Sidecar help

[suecanada]

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!!

[bubby-joe]

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:



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.

[Mainerider]

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.

[Mainerider]

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.  

[marcmax]

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!

[Mainerider]

He's trying to look cool and reserved here:


Then he slips and let's out a huge grin:

[Mainerider]

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.

[nhmaf]

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

[montmil]

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.

[nhmaf]

Always gotta make time for pie!

[suecanada]

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...

[Mainerider]

Trevor has been for his first ride of the season!




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.  







Can you spot the collateral damage?

Steven

[nhmaf]

What is the distance between rear wheels (width) on your setup?   How much sidecar wheel lead (sidecar axle ahead of rear wheel axle)?

[Mainerider]

I'll get those measurements in the morning. The cover didn't even come off today.

[Mainerider]

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.