Adding a Chair

[tripodtiger]

I've forgotten how to embed here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkyBpxlgx7E&feature=share&list=UU-VYYKyipNrG1uxV3CL2LvA

There is a WHOLE lot more to riding a sidecar than just steering.  The video is shown from the rider and the passengers positions.  Yep, bit different to riding on a bitumen road but, this simply adds emphasis to the requirement to move on the sidecar, especially if you're the nut holding the 'bars.


Sidecars do not stay vertical unless, that is, you are riding around like a pussy.  They roll around the longitudinal axis, but not like a car, because they are assymetric.

To steer the sidecar, depending on the surface, camber, gradient, speed etc, I use steering, throttle, brakes and body position.
It's a real work out AND a real challenge.

This solo riding stuff is for when I'm being lazy.

There are a few other sidecar videos in my channel that show a few different perspectives.  When watching you need to consider the camera position relative to the steering head.  Watch how much the body moves away from the centre line of the bike at various times.

Of course, that's not riding one.

Sidecars - highly recommended.

On learning - I vividly recall the first time I went for a trip with the first XS11 based outfit.  I hated it for the first 100 miles - because I was trying to ride it as fast as I would ride the XS solo.  I got into some traffic, that brought speed down, and discovered how fantastic it is.

An outfit is slower than a solo.
You'll chew petrol at the same rate as a car.
You'll probably chew tyres at 2 or 3 times the rate of a solo
You'll get very well developed shoulders.
Tell anybody that wants you to carry their gear to piss off and buy their own sidecar, unless your being nice for a change (sorry, just thinking about me)

[tripodtiger]

One of the blokes you must speak with is Phil Duffy.  He's a Victorian who is one of the best tech heads regarding sidecars in Oz. 
You could find him via the Monarchs, probably.
The other, who has built my last two, doesn't want to build any more past the one he's now doing for himself.  However, he is probably the go to man for a leading link.

You can do it cheaply.  That will equal trouble.  Either in the short term or the long terms.  But it will still equal trouble.

I strongly recommend two bikes.  Been there, done that.

gotta go, no time to type.

[Fred]

Thanks guys, all input welcome.

I can see a learning curve if you suddenly need to come off or on the power half way through a tight corner

Tim check your emails.

Thanks.

[Tim]

 

STEERING A SIDECAR
One must first realize that there is a marked difference between riding solo and sidecar riding. Practice is necessary to develop a good and safe sidecar driver. The word driver is important since one drives a sidecar outfit, while one rides a solo machine. Techniques in cornering and steering must be developed by the novice driver. These two points are the main difference between solo riding and sidecar driving. Cornering and steering are easily mastered since the problem of balance during solo riding is eliminated.

At speed, a solo machine negotiates a turn by a slight movement of the handlebars and occasionally a shifting in body weight. When a sidecar outfit is driven, the machine is vertical to the road surface at all times.

A sidecar is steered and cornered solely by moving the handlebars either to the right or left. See the illustration below:
 



This means there is a considerable amount of handlebar movement depending on the sharpness of the turn. This conscious need to drive the sidecar outfit by considerable handlebar movement is the main difficulty solo riders encounter.

Because of this difference in turning it is necessary for even the experienced solo rider to be aware of the need to steer the sidecar outfit. If one does not concentrate on this point, an accident could occur because the driver was not able to negotiate a turn or avoid an obstacle.

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With standard telescopic forks See the illustration below:



Motorcycle mfg.'s design these forks for two wheel stability. Leaning into a turn and self-centering action. It is combined effects of a number of things, one of them is TRAIL.
What happens when you attach a sidecar to a motorcycle? It will no longer handle like it was designed to do (no leaning into the turns). Now it must be steered.

Is it unsafe? NO. Here's what happens. The faster and harder you drive into the turns, the more pressure you need to apply on the handle bars. What is the solution to this problem?

ANSWER: Reduce the TRAIL. This is accomplished by installing The Unit Leading Link Fork. See illustration below:



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Ahh, Yes! Effortless. Just like power steering.
Utilizing the machine's existing yokes, substantial twin walled legs are allied to a fully braced swinging fork, pivoted on four sealed ball races and including caliper
 
 

[Tim]

oww the bug bites lol
like steptoe says the law dosnt bother  with rigs  they see them as an oddity lol  so you'll basicly be left alone and you get instant respect on the road , because of the size of the out fit
as for the physics of the rig they are something else
the leading link front end is a must have, as for the set up  take the time to think and plan it out you just can put it together in an afternoon
I've seen the results of a thrown together rig
the frame geometery  ,talk to some one who knows  their business  ,you'l hear tales of head shake at low speed   thats a frame tweak cure,  brake set up is important 
and conering technique  is an art  ie right handers   on and off the power  left handers can be deadly   i could babble on for ages

ive collected a shirt load of info  shoot me and email and il sent you the side car bible 
if you do go for a  side car  rig you'l wonder why you waited so long lol

[steptoe]

the first thing you,ll notice once the chair is on,the law leave you alone, ,,they suddenly see a fella out for a cruise,
 {our local "evil Knievel" even started waving to me}

if the mounts are set up right,, {all brackets have to be bolted, not welded to the frame}, don,t know about down there but welded is highly frowned upon up here,, mine used to come off in 5 mins with 4 bolts

as for leading links, the easiest explaination is they move the wheel centre further forward of the centre of head stem, basicly giving you power steering, don,t just "slap" on together, there's a bit in setting one up,

cornering by throttle is just that, backing off and powering on will push and pull the outfit , because of the drag the side wheel creates as a rolling tyre

that about it put really simply

[Fred]

Well guys I'm not saying I'm getting old or past it for two wheels but on some of those long runs and when when I want to carry some creature comforts for overnighters an extra tyre and boot to load up would be welcome.

Now I know there are quite a few out there already, so some thoughts from you would be most welcome.

Firstly, once set up for a chair is it an easy strip down (Is there extra crap welded or just bolted on?), for a day run again on two wheels or is the best option to have two bikes.

Also, why are there some with leading links and some not?

Can someone please give me an easy explanation of the advantages of the leading link, eg what differs in the basic geometry of the steering.

Lastly (for now ), what is meant by "Cornering by use of the throttle"?