@Glenn Fleming, we better explain...UDF.
UDF is Ural Delay Factor, which means that anywhere you stop, others will gather around your sidecar rig, and....gawk.
These gawkers will have questions, many questions, which causes a delay in you leaving.
Be the Boy Scout of your youth......Be Prepared !
Two Million Mile Rider...All 7 Continents
Exploring the World in Comfort
There is of course SDF. Which requires no Ural involvement.
Olga has gone to a new Home. Real nice guy and his wife in Junction. Garaged at night and ridden around town during the day.
Sooooooo....for a brief moment, you are, in fact, sidecarless? Running one that is.
Illegitemi non carborundum est!
Sooooooo....for a brief moment, you are, in fact, sidecarless? Running one that is.
very temporarily yes. Was hoping to get the Bandit rig all done for this trip that I’m leaving on tomorrow. And it didn’t happen. For some reason it’s not getting spark. I think my igniter has failed. So when I get back I will run it down to my mechanic that I trust. And see if he can figure it out. I’m gonna have to do this trip on two wheels
Ground Control to Pilot Tim...
Ground Control to Pilot Tim...
Check all GROUNDS that were disconnected during your recent work.
Two Million Mile Rider...All 7 Continents
Exploring the World in Comfort
You guys offer great advice for a newcomer to sidecars, THANK YOU!
One cost that I have not seen mentioned anywhere when talking about a BYO (build your own) rig, is the lift or a platform for raising the rig up off the ground. Something the professional sidecar builders all do. Some even have specialized lift to set alignment.
Most newbies are not aware of the amount of time and wrenching that is needed from the underside of the motorcycle and sidecar to properly attach and align the two. Laying on the ground to do this work is not efficient nor productive for making sure all connections are proper, tight and right.
Buying a lift or building platform for a one time build is not cost effective either. I know.
Keep all of your constructive information and ideas coming,
Ride safe, y'all
Jan Daub
President USCA
Laying on the garage floor is how I get my nap in secret.
"Snoring? No honey, that is the sound my new Grundersnapper e-tool makes. A few more days of this, and the platosphere should align very nicely with the post frederstamp. Great progress today!" 😉
Hold my keyboard and watch this! 🙃
One cost that I have not seen mentioned anywhere when talking about a BYO (build your own) rig, is the lift or a platform for raising the rig up off the ground. Something the professional sidecar builders all do. Some even have specialized lift to set alignment.
Most newbies are not aware of the amount of time and wrenching that is needed from the underside of the motorcycle and sidecar to properly attach and align the two. Laying on the ground to do this work is not efficient nor productive for making sure all connections are proper, tight and right.
Buying a lift or building platform for a one time build is not cost effective either. I know.
Jan Daub
President USCA
El Presidente', I have been to a few of the biggest sidecar manufacturers here in the US, and have not seen any kind of sidecar lift or stand being used at 3 of the 4 commercial manufacturers/assembly shops that I have had full tours of their facilities. Example: Hannigan does not use a sidecar lift or stand, they just take naps on the ground, as instructed by Scott @sheath. Neither does Champion Sidecars.
I agree with you, sidecar owners need to think about using a stand or lift, and whilst one can build a lift of stand, it can be expensive if only used periodically.
The only shop I have seen a sidecar lift or stand being used, as it should be used, is in LBS-USA, by Mike Paull, in Poulsbo, WA.
Or, in my own shop.
Here comes the sales pitch: Once again, I will be selling my ranch in the near future, so it someone wants a fully prepped shop, with a 9,000 lb asymmetrical arm car lift that can also lift any/all sidecar rigs, and 2 wheeled motorcycles, think about moving to Washington State, land of more sidecar rigs per capita than anywhere else, where we have clean air, clean water, and hopefully a White Christmas, (although I will be in Scotland this Christmas, but that is a digression)
Two Million Mile Rider...All 7 Continents
Exploring the World in Comfort
A lift or stand you mention in conjunction with alignment.
My solution for a cheap lift is a chain block hanging from a reinforced truss rafter.
With soft slings to hold the bike.
Then a personel lifter (ex hospital dumpster ) to pick up the sidecar.
Now to the point.
A steel platform that can be used to align the rig?
Food for thought.
Easy enough to set the bike wheels in a fixed straight position.
Likewise the chair wheel could be easily measured?
The other thing would be to either pre load with weights or scales built-in to pull down straps to copy suspension sag loaded.
For some (most) it would need to fold up after.
It would be the service platform as well.
Let's see how far down or up the list of importance it would be....
This Harbor Fright Scissor lift looks somewhat appealing... $1,500 bucks or so, low enough profile to leave in place in a garage bay.
This guy has posted a few reviews on Youtube and seems pleased with it. Using it semi-professionally.
I could see one in a garage with some ceiling height challenges. Use a roll around stool and could do most car work with a little planning.
