine) on a Big Twin Harley.
"Nothing ventured, Nothing gained, Nothing learned",
Lonnie
I flogged mine for many years of abuse on my Hondasan. Used it to haul my tools from city to city on contract jobs. Worst abuse was giving a ride to my buddy's drunken 250 lb. (and then some) Ol' lady. Talk about draggin' on take off and divin' on brakin'! Filled with ice to make a make-shift beer cooler at one party. Never had a problem with those rear mounts, they stayed firm. I checked them regularly to make sure they hadn't losened. I was never real thrilled with the front lower mount when I had it extended way out for one mounting method I used but it was plenty strong when I changed the mount so that it was screwed in more. All in all I had a blast with it for nearly 100,00 miles (maybe more...) and the kids loved it.
I'm rebuilding it now for another go around another Honda, this time a VT1100T.
A fun chair at an entry level price. If you like it you can always spend more later for a bigger, better hack. Mount it strong, you won't go wrong.
Yes it did fold up on me, twice in the 26 years I had it. The first time when the lower front mount broke and second when the lower mounts slipped. After all, the connections rely on clamping force and friction to keep everything from slipping. That is why it is important to construct better lower mounts. It will not be expensive and well worth the peace of mind.
Bruce.
