Sidecar....your thoughts

[luckyd20]

So originally was looking to build a cafe racer with my R65. I've also been in the market for a sidecar. I've researched it as much as I could on advrider so I know what I'm getting myself into. I just recently bought a Sputnik sidecar for a pretty sweet deal and was going to attach it to a different bike. Since I don't have cash lying around I figured why not throw it on the R65 so I can get some use out of it. The bike I was looking to pick up was the KLR 650. The research I did show it had a little less power than the r65 so I figured it'll workout quite well. What are your thoughts?

[nhmaf]

There have been a few folks who have put sidecars onto R65 bikes here, most notably scottyintex, who had a truly beautiful rig - you can search the forum to find posts and pics of his rig.   He has sold it and is now running another sidecar outfit with an R90/6 as the tug - there is a recent thread with that too.

I have a Sputnik in my garage right now - I am awaiting a subframe kit I ordered from Dauntless over in Washington state to mate it up with my 1978 R100/7.  I dont know if Scotty had a commercially built subframe on his R65 or not - the frames of the twinshock R65 are relatively stiff compared to the larger R80/R100 of the same time period.   I decided I wasnt going to risk overstressing anything so I went with the subframe kit and the /7 frame.

The R65 makes as much power or slightly more than a Ural, so Id expect that it could haul the sputnik OK.   Depending upon fairing/windshield usage, I'd expect that your top speed will probably be around 75 or so.   Gas mileage will probably drop into the mid 30s.

[luckyd20]

Thanks! I've been talking with Jay from Dauntless and he also suggested a subframe. Also said that the R65 shouldn't have too much of an issue. I just don't expect it to be a speed demon.

I was originally going to cafe the R65 but now I may look into converting it into a scrambler. Should be decent enough for fire roads. But once I get some experience with a hack and want something bigger like a Vstrom or even another airhead then I'll swap it over.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Rigs are a blast once you learn to ride them, and if you still like them after you do learn.
Some folks just can't get past the fact that it is no longer a motorcycle.

The front end needs tending to.  In the case of scottyintex' rig, his dealer made up special triple clamps to make it steer quicker.
That is O.K., but if I have another rig I will have nothing but leading link front forks.
The absolutely cheapest way to get them is to find a Ural bike and put a BMW drive train in it.
The next (?) cheapest is to find a /2 with a blown-up engine and do a "conversion" with a post 1970 engine (the more post, the better).
The best and most expensive way to set up the front end is just to buy a set of Unit Forks for whatever bike you have.
http://www.hedinghamsidecars.com/Unit-Leading-Link-Forks.php
I believe the rig in this picture has a Unit.

I hope you have deep pockets.

Also, general consensus is that any BMW frame post-1969 is not ideal for sidecar use.  At the very least look into frame bracing.  I think these generally run under the engine connecting both sides of the frame together.
And you want 4 mounting points - another reason the /2 frame is so attractive.


click on pic for larger

The bottom front mount is usually a special engine mount rod terminating with either a ball mount or a clevis - I forget which.

[Bengt_Phorqs]

Suggest you contact Perry Bushong at Perry's Motorcycles and Sidecars in Fort Worth, TX.  He is considered one of the USA's top experts in BMW sidecars.  As mentioned by others, prepare to start throwing some serious bucks at the bike if you want it done correctly.  Otherwise you can end up with a dangerous machine.

I've always like the idea of having a hack, in fact I did have one back in the early '70's.  My conclusion was to find one already set up correctly and buy that.  The R65 is pretty much perfection as designed so why not just keep it stock and enjoy it for what it is?

[EGRG]

Suggest you contact Perry Bushong at Perry's Motorcycles and Sidecars in Fort Worth, TX.  He is considered one of the USA's top experts in BMW sidecars.

Agree with Bengt.

Talk to Perry.

You must consider also your final drive ratio. Try the 32/9 that comes with the R65LS. It will give you some more grunt with less end speed  and higher engine revs to help you pull the extra weight of the sidecar.

[Bob_Roller]

I've been giving a sidecar a bit of thought, I routinely see a '70's something R60 with a side car at the grocery store that I patronize every week .

I can probably do 99.9 % of my weekly errands on a bike with a side car .

Weather co-operates here in Aridzona most of the year .