I've got the 1980 Yamaha SR500 rigged up the 1070 Bingham MKI. Looks and rolls great.
As some may know, the SR500 came with cast mag wheels. I am thinking about switching to spoked rims for a more vintage look (the SR500's overseas came with OEM spoked wheels).
The sidecar wheel is a steel trailer wheel that runs a 12-inch tire. I want to replace it with a custom spoked wheel. What do you think? Would there be any disadvantages to running a 10-inch tire on the sidecar instead?
Also, thinking about the switching the back wheel on the bike from an 18-inch to a 19-inch to match the front wheel/tire. Any comments?
Thanks in advance.
The cast wheels will hold up better under sidecar usage. The sideloading inherent with sidecar rigs can and does loosen and stretch wire spokes that are not designed for that usage. Sidecar wheel spokes are usually made of thicker stock to withstand these pressures, as are sidecar and automotive tires since they do not bank in the turns.
A 10" wheel may offer a choppier ride on the sidecar.
If the bike has a chain final drive any loss of torque due the the change to a larger diameter 19" wheel can be easy adjusted by changing a sprocket. If not the clutch may suffer a bit.
Lonnie
Northwest Sidecars
I'll be using custom-made heavy duty spokes (as thick as I can get) from Buchannan's Spoke and Rim. Buchannan's will also be making up the wheel for the sidecar. So that should help. Thanks for the advice; I'll be sure to keep an eye on them.
Plus, I don't "ride the wheels off" of it now. It's mainly for putting around the 'hood with the kids and a few rallies/shows. And the occasional leisurely ride in the mountains.
>And the occasional leisurely ride in the mountains.
That may mean a lot of stress for the bike....at least with me as driver
(view the album as reference / last years new year trip I came back with 3 torn off threads in the special S/C spokes)
Shouldn't be that bad with a calm rider and with the strong spokes. Its just more looking after the spokes; check tension (sound check), retighten and sometimes run the dial indicator for to check for run out. And you cannot continue with tubeless tires.
At hard driveing you will feel in your guts that the spoked wheels are softer.
Regards
Sven Peter
as nice as the spokes would look,..I think the staying with the cast wheels would be wiser.....having a sidecar,...for solo... change away.. my 2 cents, crawf.
