I am new to sidecars and am asking a few questions in order to get more familiar and understanding of sidecars and maintenance:
Assuming that the sidecar is mounted correctly and aligned properly with the bike and driven conventionally on paved roads.......
a....Which mounting section receives the most stress during normal driving operations---the front upper, the front lower, the rear upper or the rear lower?
b....How often should the mounting hardware be checked and tightened?
c....What and which should be checked most often?
d....What effects happen when the wheel lead is reduced---more or less steering wobble?
e....Conversely, what effects happen when the wheel lead is increased---more or less steering wobble?
Many thanks for any and all advice.
Jay.
a- The lower mounts support the weight of the sidecar. That is why they are usually sturdier. The upper struts control lean-out of the bike and triangulate the mountings for a more rigid outfit.
b- Mounts should be checked for looseness each time you are going to take the rig out. Also check for underinflated tires.
c- All mounts should be checked for tightness. You don't have to torque them. Like a semi driver taps his tires with a hammer to check for a flat, you can check them visually or tap them to see if they rattle.
d- Reduced wheel lead will make steering easier at low speeds and in tight turns. Also less tire scrubbing and subsequent wear will occur.
e- Increased lead will make the rig more stable at high speeds and in hard left turns (US R/H mounting). Will make the rig harder to turn at slow speeds and will cause more tire scrubbing in turns and shorter tread life.
Lonnie
For item B, I marked my mounting bolts & nuts with a dab of white paint. Then all it takes is a quick glance to see if they moved. I learned this from Vernon when taking the sidecar course at Adventure Sidecar in Oregon. Highly recommended.
