This is probably an obvious question but I am not sure about what size tire to put on sidecar. A friend and I have an old heavy sidecar we are reconditioning and that friend wants to match the heavy rear tire on the motorcyle by placing exact same size 17 inch tire and wheel on the sidecar. I am thinking we should probably but a thinner tire on the sidecar for less contact patch and maybe even larger than 17 inch so it rides better? Any ideas?
The main issue is having a tire that matches or exceeds the weight capacity needs of the sidecar rig. Remembering that sideloading in turns will add considerable bike weight to the actual loaded weight of the sidecar.
Secondly: A larger diameter wheel will afford more ground clearance if that is desired. Some like the car low for easier entry and esthetics, some like them high and gnarly. Depending on planned road/off-road usage.
The Brits use a lot of wheels 10" and up on heavier cars.
The Russians and Chinese go for 19" on their retro cars.
A fatter tire will ride softer with less air pressure and a skinny one with a smaller footprint will turn easier.
You only need to match size when you have two wheel drive.
Lonnie
Northwest Sidecars
Something to consider is how much adjustment you have to level the car to the bike, keep it parallel to the road and still get lean out, too big of a tire could cause a problem, I had to go to a larger tire because they quit makeing my OEM size and had to completely redo everything because it lifted it, put it in a nose down plane and messed up my lean out, took awhile but I got it.
