Author Topic: CB750 with sidecar? (Read 16131 times)

andy750 · « **on:** March 06, 2007, 08:22:38 AM »

Any sidecar experts here? Im getting very tempted by this bike/sidecar combo

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=011&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=320086766267&rd=1,1

but have no sidecar experience. I figure I could paint the sidecar black and the tank and put some chrome strip on the sidecar - could look kind of classic. Clearly the joints are important but can anything be told from the photos? Is it a good buy? What kind of top speed would you expect with such a rig? Common sidecar issues? Anyone have any experience/thoughts on this?

thanks in advance,
Andy

mick750F · « **Reply #1 on:** March 06, 2007, 08:39:38 AM »

Andy...I have no sidecar experience but I've been watching that auction. That rig is the right color for my bike and Sammy would be stylin'' riding in it wearing a leather aviator helmet,goggles and silk scarf.

Mike

I think Chung has a sidecar set-up.

andy750 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 06, 2007, 08:44:18 AM »

Hye Mike, well if you want it Ill go pick it up for you (and yes Im serious!) -would be great for Sammy :-)

let me know what you decide.
cheers
Andy

mick750F · « **Reply #3 on:** March 06, 2007, 08:52:32 AM »

Andy...As much as I like the idea of having a sidecar it's probably the last thing I should be spending money on right now. I'm watching the auction out of curiosity more than anything else. It would be a fun road trip to go get it and ride it home though. I passed through the Black Hills a couple of years ago on a road trip. Beautiful country out there...

Mike

andy750 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 06, 2007, 08:55:52 AM »

Oh come on Mike you know you want to

You only live once!! I rode through the Black Hillls in October 2001 - was snow on the ground and 30F brrrrrr.....chilly.

cheers
Andy

hahnda · « **Reply #5 on:** March 06, 2007, 09:06:53 AM »

I'm on my third sidecar rig. First was a CX500 and it could do 65 down the interstate with me at 200 a buddy at 200 and a decent headwind. Next one I restored and mounted myself. It was a '79 XS1100 and a Watsonian sidecar. That one could cruise pretty easy and I had it over a 100 a couple times for testing purposes. My current one is an '85 VF1100S Sabre with a motorvation sidecar. This one really moves. I would say that the 750 would have no problem whatsoever keeping up with interstate traffic. If properly in tune it should pull it pretty easy in fact. It will be noticeable though. The sidecar will push the bike left when stopping and drag the bike right when accelerating. The biggest problem people have with sidecars is that they say they handle like crap and its hard to drive them. Well if you ever saw how these people had them set up you could see why. Sidecars need proper lean and toe in adjustments depending on driver weight and possibly passenger weight. If you are looking for decent info on sidecars in general check out, http://www.sidecar.com/hal.htm and download a manual or two.

In my opinion the sidecar and the fact that it is mounted to the bike is worth an extra $1000 over the cost of a solo bike.

Kevin

andy750 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 06, 2007, 09:09:40 AM »

Thanks Kevin that was really useful info. Id love to see some pics of your rigs sometime if you get the chance.

cheers
Andy

hahnda · « **Reply #7 on:** March 06, 2007, 09:15:56 AM »

Here is the CX500

Here is the XS1100

Here is the current Sabre rig

And here is a Cavalcade and Terraplane that I helped my brother-in-law put together last winter.

andy750 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 06, 2007, 09:33:32 AM »

Wow Kevin! Great rigs!! Really nice and of course love the dog in the car. How far are you from the Black Hills, SD

? Ideally Id love to get a rig (if I was going to) and come to an expert like yourself and have it checked out.

many thanks for sharing
Andy

hahnda · « **Reply #9 on:** March 06, 2007, 09:42:28 AM »

I am about 730 miles straight east of the Black Hills.

hahnda · « **Reply #10 on:** March 06, 2007, 09:48:41 AM »

It might also help to check these out for other possibilities.

http://www.sidecar.com/megabbs/forum-view.asp?forumid=7

http://www.hackd.com/classifieds.html

andy750 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 06, 2007, 09:49:19 AM »

Oooh on the way back to Boston, MA

....tempting!

Thanks for the links Kevin - very useful.
thanks
Andy

TwoTired · « **Reply #12 on:** March 06, 2007, 12:24:22 PM »

Hey Kevin,
I'm curious as to just how the side car attached to the CX500. Frame attachments points would seem to be a challenge. Did you change the forks, too?

Cheers,

hahnda · « **Reply #13 on:** March 06, 2007, 12:43:37 PM »

I didn't mount the sidecar to the bike. That rig was my first experience with sidecars. I went to look at the bike and ended up coming home with the whole thing.

It did have an interesting way of mounting and if I were have done it myself I may not have mounted it in the same way. A subframe using various attaching points should have been used but the way it was mounted did hold up quite well. The lower mounts were ball mounts clamped directly to the bike frame and fit into socket mounts on the sidecar. The front upper went to the top mounting bolt of the engine and the rear went to the luggage rack I think. Not an ideal mounting point in the upper rear. All in all it was very solid and it all worked quite well. Front forks were original to the bike I believe. Was a fun rig. I could fly the chair on that one for miles. Not always the smartest thing but hell, why not.

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #14 on:** March 06, 2007, 12:49:40 PM »

Quote

I could fly the chair on that one for miles.

hahnda · « **Reply #15 on:** March 06, 2007, 12:52:26 PM »

Flying my Sabre.

Much harder than with the CX. Wider and heavier sidecar make it hard to fly but actually that is a good thing when taking right hand corners at speed.

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #16 on:** March 06, 2007, 12:53:37 PM »

Pretty much what I thought it meant, thanks. Looks challenging.

chung · « **Reply #17 on:** March 07, 2007, 09:30:46 AM »

I have the same sidecar as the red one on ebay. They didn't mout that one properly. I would be scared of it till it was remounted. Take a look at the upper rear mount. That's a strap that goes around the frame and they have it bolted to the rear shock. I don't want to know what that plate in the front is bolted to, maybe the horn bracket?

Mine has been on several 750s. Loads of fun and you can carry lots of stuff. This sidecar was designed for smaller bikes, 350cc and up. So a 750 is pushing it, A Wing would be way too big.

bill440cars · « **Reply #18 on:** March 07, 2007, 06:30:35 PM »

Anybody know the brand of that sidecar in the ebay listing? I ask this because it looks a lot like mine except for color. To me, it has the look of an early California sidecar. It's got 4 places to mount it to a bike. It was originally on a SOHC750, an early 1000 Wing (not sure of the year of either bike) and now it's on my 80' CB750K. Still got to make final adjustments, sort out some light issues and get me some tires on this thing. Also, the bike needs a new coat of paint. After that, I'll be doing a lot of neighborhood strolling, to get used to it before I hit the open road (with a ballast weight of about 1000lbs in the car). Don't need to flip that sucker over, now do I?

After I get things taken care of, I'll try to get some pictures and post them, for those who might be interested. Any input, on the brand of the sidecar, would be appreciated.

Later on, Bill

BTW, did anyone here end up with that one on ebay? Just curious.

Cowboy · « **Reply #19 on:** March 07, 2007, 08:36:44 PM »

This is my favorite photo of flying sidecars: Chinese soldiers, carrying two passengers, fly the sidecars (in formation) while the sidecar passenger changes the tire on the chair. Amazing.

I have one of those old Chinese sidecar rigs just like the ones in the photo, but I'm chicken to try flying the chair. I kind of like the training wheel, and I'll keep it on the ground, thanks!

My rig:

chung · « **Reply #20 on:** March 07, 2007, 09:44:52 PM »

It is a Doug Bingham design although Doug tells me that his partner stole his "plans" and customer list and started CALIFORNIA SIDECAR. Smewher around 1973?

Mine is the later design, having a swinging arm w/coilover, the early ones had a tortion bar and no damper.

Anyway, it is named the COMPAINION. Small bikes were the goal (350cc and up) and the GOLDWING is a very poor choice for this hack. It is way too light and way too weak to have a full 1/2 ton of Honda leaning on it. I am usimg a CB750 and it is overweight.

I have made over a decade study of this Outfit if anyone wants to email me, I can give a few clues as to making it safe and fun

HITMAN · « **Reply #21 on:** March 07, 2007, 10:21:35 PM »

Quote

Anyway, it is named the COMPAINION. Small bikes were the goal (350cc and up) and the GOLDWING is a very poor choice for this hack. It is way too light and way too weak to have a full 1/2 ton of Honda leaning on it. I am usimg a CB750 and it is overweight.

So right, having a GL1200A and a Friendship 2 I couldn't imagine the sidecar being any lighter. Mine as it is can be freaky riding alone without ballast (monkey or sandbag), but I regretfully have great experience 'flying the chair'.

Chung: What kind of info do you have? I have considered mounting a sidecar to my 550, down the road proj but still thinking.

bill440cars · « **Reply #22 on:** March 07, 2007, 11:20:23 PM »

Hey chung,

Who are you responding to about with the comment about what brand of sidecar it is?

If you're talking to me, I kinda thought it was a California Companion. And mine has the
suspension with the coil over shock. It also has a snap on compartment cover, a chrome flip over
foot rest and the seat flips forward for access to storage area behind the seat. I've sent you an
email for whatever info you have. Thanks, Bill

chung · « **Reply #23 on:** March 08, 2007, 02:16:23 AM »

Yea Bill440 I guess you asked who made it? DOUG BINGHAM designed it (Van Nuys, CA 1971?)..... CALIFORNIA SIDECAR product (Virginia?} 1973-current???

Several on egay, I'm pleased. I had plans to do a couple more to practice/sell............ If I can ever finish the first one

Mine can't weigh much more than 150-175 pounds. No kidding, not a good choice for a 750 forget the GL.

I just went to the CS site and they claimed "ladder frame..... 205 LBS" not the same animal that I have.

Anyway. I have a lot of stuff that I gathered. No it isn't all stored in cyberspace so you can't wiggle you nose and have the pix magically appear in your face. But i can scan/translate a lot of it for Ya. and I'll make the rest of it up as we go.

And Bill, stop it with the 440 stuff unless you are willing to back it up? I have a 25 footer with a 413 4V so I can tell Mister. LOLLOLLOL She holds a 145 gallons of low octane gasoline and wants more on a regular basis. I am logged in at the AutoShak as a 1970 Road Runner with a 440/6pak for gaskets and such. LOLLOLLOLLOLLOLLOL

Have your people contact my people and we'll do lunch sometime

chung · « **Reply #24 on:** March 08, 2007, 02:57:18 AM »

Doug said that the 750 was too heavy/the companion was too light for the marriage of the two.

He suggested that I take a 1/2 inch steel plate and weld it to the frame under the chair. (150 lbs) He said "you will never see it". Not gonna happen Dude

I have original docs about that chair and it was originally designed for bike with engines as small as 90cc, just put a pizza sized sprocket on the bike.

Perhaps we should open this topic elsewhere? OTHER BIKES is the first choice but maybe start a new "area" for odd machines. I have worked on a MORGAN which had a CB750 between the front wheels and a looooooooong chain drive to a single rear wheel. You still out there Glen?

Some day, I'll get this fotobucket mystery solved and I will post little teasers along with the technobabble

PS.... preliminary specs with a 78 CB750F: 40-44 inch track, 14-16 inch lead and 10 gal water for ballast. 0 toe in. It ain't that easy but you can make it turn left AND right. Use caution, like a NASCAR Cupcar.... left and right are not the same. The neighbours #1Son weighed bout 100 and I affectionately renamed him "Ballast"

lrutt · « **Reply #25 on:** March 08, 2007, 06:22:42 AM »

You can see from my avatar I have a k8 with a valorex 562 on it. I run 75lbs of lead balast and it handles extremely neutral going down the road. I can fly the chair if I want but it works fine.

I'd say the mounts on he one you're looking at need to be inspected. They look kind of strange. But the 750 handles it fine. I should regear mine a little lower and probably will when it wears out the chain on it now.

It's a great vehicle for running errands. I've loaded it at home depot, gone grocery shoping, etc. Will return in the 40's mpg running around town.

hahnda · « **Reply #26 on:** March 08, 2007, 06:32:00 AM »

That sidecar shape was used by a lot of outfits. Bingham, California, also heard it as a Spirit of America, Easy Rider, and Texas Sidecar still makes a model that looks like it. http://www.texassidecars.com/sidecars.htm

Lots of info about sidecars, how to mount, how to drive, etc here:

www.sidecar.com/Files/SC%20Manual.pdf

Also a good yahoo group.
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/SCT/

And if anybody is interested I host a sidecar rally the first weekend in June here in Wisconsin.

http://www.cwizard.com/skunk/

andy750 · « **Reply #27 on:** March 08, 2007, 07:09:28 AM »

Hey Bill, No I didnt bid in the end as I wasnt sure about the mounting and by the advice of the experts here looks like a good decision. Id still like a CB750/sidecar rig so if anyone sees one (with good struts :-)), post it here in the Forums. Thanks to all for the great advice, much appreciated.
cheers
Andy

bill440cars · « **Reply #28 on:** March 08, 2007, 07:16:51 AM »

Hey chung,

Yeah, I was asking about who made mine. I browsed around some and, from what I could tell, it is a California Companion model (or something like it). I sent you an email but it got returned. Can you help out with that?
And, just so ya know, I use "440" for the fact that I am a Mopar Fanatic (been one sice as far back as I can remember and I'll be 60 later this month), I once had a 69' road runner that (after a few years) I replaced the 383 with a 440, (a few years back) I had a 74' Dodge Royal Monaco (ex State Police car) with the 440 Interceptor and I just plain like the motor.

I've had several with the 383 motor which is basically the same (same design except bore & stroke are different and the 440 is a member of the "Raised Deck" blocks). I am into the 413s and the 426s (Wedge & Hemi) also. Got nothing against the Small blocks, just prefer the big blocks. Does that pretty well explain it to you?

We may just end up starting another thread just to hash all this sidecar and Mopar stuff out.

Later on, Bill

bill440cars · « **Reply #29 on:** March 08, 2007, 07:22:30 AM »

Hey Kevin,
Thanks for the info.

I'd seen some of it because of Uncle Ernie and the FAQ forum. I will definitely check out the others though. I didn't really know about ALL the different manufactuors of the sidecars. Thanks for that too.

Later on, Bill

bill440cars · « **Reply #30 on:** March 08, 2007, 07:27:41 AM »

Quote from: andy750 on March 08, 2007, 07:09:28 AM

Hey Bill, No I didnt bid in the end as I wasnt sure about the mounting and by the advice of the experts here looks like a good decision. Id still like a CB750/sidecar rig so if anyone sees one (with good struts :-)), post it here in the Forums. Thanks to all for the great advice, much appreciated.
cheers
Andy

Just wondering Andy. That mounting did look a little flaky. Yeah, just keep your eye open and put out some feelers and you'll probably turn up something. Take care and LOL on your quest.

Later on, Bill

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Author Topic: CB750 with sidecar? (Read 16131 times)