Info on sidecar mounting wanted

[Bob_W]

Help!
I am a new member and am hoping to restore a ten year stored basket case 65 and hang a hack on it.
Can a Cozy or Velorex mount with standard mounting hardware or do I need a subframe? I've read a little bit of everything on sidecar sites and others. I am not experienced with designing and building new frames and some of the installation information sounds like this is what I need to do.
Restoration will first require an empty spot in the shop, a light overhead and then remove everything in front, unload the bike from a truck and refill the shop. This morning it was 37 here on the coast and somehow I did not get motivated.
Thanks for the help
Bob

[montmil]

Calling Scotty in Texas! Scotty, you out there? Warn and/or help this new cat with his R65 side hack dreams.  

Monte

[nhmaf]

Bob - here are some links to well recommended sidecar dealers /installers that may also be helpful for you:

Claude Stanley Motorsports in Pennsylvania:
http://www.freedomsidecars.com/

The fellow who owns&operates Barrington Motorworks here in NH specializes in /2 and classic BMW restorations, but he also does sidecar setups:
http://www.barringtonmotorworks.com/

There is a dealer/installer up in Maine (but he is waay up there) in Howland - no website but I have some contact info for him somewhere.  He is a Dauntless dealer and sidecar installer/subframe fabricator.

Dauntless Motors is on the west coast, but are VERY expert in sidecar fitting on all bikes - one of their mechanics (I think his name is Jay) is very helpful.  The sell subframe kits for various bikes and sidecar combinations, etc.
http://www.dmcsidecars.com/

And of course. Scotty on this forum did everything himself on his R65 and can give you his first hand experience with a Cozy type chair.

I personally don't have a sidecar (yet) but am starting to get the ball rolling in that direction after having researched them for several years now.   I hope to pick up an R100 soon to use as the "tug"..  I think an R65 would work OK as long as you don't expect it to be cruising on the interstate at 70+ MPH.   It might do it if you aren't up in the mtns or fighting a headwind, but will be working to do it.

Also, recommend that you join the forum at:
www.sidecar.com
And buy a copy of what they call "The Yellow Book", that is titled "Driving a Sidecar outfit" - lots of useful info.

[scottyintex]

 Â I really think you need to reinforce the frame. Sub frames are not all that expensive and better safe that sorry. However, I have run into guys that have been hauling a sidecar for years without one and have had no problems.  I would not be without one. My sidecar car weighs about the same as a Velorex...165 pounds. Try www.dmcsidecars.com or www.perrysmotorcycles.com both have kits you can add. Or you can make your own, would be glad to send pictures of mine......which was done by Perry’s.
      Another thing to consider is modifying  the steering geometry with a leading link or modified triple tree. This is where it can get expensive. I would first try the sidecar rig with standard steering. Then if it proves ........to be hard..... modify the steering. Adding a leading link or special triple tree is like adding power steering.....it does make a difference. Mine has a modified triple tree. But again I would not be without one or the other.
      I have had my sidecar about 4 years now..10,000 miles or so. I have not had any problems with the cycle. I just went over it the other day making sure bolts were tight.....looking for stress cracks..........no problems at all with the cycle. I can’t find where carrying the sidecar has had any kind of a adverse effect on the bike.... other than slowing it down. It will slow you down.
       The sidecar is another story. I have a Steib tub riding in a shop made cradle. I got stress cracks in the sidecar on every bolt hole. So, welded  3/16 steel plate strips, about 6 inches wide, where things were bolted down. Damn if I didn’t start getting stress cracks just beyond the steel plates.
      My best guess is the cradle needed to be made from stronger.....thicker steel. I think the frame flexes and the sheet metal of the sidecar is way to thin to handle any flexing.
      So, I am getting ready to do some major reinforcing to both cradle and bottom of the sidecar. Whatever sidecar you decided to go with.....use their frame and tub....don’t mix. If you make you own.........is better to err with stronger...... rather than lighter. I love my sidecar rig....it is so much fun, versatile. I haul dogs, grand kids and they all love it. It is my errand runner. You will love it I think.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

I have a Steib tub riding in a shop made cradle.

I was always under the impression that you had a Cozy sidecar!

http://www.cyclesidecar.com/showroom/euro.html

[scottyintex]

Well, there is a reason you thought it was a Cozy. The whole sidecar thing started when I mess up the throttle on my R65 and could not get it right. So, I took it to Perry in Fort Worth to fix it. Took him all of about 10 minutes to put it right. We are sitting there just after he closed the shop....drinking a beer. Perry says.....”let’s put a sidecar on it.” At first I wasn’t too warm to the idea. Then he showed me several he had just finished....I started drooling.  Second or maybe the third beer I started warming to the idea. Perry starts dragging parts over to my cycle. A tub....painted in gray primer.......no name on it. A luggage rack off a Velorex, a front bumper off a Steib, a snow flake wheel off a wrecked R65. We lay the whole thing out.  Some where in there I was sold on the idea......and said do it.
      My wife won’t let me go to Perry’s by myself any more.

Anyway,  my invoice say it is a Cozy. I tell everyone it is a Cozy. A year later at the Harvest Classic Rally..... Perry and I are standing there talking....someone asked what kind of sidecar. I say Cozy. Perry says no, it is a Steib. I remind him of the invoice. Perry says the invoice is not correct it is a Steib and starts pointing out the subtle differences between a Cozy and a Steib. So, I have a Steib......maybe. I added a Cozy side bumper last year, that makes it look more like a Cozy.  I love that sidecar rig....would do it all over again in a second. It runs good, handles well....perfect urban cycle..which is where I ride.

[Justin B.]

Perry's tune sure has changed since the early days.  I bought a new 1978 R100/7 and had planned on installing a Vetter Terraplane hack and Perry gave me a big sermon about how post Earls forks bikes were unsuitable for sidecars, too flimsy frame, bike would fall apart, etc...