I have seen a good looking subframe for the KLR on the net. The tubing appears to be about 1 1/4" diameter and 1/8" thick. For my light sidecar I think that would be overkill and would add substantial weight to the bike. I am unsure how thin I could go before compromising strength ? How thick are motorcycle frames ?
I have seen a good looking subframe for the KLR on the net. The tubing appears to be about 1 1/4" diameter and 1/8" thick. For my light sidecar I think that would be overkill and would add substantial weight to the bike. I am unsure how thin I could go before compromising strength ? How thick are motorcycle frames ?
Ross Hunt, the guy building KLR subframes at this moment is Chuck Loftin, in Eugene, Oregon, and goes by the user name @54vintage. He is truly a craftsman with serious skills. He would be the man to explain tubing thickness, wall thickness, whether DOM or other tubing.
Oh...WELCOME to the Sidecar forums.
Two Million Mile Rider...All 7 Continents
Exploring the World in Comfort
Ross, If you would like to talk about subframes and hacks feel free to call me at 541-505-4418. I live in Eugene Oregon and I'm the Oregon Rep for USCA
And as you see, FlyingMonkeys will give you a little ribbing no matter what you write. Welcome to the forum
Chuck
I am Ross Hunt, a new member from Comox Valley, near Cumberland on Vancouver Island BC, Canada. I have had about 60 different motorcycles. I started with a minibike that I made in grade 8 metal work shop in 1968. The teacher was great he let me in the shop after school to oxy/acetylene weld the frame. I have always loved cycling. I started when I was 6 years old. I have switched between motorcycles and bicycles. Now that I am older I gave up the electric bicycles as we need more exercise as we get older. I ride bicycles most of the time but I love long rides on motorcycles. I have ridden across Canada a few times; once on a Honda Jade 250 4. It was a blast going across the prairies at 16,000rpm.
My wife, Judy, uses a wheelchair because of polio that she got at 4 years old in India. When I got back from Newfoundland on the Jade, I wanted to keep going; down to Mexico. Judy said "You can't keep leaving me here alone." I said "Then let's get a sidecar"; so we did. I went to Idaho and rode back an1985 EML BMWr100. We did a few epic journeys in BC but after a few years we did not ride it much. I sold it so I could afford a nicer hiway sport touring bike. We have missed it. After a few years I thought she could ride on the back of a Goldwing. I bought one but it was a boondogle. When she sat on it she said "No way !". I understood , she felt vulnerable, not having use of her legs. I suggested we get another side car. We both got excited about that Idea. We don't have enough for another good sidecar, they are at least 10,000 around here, more likely 20,000. I found one on Facebook for 1000: a 1978 XS 1100 with a Velorex side car. It was rusty, taken apart and had sat for years. I restored the motorcycle, derusted with citric acid and only needed a brake dust boot. I went up to Jacks motorcycle shop and salvage yard to get the boot. In the back he had the same bike attached to a Vetter Terraplane. Wow what a coincidence ! The Velorex is really too light for the heavy XS1100. I got the Terraplane and reconditioned it. It had also sat for many years. Its going to be good rig, but its ugly and Judy likes the Velorex better. Maybe in the summer when we try the Terraplane she will like it. It will be good on the hiway. In the mean time I got a KLR650 for the Velorex, as Judy said she would also like to go on the dirt roads. Hence my enquiry about the subframe.
Ross, nice talking with you!
Welcome, Ross! Our sidecar story has some similarities in that my wife had a "minor" stroke in 2018 and has right leg/arm weakness. Getting onto a motorcycle seat is problematic. Add to that type 1 diabetes, if she were to have a low blood sugar incident, I would have to kick her in the head to get off the bike to render assistance.
We are currently having the Champion Escort/Goldwing rig fitted with a convertible top and plan to be out on the road this summer, prior to my left knee being worked on.
Never give up!
Illegitemi non carborundum est!
We are currently having the Champion Escort/Goldwing rig
Two things....
Ross, the Vetter Terraplane may be very difficult for Judy to get into, simply because of the side that the clam shell opens on. As you already know, that Terraplane is hinged on the right side, so the clam shell canopy opens on the side closest to the bike, which could make it difficult for Judy to shimmy between the bike and sidecar to enter the sidecar.
And.....Thane.....if you don't already know what model of sidecar you own, it pains me to have to remind you.
Your Sidecar is a Champion Daytona 2+2 sidecar......NOT a Champion Escort.
Two Million Mile Rider...All 7 Continents
Exploring the World in Comfort
DOH! I haven't seen it for four months since it's been at the canopy shop. I have an agreement with him that it will be completed before the end of April so that it can be entered into the Kearney Bike show.
I suppose I can't blame T5 syndrome...
Illegitemi non carborundum est!
@54vintage and it was nice talking with you too. Thankyou very much for offering to make me a kit that I can weld up myself.
@miles-ladue I removed lid and riveted the hinge onto the other side. We think Judy will like the KLR Velorex rig better as she can be an active participant trying to keep the wheel down ! The Terraplane XS1100 hack will be safer but Judy says "I don't care about safety."
I started dissembling the 2010 KLR in preparation to make a sub-frame for the Velorex. When I was removing the bolts holding the footpegs and crashbars, one nut on each side spun. After cutting off the bottom of the box that holds the nuts I found the nut with poor tack welds. I did not grind the nut. It just fell out. You can see that there was no penetration of the tack welds; poor design and very bad welding. With the bottom only cut off, there will still be enough steel on the remaining 4 sides of the box to continue using it. There is room enough to place nuts and a wrench.
I have 20 feet of 1 1/4" 1/8" dom to start the sub-frame and a roll bar
