The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2

General Category => Chit-Chat => Topic started by: JDS on February 08, 2010, 07:47:46 PM

Title: ????Sidecar????
Post by: JDS on February 08, 2010, 07:47:46 PM
No real reason, but I bought a sidecar for the r65 today. needs paint but supposed to have came off an 81 R65. looks like a 40-100 hr project. advice needed. Its an 81 equalean but its not leanable. Pd 500.00 seat and fiberglass look good. I broke the windshield loading.
Title: Re: ????Sidecar????
Post by: nhmaf on February 09, 2010, 08:43:16 AM
That's an interesting looking car!   I know that they've been out of business for a while, but if you don't already know about them, the forum over at www.sidecar.com can probably hook you up with sources to find info or parts for it.  There are at least a few guys on the forum that are sidecar dealers/installers.
Title: Re: ????Sidecar????
Post by: Bengt_Phorqs on February 09, 2010, 09:48:45 AM
That is a really cool looking boat there!  If you ever give up on that project let me know.  Long term I'm looking to put a hack on the R90.  In the meantime it looks like it will be fun.

Check Perry's Motorcycles & Sidecars in Fort Worth also.  http://perrysmotorcycles.com/
 He sells a kit that modifies the forks to the correct angle and setup.  It's made out of billet and is BMW specific.
Title: Re: ????Sidecar????
Post by: JDS on February 09, 2010, 10:44:47 AM
I'm not sure about this sidecar stuff. might look good on your R90

I'm thinking I cut the top of the body at the pin stripe line and make a custom lid. that I can mount my surfboards.
Title: Re: ????Sidecar????
Post by: R65LUST on February 09, 2010, 10:49:50 AM
     Cool.  Sidecars are fun.  Weird.  Challenging.  Potentially lethal. Do some research on how to hook it up right, as well as how to ride it. (I know this is what you're doing now, duh, and I have none to share...I've just ridden a Ural a few times.)  Basically, you will be making an elegant but dangerous machine into an inelegant really dangerous one.
      Picture this:  You get the thing hooked up, and are putting down the road.  When you brake, the car tries to pass you, and you sorta swerve left.  Accelerate, and you swerve right.  You are just coming to grips with this, when a squirrel jumps in front of you.  You instinctively brake, and swerve into an oncoming bus.   :o     Look here to start: http://www.hackpilot.com/sidecars.htm
Title: Re: ????Sidecar????
Post by: JDS on February 09, 2010, 11:55:16 AM
Quote
Basically, you will be making an elegant but dangerous machine into an inelegant really dangerous one.
 Picture this:You get the thing hooked up, and are putting down the road.When you brake, the car tries to pass you, and you sorta swerve left.Accelerate, and you swerve right.You are just coming to grips with this, when a squirrel jumps in front of you.You instinctively brake, and swerve into an oncoming bus

It already scares me to look at it. maybe I should just add a wheel to the other side, put a hitch on front. sure makes me feel safer.
Title: Re: ????Sidecar????
Post by: azcycle on February 09, 2010, 12:02:38 PM
Looks interesting!  Reminds me that there is some sort of fiberglass sidecar body out at my father in laws property. I'll have to see if I can find anything else about it. ;)

Don't think I'd ever attempt to drive/ride a sidecar rig.
Title: Re: ????Sidecar????
Post by: Bengt_Phorqs on February 09, 2010, 12:25:46 PM
Interesting comments.  Maybe I should just stick to playing with my Daisy Red Ryder BB gun!   ;D ;D

But seriously, you do need to learn how to ride it.  It isn't a car and it isn't a m/c but they sure are fun, and isn't that why most of us ride?  My second ever bike was a 1963 Jawa CZ 350cc 2 stroke with a sidecar.  What a trip that was.

Keep us posted on your project.  You could refurb it into a woody for the surf boards.  Now that would be cool looking!
Title: Re: ????Sidecar????
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on February 09, 2010, 01:27:24 PM
Sidecar rigs ARE A BLAST!  (Once you hack, you never go back!)
In the mid-80's, I built a conversion rig out of a early '60's /2 that already had a car on it, but with a blown engine.
I put a R100S engine in .  It worked out well.


I have never seen that particular model car before.  You might want to think twice (and show it around some sidecar forums) before you take the knife to it.

If all you want to do is use it for cargo, consider removing the body from the frame, and building up your own.


And I am a sidecar-building snob.  I would never consider using any /5 or later frame for sidecar use.  The Earles-framed bikes are so perfect for the job.
It is easy to "fly" the sidecar in a curve in which the sidecar is attached (left side in the British "empire"), but I really impressed myself when I found I could pull up the sidecar in a R-H curve (USA), and keep it up and go through the following L-H curve in a 'S' curve!
Once it is up on two wheel, the bike behaves as a normal two-wheeler (counter-steering), albeit with some weight hanging off the side!  Very controllable.

AND A FRIGGING BLAST IN THE SNOW!  :D
Title: Re: ????Sidecar????
Post by: JDS on February 09, 2010, 02:16:33 PM
its 6'6" long from the tip of the nose to the end of the cargo rack. doesn't look like it mounts to a R65 with out lots of welding.
Title: Re: ????Sidecar????
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on February 09, 2010, 04:39:31 PM
To be safe, the R65 frame will need substantial bracing, as well as adjustments to the rake/trail of the front end.

Give Perry's a call, in Texas.  He will give you the most accurate answer for putting a third wheel on your bike.
http://perrysmotorcycles.com/

Here is proof.  They built this R65 rig for one of our posters:

(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbase.com%2Ftomfarr%2Fimage%2F63132409%2Foriginal.jpg&hash=b391cd428fb52ec7bb80d6a7b296158da7a71a34) (http://www.pbase.com/tomfarr/scottys_sidecar_rig)
click for more pictures
Title: Re: ????Sidecar????
Post by: montmil on February 09, 2010, 05:54:09 PM
Quote
...Maybe I should just stick to playing with my Daisy Red Ryder BB gun!...

OK. Since no one else will chime in with the line from the movie "A Christmas Story", I will.

Bengt, You'll shoot your eye out. [smiley=rifle.gif]

Monte

And a PS: JDS, Just where do you surf in New Mexico? ;D Also noted your WTT in the Trading Post section; for swap already? Next time you've got an extra $500 laying around, please call me. I'm sure there's something in my shop that you just can't live without... for today.

I rather like the surfboard carrier idea... New Mexico, surfboards, tourist chicks... it could work. [smiley=thumbsup.gif]
Title: Re: ????Sidecar????
Post by: scottyintex on February 09, 2010, 07:45:05 PM
Yep ...I concur with Bengt and Rob.........talk with Perry. He can set you up with some frame bracing......which you need and talk you through a lot of things. Sidecars are more stable that some will lead you to believe....even have some advantages over a solo cycle. The most important is that your much more visible day or night. Also, you will never drop it. A R65 can make a good sidecar rig... maybe a little bit under powered.  Also, a well set up rig will not pull during braking...a full panic stop on my cycle...will not pull.... but it is a tad bit longer.  Nor do I ever remember a pull when accelerating... But I am old, slow and don’t peel out. You can quickly learn how to handle the different feel of a sidecar rig.....and it is a total cool feeling. Try it.....you will like it. My six year old grand daughter was here last week and wanted a ride.........I took her...... we puttered around for a bit and I asked if she was ready to go home. “Noooooooooooo, Poppy this is awesome”, was the reply I got......made my day. Some people like sidecar rigs and some don’t...but I know there is going to be fight over mine when I drop dead.
      
Title: Re: ????Sidecar????
Post by: JDS on February 09, 2010, 11:36:29 PM
got some pictures on how the sidecar is fixed to the bike?




Title: Re: ????Sidecar????
Post by: Justin B. on February 10, 2010, 01:30:00 PM
It's really humorous to note Perry's total reversal of opinion about sidecars and "late model" Beemers!  I was going to buy a Vetter Terraplane for my then new '78 R100 and he talked me out of it.  He blasted the new frame and front suspension as being completely wrong/inadequate to be used with any kind of hack.  Of course, this was way back when he WAS BMW of Ft. Worth...
Title: Re: ????Sidecar????
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on February 10, 2010, 05:02:43 PM
Then he found out he can make just as much profit by reinforcing Type 247 frames to make them work!

I'm not saying they won't work, I just wouldn't want one for myself.

There are quite a few on the road!
Title: Re: ????Sidecar????
Post by: scottyintex on February 10, 2010, 05:33:08 PM
Yep...there are bunches on the road and have yet to meet anyone face to face that ever had a frame failure. My frame is reinforced...and I think it needs to be. However. I have been told it is over kill....met some who had unbraced cycles with sidecars for thousands of miles and many years....no problems.  I have had them look at my reinforcements with  envy and some with amusement. It just might be Perry figured a way to add a sidecar to the post /2 cycles that was safe.
Title: Re: ????Sidecar????
Post by: JDS on February 10, 2010, 09:06:15 PM
taking an a crack at designing one. I can start a group effort on another post if you guys what to try.
Title: Re: ????Sidecar????
Post by: JDS on February 10, 2010, 11:26:05 PM
little changes once I put a wheel on I relized the shock was dragging on the ground and had to raise the top mount and shorten the swing arm. I think the wheel and swingarm assembly should be adjustable to move forward or backwards, the toe would still be the same but might help on loading differently. but I'm guessing
Title: Re: ????Sidecar????
Post by: JDS on February 10, 2010, 11:34:35 PM
another side
Title: Re: ????Sidecar????
Post by: scottyintex on February 11, 2010, 08:07:46 AM
I would suggest that you attach the sidecar in four places. I think the standard Steib rig has three attachment points but mine has four. Some of the Cozy sidecars only have two.  I have pictures of mine ......a LS 200 with four attachments points. I also have pictures of a Steib 300 with four attachment points going on a R60/2. If you interested I can e mail them to you.
Title: Re: ????Sidecar????
Post by: JDS on February 11, 2010, 08:45:11 AM
Send any pictures it will help, the one I have here has 4 points connected. The front upper seems easy but I'm not sure on the back upper. this model is just a rough idea. when is't done I can come back and refine another. I'm going to try a piviting one also. But its just to hold the batteries on and electric motorcycle for TTXGP North America circuit. I need to submit race bike designs next month.
Title: Re: ????Sidecar????
Post by: scottyintex on February 11, 2010, 09:01:54 AM
Yep I have some pictures..give me you e mail adress so I don't flood this site. Send it to me in a personal message and I will dig them out and send them.
Title: Re: ????Sidecar????
Post by: Dizerens5 on February 11, 2010, 11:19:04 AM
Useless information dept: years ago in England when motorcycles were still primarily cheap transportation (1950s....) anyone who added a sidecar to his bike saw his insurance premium going down by 50% overnight. Not because the sidecar combination was safer (it wasn't) but because fitting the sidecar almost always meant he had got older, had acquired a wife and kids, and would ride much more safely. True enough in those days.
Title: Re: ????Sidecar????
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on February 11, 2010, 05:14:57 PM
Quote
Useless information dept: years ago in England when motorcycles were still primarily cheap transportation (1950s....) anyone who added a sidecar to his bike saw his insurance premium going down by 50% overnight. Not because the sidecar combination was safer (it wasn't) but because fitting the sidecar almost always meant he had got older, had acquired a wife and kids, and would ride much more safely. True enough in those days.


Not to mention (at least these days), sidecar rigs get A LOT more attention from the average cage driver.  Heck!  You may even get a mention in their cell-phone conversation! lol!
Title: Re: ????Sidecar????
Post by: bubby-joe on February 14, 2010, 11:29:23 PM
Quote
It's really humorous to note Perry's total reversal of opinion about sidecars and "late model" Beemers!  I was going to buy a Vetter Terraplane for my then new '78 R100 and he talked me out of it.  He blasted the new frame and front suspension as being completely wrong/inadequate to be used with any kind of hack.  Of course, this was way back when he WAS BMW of Ft. Worth...


Maybe he just tried it and it worked for him I'm in the process of building my own frame and suspension for my R-65 mostly for my fishing kayak and possible the wife but only if she's good.