The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2
General Category => Chit-Chat => Topic started by: Mainerider on August 09, 2015, 04:52:56 PM
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I'd like to make my '81 R65 into a sidecar rig. I can get a Cozy for $3,300 from a local dealer. I've also been looking at Craigslist with no luck. What about www.rtsidecars.com ? Any info on them?
I know BMW doesn't recommend this but I also know others have done it anyway. If I get one of these kits I'd need to fab up a subframe, right?
Any help would be much appreciated. The occupant of the 'car would mostly be my best friend Trevor:
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi146.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr241%2Fbauerdad%2F2012%2520pics%2Fdf5fec5b60c071cb138a9fe578d1ed20.jpg&hash=fbc8e2114def23c047281349764d3f2939456ff6)
Steven
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I turned my R65LS into a cafe'd R65 and then turned it into a sidecar tug by adding a Velorex 562 that I found on Craigslist where I live. The car is small enough and light enough the bike has no problem handling it.
It was touch and go at first as I had no idea what I was doing but I got a lot of help from members on here and the United Sidecar Association. http://sidecar.com/ . They also have a great forum full of people that have been doing this for years.
Mine has become my go-to vehicle for around town. I don't know if I would take it cross country since it still sports the single saddle and bump stop from its cafe days but weekend camping trips are great. No more having to decide what will fit when packing. Just throw it all in.
It makes a great grocery getter.
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Here is a list of some web resources that might be helpful. Best advice I got was going to a local BMW rally and talking to anyone who showed up in a sidecar rig. Biggest thing to think about is it will no longer be a motorcycle or act like a motorcycle. It involves learning an entire new way of "driving" a sidecar rig.
http://bmwmotorcycletech.info/sidecartech.htm
http://bikerodnkustom4.homestead.com/sidecar_geometry_watson.html
http://www.airheads.org/technical-tips-articlesmenu-98/161-putting-a-sidecar-on-your-airhead-rev-by-author-12-06-2007
http://www.velorexusa.com/
http://www.dmcsidecars.com/products/
http://www.warkshop.com/sidecarinstall.html
http://www.simplysidecars.co.uk/fittingguide.html
http://f2mcltd.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-to-fit-sidecar.html
http://www.haulnride.com/hack_sidecars.html
http://www.velorexusa.com/Instruction_pdf/install_instructions.pdf
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Thanks, Marc, those look like some great links. I've got lots of research to do and that's where I'll start.
I'll keep an eye out on Craigslist, too. The other day I saw a non running Goldwing with a Velorex listed for $600. The listing was just three hours old - but when I called the guy said it had sold in 20 minutes.
Steven
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Hey - check this out -
http://maine.craigslist.org/mcy/5141723623.html
For $4500, you could get a fully setup rig ready to roll!
All that I've heard about the cozy sidecars seems to indicate that they are REALLY lightly built. We had a member here who put one on his R65, but had to do quite alot of frame strengthening end reinforcement to get it to stay together well on a 'big' R65 as compared to a single cylinder 350cc engfield that they seem to be designed for.. The recent Velorex units, especially the heavier 565 like in this post, I think would be a better fit. I bought a 2000 Sputnik car that I'm fitting to my R100 - once I get the R100 to a point where it is reliable and stops leaking, that is...
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Plus 1 on what Marcmax said. Riding with a sidecar is like having to learn how to ride all over again. I put an old Cozy on my Triumph Speed Twin. It was something of a chore to ride and I ended up taking it off and selling it for more floor space. A bike with a sidecar doesn't take up quite as much room as a car but way more room than a bike. Good luck and post pictures. Here is a video of my first ride.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Cs97U86TKQ
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Didn't look like you had much rear wheel lead on that setup David?
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I've found a couple of candidates on Craigslist, both Velorex's. I've also found a NOS Sputnik with custom mounting hardware for $3000 but extra for crating and shipping. I'll decide after I take a look at the Velorex's.
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So this little thing found its way to my driveway this morning:
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi146.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr241%2Fbauerdad%2F2015%2520pics%2F41C7A88F-BECF-4707-9B01-CFEBA982BFA7_zpsqzwwwhyx.jpg&hash=79d10f2c246617e9cf9693f8626c44eec975e296)
I'd love to see some close up pictures of how you mounted yours Marc.
This one is an '81, the same year as my r65. It came with the tall windscreen, too, and a couple of covers.
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That is awesome! I will get out tomorrow and take some pics of how mine is mounted for you. Trevpr is going to love it!
Here is a pic of how mine arrived in my driveway.
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Here's the other one I was looking at:
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi146.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr241%2Fbauerdad%2F2015%2520pics%2F01AEC91E-88A7-40ED-BE06-A39CCBF8131D_zpspy62pr8o.jpg&hash=3dae9f18dfe5fd6d9adca1e6ac7ed70acdc188db)
It's beautiful but a thousand bucks more than the one I got.
I'm away for the weekend so I won't be able to mess with it until next week.
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Here are some pics I just took in the driveway along with some that were sent to me by a former forum member, ScottyinTex. He had his set up by Perry's Motorcycles and Sidecars in Ft Worth, TX.
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More pics
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Wow! Great pics. I'll probably have lots of questions when I get back home and start getting in to it. Thanks so much.
Steven
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I haven't had a chance to do much with the Velorex yet, but I did find this video from a few years ago:
http://youtu.be/YwcDpM5_khU
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I am following this thread closely as a sidecar option seems to be an obvious choice for me.
If anyone ran across Peter Burke and Barley his ADV dog buddy, Barley is in trouble with cancer and may or may not be hanging in there. I have to check this a.m. Peter attends all the BMW Nationals and attracts a lot of attention...Barley does i.e. .....excuse me, Barley!!
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I'd like to make my '81 R65 into a sidecar rig. I can get a Cozy for $3,300 from a local dealer. I've also been looking at Craigslist with no luck. What about www.rtsidecars.com ? Any info on them?
I know BMW doesn't recommend this but I also know others have done it anyway. If I get one of these kits I'd need to fab up a subframe, right?
Any help would be much appreciated. The occupant of the 'car would mostly be my best friend Trevor:
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi146.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr241%2Fbauerdad%2F2012%2520pics%2Fdf5fec5b60c071cb138a9fe578d1ed20.jpg&hash=fbc8e2114def23c047281349764d3f2939456ff6)
Steven
I'd be real careful attaching any high rear mount from car to tug, the rear subframe is held on with only 4 very small bolts and nuts. I looked long and hard at the DMC frame option and they have a rear mount setup that crosses under the frame on the main tubes then is swept back and up to pickup the high rear down to the car adds strength to the rear subframe its a better option than just using the rear subframe alone that only holds the shock/shocks in line with the frame and has very little lateral strength part of the reason cars not recomended is the flimsy subframe assembly. My home built frame is waiting for a better rear high mount option or a different tug.
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I managed to get the Velorex mounted to the R65. It's not perfect but will serve for the next month or so of riding until winter really sets in. I've just ridden around the neighborhood so far but will get out some more when the forecasted rains end. I even took my wife out for a spin and Trevor jumped right in her lap and came along, too.
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi146.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr241%2Fbauerdad%2Fdab24d9ad62890308c11df48fe765972_zps3ocwmpy9.jpg&hash=669d72f3f28757be161eac0bbbb5da27d58fbf4e)
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi146.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr241%2Fbauerdad%2F47bf8d4d244021ed47c6768a97951a43_zpsgrbrnjwj.jpg&hash=2ac0c939a2ff8ad9e80129be4f12bc082a1f653a)
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I took Trevor to the farmer's market this morning. Then on a couple of other errands. He seemed to be having a great time. He didn't try to jump out, just wanted to keep an eye on his moma as she rode her scoot along with us. We need to get him some Doggles, I kept the speed down today but maybe he's ready to go a bit faster. Also a better photographer.
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi146.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr241%2Fbauerdad%2F2015%2520pics%2Fimage_zpsu3wqhcb5.png&hash=9b3e2d8fd6ab05a435f0fa242bac0abe1bde84ee)
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Nice job! You will have a lot of fun with it. I am very happy with mine and think the R65 makes a fine tug. The only problem I see in your future is it looks like Trevor has laid claim to the chair. You can tell he thinks that IS HIS!
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He's trying to look cool and reserved here:
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi146.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr241%2Fbauerdad%2F040c70c59b16ededf08efe508cbbe9ec_zpstwnrcv33.jpg&hash=14302c4c7cdca869e1da144315a9f80a4599bbf6)
Then he slips and let's out a huge grin:
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi146.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr241%2Fbauerdad%2Ff6c20a4e2c145197ecfb53e95730d9d5_zpspsnnoxkm.jpg&hash=ed347d04f138572e35a6c499ff1886d6f1306133)
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An update on my sidecar rig. I wasn't totally happy with the way I mounted the car last year so I ordered the subframe mounting kit from DMC in Wasington state. They are fabricating it now and I hope to have it here in a week or two. More then.
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You will be pleased with the DMC stuff from Jay and the gang - it is well made and will be the strongest steel tubing on the entire motorcycle by far once it is installed.
They've been doing this for so many years - you can trust what they say
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I took that photograph of Scotty at Perry's where he was trading in his R65 rig for a larger Airhead to be outfitted with a car. Scotty was having issues with the R65 car's attach fittings breaking. His new ride, after all the rehab, paint, car attachment and unexpected delays took over a year before delivery. Scotty still prowls the streets of Marble Falls, Texas, and the Hill Country. You might find him enjoying the pies at Bluebonnet Cafe. We always stop for pie on our trips.
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Always gotta make time for pie!
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It just made me feel good today to see Trevor in the car with red doggles! Hope everyone has had a healthy on/off season depending where you live. I seem to be having some trouble working up enthusiasm this season but the garden has called and provided much healthy solace too. I think my problem is that I am rushing the season but those sidecar ideas and camping just sounds so attractive. Everything in its time...
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Trevor has been for his first ride of the season!
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi146.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr241%2Fbauerdad%2F2016%2F6915d9c9a326352c86d772707e6b2901_zps5hpf5rl6.jpg&hash=9f39557fc1074d8c3a71c968e30b89a319bfde0e)
I'm very happy with the mounting kit from DMC. The car seems more secure than last year when it just had the universal frame clamp fittings.
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi146.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr241%2Fbauerdad%2F2016%2F94229BC8-D8A0-4B73-9627-33E749C7BC2D_zpsjrsctv9d.jpg&hash=f38252c2935d000c116ecca1ac44cfb6bb1561a3)
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi146.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr241%2Fbauerdad%2F2016%2F77A1BC75-B401-47A7-9889-1CAF0BAEBE4E_zpsb576ogua.jpg&hash=3aeb0ca5921aadbaffffdc07c355778cb9efa1f4)
Can you spot the collateral damage?
Steven
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What is the distance between rear wheels (width) on your setup? How much sidecar wheel lead (sidecar axle ahead of rear wheel axle)?
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I'll get those measurements in the morning. The cover didn't even come off today.
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I measured the rig this morning. The covers were on so they are not super accurate but there is 46" between the rear and 'car tires. The lead is about 12", maybe a bit less. I haven't had it to highway speeds yet but up to 50 or so it seems fine.