| Author | Message | ||
     Mikej |
Picked up an '82 Yamaha Maxim 650 over the weekend that had a sidecar attached. Was told the sidecar originally came on a scooter of some sort. On the ride home it pulled hard to the right and if I even let go of the handlebars with one hand at less than 5-10mph it wanted to go into a severe wobble tank slapper. Let's just say it was an interesting 30 mile ride home, not to mention the bike needs the carbs cleaned and other tune-up stuff from sitting for over a year, had to keep the choke on half or more and keep the rpm's up over 4,000 just to keep it running. Anyway, any input on how to measure sidecar geometry and setting one up for a bike would be appreciated. Even if it's just to tell me I can't or shouldn't use a scooter sidecar on a non-scooter bike. But the intended use is just side roads and gentle meanders along the rustic roads here on nice sunny days, and for giving grandkids rides sometimes. Thanks for any input. here are a few pics taken at night, I can post better pics next weekend if needed.        | ||
| Glitch |
Not that I know anything at all about side cars, my guess is that either the sidecar is lined up so it wants to go to the right, pulling the bike that way. Or, it's leaning so that it wants to go to the right, pulling the bike that direction, or both. I'd start out with trying to line everything up, make sure all the wheel bearings are on the up and up as well. I don't see why it wouldn't work with that bike, unless you can't adjust it's alignment. Congrats on the new rig! Once you get it all straightened out, the grandkids will be all over you for rides, I'm sure. What a great find!  You've probably already thought of all this I'm sure! | ||
| Grndskpr |
www.sidecar.com Lots of info and stuff Did you buy it or trade for it??? R | ||
| Glitch |
3.7megs http://www.sidecar.com/Files/SC%20Manual.pdf Pretty good stuff in here. | ||
| Mikej |
Bought it, or traded cash for it. Thanks for the links, off to download the pdf. | ||
| Bake |
Looks like some good resources there, my memories are that no 2 roads are crowned the same, mine handled different on every different road. I always thought it could be cured with hydralic cylinders on the mounting arms that could be activated while driving Eventually (2 seasons) I gave up on the "hack" becaus I didn't have the funds to have 2 street bikes and it toook the motorcycle feel from my bke. Have fun. | ||
| Rocketman |
Mike when I use to build Neval (Dneiper) rigs out of the crate, or join the chassis to any number of Japanese bikes, our measurements were pretty much what's in the sidecar.com pdf file for lean and toe. Always take into consideration the camber of the road surface you're most likely to frequent, and the general type of roads regularly traveled when making your finite settings. Great outfit you got there. I bet it's pretty scary sat in that chair. Find any volunteers yet, lol. Rocket | ||
| Mikej |
Thanks for the input. Only passengers so far were three 50pound bags of sand for ballast for the ride home.  | ||
| Rocketman |
Well I'm not volunteering but I would love a pic with you riding it on two wheels, perhaps with your mum in the chair. That's what I did to my mum once I'd got her in it. Of course she didn't think I was going to ride off with her at the time, let alone loft the chair up into the air. She stills laughs about that one even now, but I was young back then, lol. Rocket | ||
| Bluzm2 |
Very neat score Mike, I'm jealous! That thing should be a very good time. Brad |
