Author Topic: I wanna build a sidecar. (Read 5726 times)

geminimotors · « **on:** February 08, 2012, 09:58:34 PM »

Yep. I want to make a sidecar, so I thought I'd appeal to the SOHC4 Braintrust for links, actual experience, plans, etc.
It will be mounted to a cb450 twin which is ridden in a 'joyful' manner- as opposed to 'enthusiastic' or 'spirited'. I'd appreciate experiential anecdotes or plans.
Moderator- Feel free to move this thread if it gets ugly. Or shiny. Or too aromatic.

70CB750 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 09, 2012, 04:32:42 AM »

Subsrcibed- or whatever

I was thinking about it yesterday, I am sure my dog would love it since he likes to ride in my jeep sans the doors.

There is some good text from Uncle Ernie here on SOHC I found yesterday, anyway keep us posted with pictures.

Simpson · « **Reply #2 on:** February 09, 2012, 06:44:58 AM »

I've wanted to put one on my cl360 for years now, but the price tag has scared me away.
Be great to take my dog for a ride.

Leanier · « **Reply #3 on:** February 09, 2012, 06:50:27 AM »

This guy has a short little thread about thinking of building one, pretty interesting. http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=550148

gerhed · « **Reply #4 on:** February 09, 2012, 07:45:53 AM »

I built one a few years back--mostly wood and canvas.
--sidecar frame out of kindorf

geminimotors · « **Reply #5 on:** February 09, 2012, 08:43:38 AM »

Gerhed, Thanks for the photo. Do you have any shots of the attachment points?

gerhed · « **Reply #6 on:** February 09, 2012, 09:40:46 AM »

The Indian has a mounting point just under the seat.
You need a high mounting point.
Kindorf from the frame was u-bolted to the bike frame down low in 2 spots.

OldSchool_IsCool · « **Reply #7 on:** February 09, 2012, 10:56:45 AM »

I have a sidecar in an '82 Goldwing. I have the "tub" taken off the frame right now as I rework the mounts. I'd be happy to take pics of what I have, right or wrong" so you can design according.

If you go to the "Photo Scavenger Hunt" thread under the "Open" forum, you can kinda sorta see a pic of the naked frame on page 27. Look for the green 550 in the background.

Also, www.sidecar.com has a forum and a ton of info.

BeSeeingYou · « **Reply #8 on:** February 09, 2012, 10:29:09 PM »

Quote from: gerhed on February 09, 2012, 07:45:53 AM

--sidecar frame out of kindorf

Nice work. Whenever I used the term Kindorf to anyone outside of my old co-workers I would get a puzzled look. So I stated to use "uni-strut".

mcpuffett · « **Reply #9 on:** February 10, 2012, 02:17:44 AM »

Hi me and my mate built one for me to pass my motorbike test on back in the early 1980's, we used a Honda CJ250T because it was cheap then @£75, the sidecar chassis was built out of box section and we used a small indespension unit for the sidecar wheel fitted with a 300X8 wheel & tyre,

we used some correct universal sidecar fittings that we got hold of & made every fitting adjustable, & we used 4 mounting points, the motorbike and sidecar were set up so the sidecar had 1" of toein and the bike had 1" of lean out to the right, i think we got the measurements etc out of a haynes workshop manual, if i can find a photo i will attach it,

the box was a bolt on affair & was made out of angle iron & plywood and with its cover on finished it off nicely,

the first few times out on the outfit i had the box half full of newspapers for ballast to keep the sidecar wheel down whilst taking lefthanders,
once i had ridden it a few times and got the hang of it i got rid of the newspapers and i could get the chair wheel up and ride a long with it in the air

the box was used to carry passengers & my own stuff

, heres some photos i took back then when we were building it hope there of some use or enjoyment cheers Mick.

70CB750 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 11, 2012, 08:12:53 AM »

Few assumptions/questions:

The third wheel has a spring and shock?
No brake on the third wheel
Front wheel from CB750K would work on the sidecar?
Safety inspection or license for sidecar?
What position of the third wheel in relation to the rear wheel - next to it or forward?

And thanks for the data - i expected toe in and the incline but its good to have confirmaton.

mcpuffett · « **Reply #11 on:** February 11, 2012, 09:44:01 AM »

Hi the third wheel on my outfit had no brakes but i have seen others with brakes, mine had a small indespension unit (used on trailers etc) but most i have seen had a shock absorber some older ones had leaf springs or sprung hubs,

if you made some sort of axle any wheel would fit i guess?,

no safety inspection needed in the uk if you fit a sidecar but would have to pass MOT at next testing to prove roadworthyness etc,

mine was just forward of the rear wheel and most i have seen are in a similar position ,

other thing i remembered we did was to use Avon Speedmaster tyres front and back they have a square profile to them and we also fitted a fork brace, cheers Mick.

70CB750 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 11, 2012, 09:55:42 AM »

Thanks! Now i wish Zamberk was closer - thats were czech velorex sidecars are built:)

OldSchool_IsCool · « **Reply #13 on:** February 11, 2012, 11:53:31 AM »

I went with an air shock for ride/load adjustability

Hack wheel should lead the rear tug wheel by between 10% and 20% of wheel base (distance between front & back bike hubs). Set the wheel for a three-quarter inch toe-in. I can explain more on this if you don't already know what I mean.

You can put a brake on the hack wheel, but getting it to work right with your other brakes is tricky, particularly if your load changes a lot. Better to get used to playing the "yaw" of the rig as you accelerate/decelerate/ change load.

My rig is set up to use a standard 4 on 4 trailer wheel as seen in the foreground here with the tub removed.

70CB750 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 11, 2012, 11:59:47 AM »

Looks like it is easier to build with trailer wheel - and I have some with square tire and all but spooked wheel would match the bike.

OldSchool_IsCool · « **Reply #15 on:** February 11, 2012, 12:10:07 PM »

Yes, a spoked wheel would look cool and match the bike, but engineering a spinal or swing arm to carry rhe axle isnt a trivial task.

Here is a link to my hack photos. Feel free to browse all you like.

http://s624.photobucket.com/albums/tt324/OldSchool_IsCool/Hack/

70CB750 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 11, 2012, 12:44:10 PM »

Thank you. It is still just a wild dream, my do list is miles long:)

OldSchool_IsCool · « **Reply #17 on:** February 11, 2012, 12:47:51 PM »

Yea, dream of mine too. I got lucky and found a hack cheap on CraigsList. Barn find really If you look at the early photos, y'all see what a POS it was!

754 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 11, 2012, 01:11:10 PM »

I put mine on left side.. wheel approx 1/4 way between main wheels..
.
Trailer wheel is UberGay for SOHC men..... at first I used a Cushman wheel but then I saw the SOHClight and used a Mini-Trail wheel.
Spun up a Billet hub and used a 3/4 inch axle.. T&G shaft, I think..

With platform on left, it is easy to push bike around and easier to kickstart.. never had mine on the road, mostly ran in the dirt..

News:

Author Topic: I wanna build a sidecar. (Read 5726 times)