The rig seems to pull to the right so I decided to adjust the bike lean angle. Got the manual out and got confused. The first step seemed to be to make sure the crossmember was parallel, that the hack wheel was perpendicular. It isn't. The wheel is leaning outboard. The crossmember is high on the bike side. Could this be the reason she pulls right?
The sidecar wheel should be vertical. If its leaning out it will definitely want to pull you to the right. Toe out of the sidecar wheel will also do it. The main frame cross tube should be parallel to the ground, not high on the bike side. Once you get the sidecar wheel vertical you can use the front brace to set the bike lean. It may take a few rounds of adjustment and test riding to to get things where you want them.
I've found 1 degree of lean-out instead of the HD recommended lean in works fine for me. Whether the rig is loaded or not I can maintain neutral steering.
Sidecar wheel should be vertical.
This works with the TLE cars and my current Liberty.
Lonnie
Northwest Sidecars
I am running 1 degree lean out and 3/4 toe in. Yes you want the sidecar level then set lean. I use a magnetic base protractor.
Thanks for the help folks. Spent all morning trying to get the wheel plum and couldn't get the set screws loose. Pretty sure I stripped one. Regrouping. Thinking I may have to take the car off to get access. Thanks again.
What year is your rig? I do not know when they stop doing it but I do know on earlier ones you have to disconnect the lower mounts to set toe. On my later rig 06 I do not have to disconnect to set the toe. Trying to find out when this changed.
You have to have the rig at 90% or level but cannot do this with any of the adjustments you do this by where you have it sitting.
The rig is a 2007 ultra. I loosened the u bolts and jacked her up level but could not get those tiny set screws loose. One I had to use a mirror to even see. I hope I am doing this right, any comments/suggestions would be appreciated.
I am lost somewhere what tiny set screws? OK I am all most sure yours is like mine. My bike is a 02 Ultra with a 06 standard sidecar. I wanted the standard hack for reasons. A friend of mine has a 1997 and to adjust the lower mounts he has to take the hack loose. Was just wondering when they chained this.
Can the toe on disc brake models be changed out at the wheel? Mine is a 96 drum brake model and has to be detached from the bike to change the toe (screw the rod ends in or out on the lower connections). The set screws he is talking about are on the rear lower mount, the one with the u-bolts. They're meant to keep the mount from rotating on the tube that runs parallel to the bike. They are very small and mine were very hard to loosen up when I first mounted my sidecar. I changed mine to a mount made by another member here that uses four bolts and a machined clamp instead of the u-bolts.
davet - 3/31/2013 5:42 PM
Can the toe on disc brake models be changed out at the wheel? Mine is a 96 drum brake model and has to be detached from the bike to change the toe (screw the rod ends in or out on the lower connections). The set screws he is talking about are on the rear lower mount, the one with the u-bolts. They're meant to keep the mount from rotating on the tube that runs parallel to the bike. They are very small and mine were very hard to loosen up when I first mounted my sidecar. I changed mine to a mount made by another member here that uses four bolts and a machined clamp instead of the u-bolts.
I just looked at mine and you learn something new every day. In over 4k never did any thing with them even when I put the hack on.
Thanks
Jeff
One thing often over looked (even by Harley) is that the bikes suspension really should be compressed to where it is with you on it before you make sure that the sidecar wheel is straight up and down. When you get on the bike, The back end of the bike drops, This will cause a lean to the left. So adjust every thing with the bike sitting where it is with you on it.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
866-638-1793
www.dmcsidecars.com
jay@dmcsidecars.com
In my limited experience the first set up is just a ball park then you have to tweak it after riding it. That is how I did it. Jay I know you know what you are talking about but I did mine with out sitting on it but I am still learning.
careviasm01, I know whay your talking about with the rear mount, I ended up takeing it off and holding it in a vise and soaking the set screws, finally finding them and getting them loose--they really don't fit loose they are tite anyway, but you get a feel for them that way. Ed
