While pondering options for reducing trail on my Guzzi T-3 it occurred to me that my Triumph Tiger 955i might make a better tug than the old Guzzi for a number of reasons.
Problem is, the Tiger's chassis uses the engine as a "stressed member" or at least the engine hangs from the chassis, with no lower members to attach to.
I see Dauntless offers a subframe, but apparently fits it only with the bike in their shop. This isn't a practical option for me, so I might like to take a stab at building my own. I'm pretty certain I can fabricate a subframe of some kind, but rather than reinvent the wheel, if someone here has done so and can offer tips and/or photos I would very much appreciate it.
A few years back I purchased a Triumph TBird sub-frame from my friend Doug Bingham. He was the only vendor at the time that had a Triumph sub-frame for sale. Like most of his work it was a little rough but sturdy. Apparently he had some extra washers and Velorex frame clamp blocks.
After that one I built my Triumph sub-frames on the bike.
Here are some pix. Maybe they will be of some help as to mounting positions for the Tiger.
Lonnie
Northwest Sidecars
Thanks, Lonnie. But I don't see the pictures?
Try again, it took some time to upload the pix.
Lonnie
Okay, now I see them. Thanks.
This setup is pretty close to what I envisioned for the Tiger, and gives me confidence that I am on the right track. Thank you, Lonnie.
Those are some really good detailed pics. Getting lots of ideas for a project.
Thanks for sharing Lonnie.
We had a bike like yours into the shop a while back. I went ahead and made a second sub frame so I have one in stock $775. Once it is sold we will be back to only building these with the bike in the shop. Not enough demand to tool. BTW, before we were making our own sidecars we were using Ural sidecars. I have attached a photo of my own Tiger that I built.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
866-638-1793
Jay - I like the look of your Tiger/Ural rig. For now I have a standard Velorex 562 but am hoping to have a friend build me a different tub.
Thanks for the offer on that subframe. Today I spent a lot of time with my Tiger up on a lift table peering, poking and figuring, and I "think" I have the skills and savvy to fabricate a functional subframe, so I'd like to try that first. It won't be anything like the quality and appearance of something from your shop, to be sure, and I may fail at it and subsequently decide that I need the professionally built unit you have on offer. If you haven't sold it, of course.
I would also up grade the sidecars frame, it is not really all that robust.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793
Jay: First thing I did when I got the Velorex was to remove the tub and inspect the chassis carefully for structural damage. Happily, I didn't find any. I then welded in some triangulation below the seat area and shimmed up some slop in the swingarm pivot.
From what I've read, the 15mm axle is a weak point, and if I decide to stay with this chassis over time, I probably will upgrade that to something stouter. Are you aware of other weak points I should address?
I do realize that this sidecar was designed for a small, slow, lightweight bike. I bought it solely to carry my 60-lb. dog at casual velocities and hopefully will not over-stress it in that use.
Thanks again for your knowledgeable insights.
