Topic: Sidecar thread

[Prospect]

Trying to start a thread about sidecars and the cb's.  Tech info is in the FAQ but would appreciate stories of guys who have ridden them or still ride them.  I think it would be a lot of fun with some handling compromise.  What are some of the popular makes?  Is anyone building one right now?  Pics?


This pic taken from another forum

[Stev-o]

This post isn't exactly what your looking for, but I bought one last month.
It was a Russian made Sputnik. I knew nothing about it and really didn't want it.
But I bought a CB550 and the seller insisted I take it as a package along with a spare titled frame.
He said I could just take it to the scrapyard if I didn't want it.  So, I reluctantly picked it up, had nowhere to store it so it sat on the trailer for a few days 'til I took a few pics and listed it on CL.
I was not prepared for the immediate interest I received for it!  Sold it in two days for more than I paid for the entire package. (thanks Randle).

[Prospect]

This post isn't exactly what your looking for, but I bought one last month.
It was a Russian made Sputnik. I knew nothing about it and really didn't want it.
But I bought a CB550 and the seller insisted I take it as a package along with a spare titled frame.
He said I could just take it to the scrapyard if I didn't want it.  So, I reluctantly picked it up, had nowhere to store it so it sat on the trailer for a few days 'til I took a few pics and listed it on CL.
I was not prepared for the immediate interest I received for it!  Sold it in two days for more than I paid for the entire package. (thanks Randle).

You gotta hand it to the Russians.  They don't build the prettiest of things but they're sure sturdy.  It's surprising what side cars go for these days. 

[deafanddiabetc]

My landlord has a Yamaha XS650 with a an old Velorex sidecar. I've been in love with it since I first saw it. Someday I hope to get one similarly so my girlfriend can take trips with me (she can't handle a clutch).

[lrutt]

I picked up a Velorex sidecar about 10 years ago for $600. Had all the parts including top etc. I had it mounted on a 71 Triumph but that struggled too much with it so I found a 78 750K for $450 that just needed carbs cleaned, tires, seat cover, and a repaint. I also put new chain and sprockets and geared it down a bit. Works great as a tug for the Velo. I've added 75lbs of balast to help keep the Velo on the ground during right hand turns. Setup and alignment is key to making it livable going down the road. I'd hate to have it as my only bike but it's a lot of fun as a hauler and round town errand runner.

I re-painted the whole works when I had it torn down so it matches up quite well. I have the car brake linked in to the rear of the bike via a cable. That really helps with stopping. Other than that it's been quite a reliable rig, and I can sure haul a lot of crap in it. Many trips to the Home Depot etc. or grocery shopping.

Picking a car is tough. too big and heavy and it's just cumbersome, too lite like the Velo and you can't keep it on the ground. So I opted for lite and balast that can be removed for passengers etc. The balast resides in the locking trunk behind the car seat. I keep the key for that in the tool tray under the bike seat. So the only key I need to carry is the bike key.

the 750 handles it quite well though, acceleration is good considering the extra 275lbs the rig is carrying. A dual disk front would be helpful but as much as I use it it's ok.

I think the perfect bike for a car would be the 750A. If I found one locally I'd pick it up in a heartbeat for this purpose. That would be just ideal IMO

[jesus freek]

Great looking machine! I love side cars!

[OldSchool_IsCool]

I have a sidecar rig too, a doublewide sucker on a Goldwing tug. I don't have much to add to this thread Re a SOHC tug, but wanted to tag up and watch just in case something hack-wise pops up that I can answer.

FYI, www.dmcsidecars.com has mounts designed for 550s and 750s that bolt on, no welding. I'd suggest going with those rather than "universal" mounts. I learned that lesson the hard way!!  You can Di get a lot of good advice at www.sidecar.com

[jesus freek]

Thanks Old School for posting those links. I never knew there were companys out there still making those links.....off to eBay.

[Prospect]

I picked up a Velorex sidecar about 10 years ago for $600. Had all the parts including top etc. I had it mounted on a 71 Triumph but that struggled too much with it so I found a 78 750K for $450 that just needed carbs cleaned, tires, seat cover, and a repaint. I also put new chain and sprockets and geared it down a bit. Works great as a tug for the Velo. I've added 75lbs of balast to help keep the Velo on the ground during right hand turns. Setup and alignment is key to making it livable going down the road. I'd hate to have it as my only bike but it's a lot of fun as a hauler and round town errand runner.

Do you think the extra weight and stress on the engine significantly reduced the life of the engine? 

[lrutt]

As much as I ride this rig, I'll never wear it out. That much I know. If you put 20k miles a year on I suspect clutch, swingarm, shocks, forks, steering bearings would wear faster. They all have more stress than designed for. Just keep up on the maintenance and you'd be ok.

[Megadeus]

Here is the current status of my CB550 / Velorex 560 project... Needs some fresh paint but it goes down the road very nicely.   Made my own subframe for the CB.

[OldSchool_IsCool]

Sweet!!

[kslrr]

I don't have a rig, yet......but I'd luv to build a custom "leaner" setup for my '81 CB650C.  I've got a 19" Comstar with disk brake that would look sweet and to figure out how to link an hydraulic brake to a mechanical would be neat.

[70CB750]

Here is the current status of my CB550 / Velorex 560 project... Needs some fresh paint but it goes down the road very nicely.   Made my own subframe for the CB.

would you mind posting detail pictures of the mounting points?

[Megadeus]

Mounting pictures:





I had the luxury of a spare frame to use as a subframe jig. 





I just used 1.25" square stock tubing.  Cut to fit. 

[70CB750]

Excellent, thank you!

Stealing pictures  , there may be a day when I get a sidecar too.