dob@ihuxj.UUCP (Daniel M. O'Brien) (09/05/84)
I have raised my sights a little and am now aspiring for a HONDA SABRE (65 cu.in.?). And with all that power, why not use it to pull a sidecar? But alas, I know nothing about them. Driveability?, Safety?, Price?, Distributors?, etc...??? So, how about some discussion on this topic. Thanks. -- Daniel M. O'Brien AT&T Bell Laboratories IH 4A-258 Naperville, IL 60566 ....!ihuxj!dob
animal@ihuxq.UUCP (D. Starr) (09/07/84)
Newsgroups: net.cycle Subject: Re: Sidecars - Any recommendations? (Post to answers to net!) References: <675@ihuxj.UUCP> <DO NOT BITE TIRES WHILE MOTORCYCLE IS IN MOTION> According to U. S. Honda, sidecar recommendations can be summed up in a single word: "DON'T!" Check out the "Downtime Files" in the October issue of Road Rider for a discussion of what you can and can't put a sidecar on. If you don't get Road Rider (shame on you!) highlights follow: As far as they can tell, only two manufacturers currently build motorcycles which are designed for sidecar use. You can put a sidecar on a big Moto Guzzi (850 or 1000cc) without voiding the warranty; you can do the same on a big Harley-Davidson (take THAT, rice-burners!), and they will even sell you one as an option on some models (price: about $12K for bike and sidecar--ugh!). I somehow suspect that you would find the performance of both of these marques a bit disappointing. All Japanese manufacturers specifically recommend AGAINST adding a sidecar. The engineering people talk about side loading that the frame isn't made for; the legal eagles just say it voids the warranty. This applies to ALL models. The agency which certifies motor vehicles for safety in Germany has approved a couple of Japanese frames for sidecar use (I think the Gold Wing and the KZ1300), but only if the EML leading-link fork is installed on the bikes. On the other hand, a lot of people run sidecars on Japanese bikes without apparent mishap. I tend to doubt that the frame or forks will actually break if you put a hack on a Sabre; what's more likely is that the bike will handle "funny" (e. g., speed wobble or other lack of desire to go straight) when you take the sidecar off. Your best bet by a long shot is to talk to people who own sidecar rigs and see what kind of problems they experience. Try the United Sidecar Association (their address is in this month's AMA magazine [what? you're not an AMA member? Double shame on you!!]), or try going to Art's (aka Gee-Gee's, aka Highland House; Routes 22 and 41 in Highland Park, Ill.) on a Sunday morning. There are ususally a few hacks parked among the hundreds of other bikers for the tire-kicking services. Have fun, Dan Starr AMA No. 121989 Road Runners M. C.
mp@u1100a.UUCP (Mike A Pilla) (09/07/84)
It has been several years since I have "driven" a chair rig but I think the problems are still the same: 1) frame flex (the SABRE may have insufficient mounting stiffness) 2) gearing (need lots of low end power) 3) chair set-up Chair set-up depends upon the type of roads you'll ride; e.g. high crown, flat, etc. (this determines the amount of "lean-out" of the bike when on flat ground). Desired stability affects chair "toe-in" (this is the amount the sidecar wheel points towards the fron wheel -- Michael Pilla Bell Communications Research 201-981-7290 {ihnp4,allegra,pyuxww}!u1100a!mp
joe@zinfandel.UUCP (09/23/84)
sidecars... Hello. I want to discourage you from getting a sidecar. At the very least you should find a way to try driving one before paying for one. They were developed historically as ways to use an existing power source ( the bike ) to transport more cargo in an attempt to avoid the cost of a car. The result was and is a quirky, instable vehicle that takes a special totally un-bike-like riding technique to avoid tipping it over or even steering it. Misapplications of throttle or brakes can thwart your attempts to aim this creature owing to the offset of power delivery from the center of weight. The high center of gravity becomes crucial in its instability now that the bike can't lean. The frame was NOT DESIGNED to take the considerable side loads the side car gives it and usually warps the frame permanently. Have you ever tried riding a bicycle with training wheels since you learned to ride a bike? It's the same only worse. You'll get all the vulnerability of a bike with none of the manuverability. If you want the wind in your hair and capacity for grocery bags you would be better off with a small open topped sports car. A side car rig is a fun toy for a very few, but there are good reasons why you don't see any being used. They enjoy their most devoted following in England where the laws limit drivers of age sixteen to eighteen to motorcycles of small dis- placement and three-wheelers ( for some odd reason ). Sidecars were then so unsporty that they perhaps seemed no medium for teenage high jinks. After the war three wheeled "bikes" were quickly evolved to resemble cars as much as possible with full bodies, doors, windows etc. to capture the market of people to poor or young to own cars. Even today you can find these three wheeled cars in england ( mainly in motorcycle magazines ). Given man's competitive nature sidecar races began which are now the only reliable place to look to find side cars in use. You will note that racing side cars are as close to motorcycles as they are to cruise missiles, with car racing tires, formula 1 type bodies, and limited movement for the "monkey" or passenger. And don't forget that a sidecar handles radically differently when there is no passenger from when there is. You might try carrying sand bags. My sarcasm is only partly fun. I'm also trying to underline the inconvenience and danger in these cute historical anacronisms. Joe Weinstein