Topic: Utility sidecar?

[RustyStuff]

I've kinda got a wild idea that mabey someday i'll build a little sidecar for my bike. I've been trying to figure out a way to haul my telescope with me camping, and  if It goes on the bike I would have to abandon any passengers and a tent. It would also be nice for going and getting grocerys, small building supplys.

I saw a pic on here of one like what I would want. I would only have it on for camping, going to the store, those kinds of thing. It would not be for a person to ride in.
Something like a 2ftx2ftx3-4ft box. No seat, no fancy stuff. Just a cargo box.

Anyone ever do anything similar? I can't afford to drive my truck around anymore while i'm in school  , and it's not worth enough to sell it and buy anything else. This would " sort of' take it's place.

[rbmgf7]

Visit advrider.com. You may have to register to see it but click the Hack thread. There's a sticky on there on how to make a sidecar. You CANNOT just build a rig, bolt it up, and expect it to work. There is a great deal of detail in getting the dimesions and positioning right. If you wing it, it could be extremely dangerous once you get it on the road.

A cheaper version would be to look into panniers (saddlebags) and maybe a rear utility rack.

I have the 36L Caribou cases on my bike and I can fill up two handbaskets of groceries in both cases. When I go on a weekend jaunt, I can fit my sleeping bag, sleeping mat, stove, a couple days of food, and a spare set of clothes with room to spare. Then the tank bag holds the camera. Here's a pic of what it looks like.



I built a rear utility rack to hold a duffel for extra crap for my longer rides. In your case, you could place your telescope on there.

It's a different bike but I'm just trying to pass the concept onto you.

In your case, you'll need a set of custom brackets fabricated to bolt to your bike but I can guarantee you that'll still be cheaper than building a side car. Some have spent a couple grand to just for the frame, links, brackets, suspension, brakes, spindle, and the wheel. That's not even including the tub.

[754]

I built one..thought it up beginning of the week got tubes bent Wed flogged Fri and Sat, was on the track on Sunday .. whoo-Hoo.

 Just a platform , comes off in 10 min if you leave a few brackets on.

 You need acess to muffler shop, or tubing bender.
 Welder, drill press or small mill, grinders, etc.. and a small whhel like minitrail.. or maybe somthing bigger( that getsa bit harder to mount.).

[754]

 WWWwwwaaaaaaayyyy cheaper to build the platform than buy them bags...

[RustyStuff]

I've been reading over on Avdrider. Lots of info.

I know I wont be able to just quicky fab something up. But I've got allmost all the tools you can imageing at my disposal, plus free materials. the only thing I would have to buy is a rim with a good tire, and a spindle/ or machine one from metalstock. I'm a decent welder and metalworker.

I'm thinking about building panniers, but i'm not sure if I could fit ones large enough that they could carry enough for 2 people for 3-5 days. I can see needing to take 2-3 gallons of water along. It's hot here in the summer.

I wouldent do any suspencion, or brakes. I'm fat and planning on being less fat by this summer. So if I can keep the weight/size of the sidecar down it wouldent burden the brakes more than my weight does.

I build things because I can;t afford to buy them. hence the CB650.

754, wanna post some pic's?

[754]

 I cant post pics, but I can help out a bit.  I might be able to get someone to take pics of a few of the parts..
 I had to machine a block to hold the sidecar axle and let it pivot.. because I HAD NO PLANS, I mde the wheel angle about 10-15 degrees adjustable. I made the sidecar wheel hub on the lathe.. There is a few parts that you will want to make on a lathe.
 I never ran it on the street though, planned on it, may still.. I did run it on the dirt track.

 How big is the telescope? put it vertical behind the seat and beside wheel..like a golf bag..

 the cargo sidehack can be built for 2-400bux, plus labour..

[RustyStuff]

I cant post pics, but I can help out a bit.  I might be able to get someone to take pics of a few of the parts..
 I had to machine a block to hold the sidecar axle and let it pivot.. because I HAD NO PLANS, I mde the wheel angle about 10-15 degrees adjustable. I made the sidecar wheel hub on the lathe.. There is a few parts that you will want to make on a lathe.
 I never ran it on the street though, planned on it, may still.. I did run it on the dirt track.

 How big is the telescope? put it vertical behind the seat and beside wheel..like a golf bag..

 the cargo sidehack can be built for 2-400bux, plus labour..

well the telescopes size depends but IN it's current form,  it would be about 18" across( base is a box), with a 8" tube thats about 5ft tall. So unless I built an enirely new scope that colapses into smaller size, it's too tall to strap on the bike ( realistaly it would be like 8ft tall on the back of the bike).

I've got a lathe to use so that's ok. Labors free.

Right now this is just a spitball of an idea.

[mcpuffett]

Hi its been awhile since me and my mate built this for me its based on a Honda 250 ,we used some actual sidecar mounting parts that we picked up from the breakers and the rest from the scrapyard ,made it so it bolted on and off & made the box so you could carry a passenger or bits and pieces, cheers Mick.

[754]

 Try to keep your width so it can fit in a full size pick-up box...just in case.
 Ditto on looking for some used fittingd, be a big help.
 the one shown can be built for low cost.

[RustyStuff]

That's EXACTLY what i'm looking for. Thanks for the pic's.

How'd it work? I've got a little trailer axle and rim's I could use for it.

[333]

I've got no pics, but I built one once for a CB125S.  I made the frame from simple 1.5" angle iron, and fastened a front fprk from a Honda 50cc scooter for a wheel.  I used Naugahyde covered plywood for the body panels, and sheet metal for the floor pan.  I was going to hook up the brake, but never got around to it.  Mounted it with one actual sidecar mount on the frame in front of the motor, and made mounts from the right main peg, and the frame just in front of the rear shock.  The main problem I had was to mount it far enough away from the kick starter, as it did not have electric start.