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Quick detach sidecar?
Quote from Guest on October 23, 2013, 1:09 pmI am serious about buying a sidecar, and want to know if the quick on/off setups are really that easy. I need to know if I should buy a used rig already set up, or go for the new quick detach to go on my Street Glide. I am not really a mechanical kinda girl, so looking for the easiest thing I can afford. Thanks in advance
I am serious about buying a sidecar, and want to know if the quick on/off setups are really that easy. I need to know if I should buy a used rig already set up, or go for the new quick detach to go on my Street Glide. I am not really a mechanical kinda girl, so looking for the easiest thing I can afford. Thanks in advance
Quote from Deleted user on October 23, 2013, 2:11 pmEasy and affordable might be a bit contradictory. The best way to go would be a dedicated rig and another solo bike. I'm sure others will join the conversation with more detail.... Good luck!!
Easy and affordable might be a bit contradictory. The best way to go would be a dedicated rig and another solo bike. I'm sure others will join the conversation with more detail.... Good luck!!
Quote from Guest on October 23, 2013, 3:14 pmI'm starting to think the expensive quick detach may be the cheapest way to go. Just looking online, it looks like about 6-7000 complete. Thanks for your input.
I'm starting to think the expensive quick detach may be the cheapest way to go. Just looking online, it looks like about 6-7000 complete. Thanks for your input.
Quote from Sidewise on October 23, 2013, 5:24 pmHey Trooper13,
Just attaching a sidecar to a motorcycle gives you an inferior handling and much less enjoyable experience. Modifications to the bike will make the experience much more enjoyable and probabbly safer. Once the bike is modified it becomes unrideable as a motorcycle, that's why the majority of sidecar drivers who still like to ride two wheels have another solo track available. I have three others to choose from. In my thinking there is no such thing as an easily removeable sidecar outfit.
Hey Trooper13,
Just attaching a sidecar to a motorcycle gives you an inferior handling and much less enjoyable experience. Modifications to the bike will make the experience much more enjoyable and probabbly safer. Once the bike is modified it becomes unrideable as a motorcycle, that's why the majority of sidecar drivers who still like to ride two wheels have another solo track available. I have three others to choose from. In my thinking there is no such thing as an easily removeable sidecar outfit.
Quote from jaydmc on October 23, 2013, 6:01 pmOn the sidecars we make that come with bike specific mounts, as the mounts do not move you can take the sidecar on or off in about 10 minutes with only 4 bolts, a plug for the wiring and if you order the optional brake a quick disconnect for the brake, However, A few things to keep in mind, the lower two bolts are not all that easy to get to and once you have the sidecar off it is not all that easy to move around so if you are going to do this often you will want a cart to hold the sidecar when taking it on or off. Also when ever you add a sidecar to a bike you end up with heavy steering. If you want light steering then you will want to reduce trail on the front end of the bike. The way we reduce trail on the street glide is to change the triple tree's to tree's that move the front wheel forward about 2 inches. However if you do change trail to make it a better sidecar bike, it is not a good idea to ride with out the sidecar. Almost all of our customers who order a sidecar with the idea of taking it on and off find that they are having so much fun with the sidecar that they do not want to take the sidecar off.
I would be glad to answer any questions you may have if you want to give me a call.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793
On the sidecars we make that come with bike specific mounts, as the mounts do not move you can take the sidecar on or off in about 10 minutes with only 4 bolts, a plug for the wiring and if you order the optional brake a quick disconnect for the brake, However, A few things to keep in mind, the lower two bolts are not all that easy to get to and once you have the sidecar off it is not all that easy to move around so if you are going to do this often you will want a cart to hold the sidecar when taking it on or off. Also when ever you add a sidecar to a bike you end up with heavy steering. If you want light steering then you will want to reduce trail on the front end of the bike. The way we reduce trail on the street glide is to change the triple tree's to tree's that move the front wheel forward about 2 inches. However if you do change trail to make it a better sidecar bike, it is not a good idea to ride with out the sidecar. Almost all of our customers who order a sidecar with the idea of taking it on and off find that they are having so much fun with the sidecar that they do not want to take the sidecar off.
I would be glad to answer any questions you may have if you want to give me a call.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
http://www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793
Quote from SwampFox on October 23, 2013, 10:06 pmGood question Trooper, but I am of similar opinion to Sidewise and jaydmc. Our 1st rig was the Sportster, and, over a couple+ years, it has been modified strictly for sidecar duty, including the triple trees to reduce the trail which was worth the trouble and expense. As for as easy off/on, I haven't found it. Seems it takes me an hour to dismount the sidecar and about 4 hours to re-mount it, but I admit I'm kinda slow. As Jay says, we have so much fun with the sidecars we do not want to take the sidecar off. And as Tom points out, the best way to go would be a dedicated rig and another solo bike -- I have, but after this summer I'm now down to 1 small two-wheel motorcycle.
Good question Trooper, but I am of similar opinion to Sidewise and jaydmc. Our 1st rig was the Sportster, and, over a couple+ years, it has been modified strictly for sidecar duty, including the triple trees to reduce the trail which was worth the trouble and expense. As for as easy off/on, I haven't found it. Seems it takes me an hour to dismount the sidecar and about 4 hours to re-mount it, but I admit I'm kinda slow. As Jay says, we have so much fun with the sidecars we do not want to take the sidecar off. And as Tom points out, the best way to go would be a dedicated rig and another solo bike -- I have, but after this summer I'm now down to 1 small two-wheel motorcycle.
Quote from Guest on October 24, 2013, 10:35 amThanks for the input! I have a 1200 sporty as a 2nd bike. We do a lot of highway miles, will the sporty have enough oomph to get our combined human weight of 320 lbs up the highway if I put a sidecar on it?
Thanks for the input! I have a 1200 sporty as a 2nd bike. We do a lot of highway miles, will the sporty have enough oomph to get our combined human weight of 320 lbs up the highway if I put a sidecar on it?
Quote from jaydmc on October 24, 2013, 10:51 amYour 1200 should have no problem, We had an 883 for a while that would pull us on the highway no problem however we seldom were in 5th gear as 4th worked out much better.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793
Your 1200 should have no problem, We had an 883 for a while that would pull us on the highway no problem however we seldom were in 5th gear as 4th worked out much better.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
http://www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793
Quote from Frankcanuck on October 24, 2013, 1:22 pmWhat year is your sporty? I ask because of gear ratio and cams. I found over the years that a stage one upgrade does perfect increase in HP/torque.
What year is your sporty? I ask because of gear ratio and cams. I found over the years that a stage one upgrade does perfect increase in HP/torque.
Quote from Guest on October 24, 2013, 4:18 pmIt's a 96 with a stock engine and trans.
It's a 96 with a stock engine and trans.
Quote from Sidewise on October 24, 2013, 7:26 pm[/QUOTE]I have a 1200 sporty as a 2nd bike. [/QUOTE]
I to have a '96 883/1200cc conversion Sportster as one of my two wheeled bikes. What is your primary bike it may be better suited to sidecaring than your sporty?
[/QUOTE]I have a 1200 sporty as a 2nd bike. [/QUOTE]
I to have a '96 883/1200cc conversion Sportster as one of my two wheeled bikes. What is your primary bike it may be better suited to sidecaring than your sporty?
Quote from Guest on October 24, 2013, 8:14 pm'08 Street Glide. It is probably better suited, but it is my main ride and I really want to keep it as a 2 wheeler.
'08 Street Glide. It is probably better suited, but it is my main ride and I really want to keep it as a 2 wheeler.
Quote from SwampFox on October 24, 2013, 8:35 pmTrooper13 - 10/24/2013 4:18 PM
It's a 96 with a stock engine and trans.Trooper, should you consider the Sportster, I make a couple of recommendations for a dedicated rig:
1. Gear it down by replacing the front pulley with a take-off from an 883 -- makes both 1st & 5th gears more usable; and
2. Install appropriate triple trees to ease the steering effort -- ours is "raked" 5-degrees.
We have made similar changes to our 2002 XL883R rigid-mount Sportster. It's a great little rig, handles very well, and is quite efficient -- returning 40+mpg up to ~60mph:
Trooper13 - 10/24/2013 4:18 PM
It's a 96 with a stock engine and trans.Trooper, should you consider the Sportster, I make a couple of recommendations for a dedicated rig:
1. Gear it down by replacing the front pulley with a take-off from an 883 -- makes both 1st & 5th gears more usable; and
2. Install appropriate triple trees to ease the steering effort -- ours is "raked" 5-degrees.
We have made similar changes to our 2002 XL883R rigid-mount Sportster. It's a great little rig, handles very well, and is quite efficient -- returning 40+mpg up to ~60mph:
Quote from Guest on October 25, 2013, 9:13 amThanks swamp fox, gonna think about this some more.
Thanks swamp fox, gonna think about this some more.
Quote from Frankcanuck on October 26, 2013, 11:55 amA 96 1200 sporty runs a "w" cam set which give you good low RPM torque ,a set of SE 497's would be better for performance with a stage one ,but the W's will work.
The 883 front sprocket (28 tooth) will give you better take off and highway cruising since it will increase your RPM's at speed...keeping you in the torque band ,but your MPG will be less.
Also if you keep the same final drive belt ,you will be right at the end of adjustment ,since the 883 sprocket is smaller in diameter ,I would use an 883 belt so you can have some adjustability.If you need some advice on a stage one upgrade or parts ,let me know,I'll be glad to help in both departments .
A 96 1200 sporty runs a "w" cam set which give you good low RPM torque ,a set of SE 497's would be better for performance with a stage one ,but the W's will work.
The 883 front sprocket (28 tooth) will give you better take off and highway cruising since it will increase your RPM's at speed...keeping you in the torque band ,but your MPG will be less.
Also if you keep the same final drive belt ,you will be right at the end of adjustment ,since the 883 sprocket is smaller in diameter ,I would use an 883 belt so you can have some adjustability.
If you need some advice on a stage one upgrade or parts ,let me know,I'll be glad to help in both departments .
Quote from SwampFox on October 27, 2013, 8:11 amFrankcanuck - 10/26/2013 11:55 AM
A 96 1200 sporty runs a "w" cam set which give you good low RPM torque ,a set of SE 497's would be better for performance with a stage one ,but the W's will work.
The 883 front sprocket (28 tooth) will give you better take off and highway cruising since it will increase your RPM's at speed...keeping you in the torque band ,but your MPG will be less.
Also if you keep the same final drive belt ,you will be right at the end of adjustment ,since the 883 sprocket is smaller in diameter ,I would use an 883 belt so you can have some adjustability....If you need some advice on a stage one upgrade or parts ,let me know,I'll be glad to help in both departments
Thanks for the specific info Frank -- as you can tell, I understand the concept and results better than the technical aspects. We had a local shop install an aftermarket 1-tooth smaller front pulley on the 883, resulting in both better take off and highway cruising. But, interestingly, by keeping the engine in the torque band, fuel economy actually increased 2+ mpg. I don't know about 1200's, but with the 883, fuel economy is best when cruising at 2800-3100 rpms.
By the way, our 883R only has a stage "1/2" upgrade; that is, a new breather and matching carb rejet, keeping the stock 2-into-1 exhaust to keep it quieter for the passenger. The bike runs noticeably better than stock, but is still does not "breath well" above ~3800 rpms.
Frankcanuck - 10/26/2013 11:55 AM
A 96 1200 sporty runs a "w" cam set which give you good low RPM torque ,a set of SE 497's would be better for performance with a stage one ,but the W's will work.
The 883 front sprocket (28 tooth) will give you better take off and highway cruising since it will increase your RPM's at speed...keeping you in the torque band ,but your MPG will be less.
Also if you keep the same final drive belt ,you will be right at the end of adjustment ,since the 883 sprocket is smaller in diameter ,I would use an 883 belt so you can have some adjustability....If you need some advice on a stage one upgrade or parts ,let me know,I'll be glad to help in both departments
Thanks for the specific info Frank -- as you can tell, I understand the concept and results better than the technical aspects. We had a local shop install an aftermarket 1-tooth smaller front pulley on the 883, resulting in both better take off and highway cruising. But, interestingly, by keeping the engine in the torque band, fuel economy actually increased 2+ mpg. I don't know about 1200's, but with the 883, fuel economy is best when cruising at 2800-3100 rpms.
By the way, our 883R only has a stage "1/2" upgrade; that is, a new breather and matching carb rejet, keeping the stock 2-into-1 exhaust to keep it quieter for the passenger. The bike runs noticeably better than stock, but is still does not "breath well" above ~3800 rpms.
Quote from Frankcanuck on November 3, 2013, 4:25 pmWhat year is your R and what make is your 2-1 exhaust?
What year is your R and what make is your 2-1 exhaust?
Quote from SwampFox on November 3, 2013, 9:34 pmFrank, our tug is a 2002 XL883R with the 2-into-1 OEM exhaust for the 02-03 883R models.
Frank, our tug is a 2002 XL883R with the 2-into-1 OEM exhaust for the 02-03 883R models.
Quote from Frankcanuck on November 4, 2013, 1:14 pmVery nice scoot them 02/03 R's ! but the heads were not very good back then ,very restrictive... they changed in 04 for the better Buell heads.
Short of doing a head swap I'd say drill a 1/2" hole in the baffle muffler plug and maybe a better ignition....going with a 42 Mikuni would be a waste,same for going with a cam change ,since them heads don't breathe very well.
Look on Ebay for some Buell XB heads they do come up for a good price, once in a while.Then you will be able to make that scoot into a powerful rocket! 🙂
Very nice scoot them 02/03 R's ! but the heads were not very good back then ,very restrictive... they changed in 04 for the better Buell heads.
Short of doing a head swap I'd say drill a 1/2" hole in the baffle muffler plug and maybe a better ignition....going with a 42 Mikuni would be a waste,same for going with a cam change ,since them heads don't breathe very well.
Look on Ebay for some Buell XB heads they do come up for a good price, once in a while.Then you will be able to make that scoot into a powerful rocket! 🙂
Quote from Guest on February 4, 2014, 10:45 pmI have a 1980 GL1100 Gold Wing with a Vetter Terraplane mounted to it. The terraplane uses a 3 point mounting system which allows the use of a 'trim adjuster'. This also allows me to pull out 3 bolts and have the car off
in about 10-12 minutes by myself. I made a small cart to put under the car mostly to make it easier to move around when off the bike. I can scoot the car/cart up to the bike, slip in the bottom 2 bolts, tighten them, then pull out the cart, tilt the bike straight up and put in the top bolt and be on the road in less than 15 minutes. It does steer a little bit harder with the car on, but not so that anyone with reasonable upper body strength could not drive it. If you saw me you would know what I mean. I am NOT a Arnold type guy.
I have a 1980 GL1100 Gold Wing with a Vetter Terraplane mounted to it. The terraplane uses a 3 point mounting system which allows the use of a 'trim adjuster'. This also allows me to pull out 3 bolts and have the car off
in about 10-12 minutes by myself. I made a small cart to put under the car mostly to make it easier to move around when off the bike. I can scoot the car/cart up to the bike, slip in the bottom 2 bolts, tighten them, then pull out the cart, tilt the bike straight up and put in the top bolt and be on the road in less than 15 minutes. It does steer a little bit harder with the car on, but not so that anyone with reasonable upper body strength could not drive it. If you saw me you would know what I mean. I am NOT a Arnold type guy.