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Next Project

 
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bmcsheehy



Joined: 22 Jan 2005
Posts: 991
Location: Massachusetts USA

PostPosted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 6:06 pm    Post subject: Next Project Reply with quote

Well the steering damper works well.
Now I am starting to replace the steering arm on my CHS.
Use to use two tie rod ends, worked O.K. but my fender is mounted to the steering arm, and because the tie rods are spring loaded, the fender can move from side to side.
Not a problem unless you are pushing and pulling the fender while you're driving. Not something I use to do.
I am replacing with a more traditional ball bearing setup.


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Bill
High Performance Sidecaring... ...There is nothing "HACKED" about it.
2006 ZX-14 / HANNIGAN HP.
2011 Concourse / California Friendship III.
2016 Suzuki Bandit 1250s
1936 Ford Fordoor Humpback
www.Yankee-Engineering.com
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IanJ



Joined: 21 Jul 2005
Posts: 52
Location: Seattle, WA, USA

PostPosted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 8:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Do you have any information posted (other than the big gallery of front-end pics) on your design? I'm interested to know things like how you are making the various bits (bending tube, milling brackets, etc.), materials you're using, things like that.

I don't have anywhere near the facilities to do this, but some day, I'd like to build a sidecar frame, including CHS on a double A-arm like the RUKO design. I find that I'm interested in how other folks are doing it. Your design is quite cool, I'd never seen a steering system like that before.
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bmcsheehy



Joined: 22 Jan 2005
Posts: 991
Location: Massachusetts USA

PostPosted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 8:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bill Ballou deserves a lot of the credit for the design.
We are only a few miles from each other and have been friends for a long time. Buddies
As far as the fabrication, I purchased a tubing bender and obtained a tig welder, just for this project.
Needed to teach my self how to weld.
I run a 30 man machine shop and have access to a lot of machinery, CNC and manual turning and milling, etc.
All just mild steel tubing. Lots and lot of hours.
It was a lot of fun building and I do plan on building something else someday. Wink
Waiting for Honda to come up with another super bike to compete against Kawasaki’s ZX14.
Motorcycle Happy
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Bill
High Performance Sidecaring... ...There is nothing "HACKED" about it.
2006 ZX-14 / HANNIGAN HP.
2011 Concourse / California Friendship III.
2016 Suzuki Bandit 1250s
1936 Ford Fordoor Humpback
www.Yankee-Engineering.com
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IanJ



Joined: 21 Jul 2005
Posts: 52
Location: Seattle, WA, USA

PostPosted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 11:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
I run a 30 man machine shop


That would help a little, wouldn't it. Wink

Are you using mild steel for the brake caliper bracket? Have you used any computer modelling or FEA to determine the best shapes or where to relieve things?

One of the things which would concern me (perhaps unnecessarily -- I have no formal ME training... yet) would be the strength of components like brake caliper mounts, suspension stress points (mounting bearings, shock/spring attach points) and the like.[/quote]
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bmcsheehy



Joined: 22 Jan 2005
Posts: 991
Location: Massachusetts USA

PostPosted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 11:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yankee Engineering.
Yes, I do use AutoCAD to aid in the design. It’s a lot easier to change something with a mouse than a file or grinder.
I too have no formal engineering training but the big auto manufacturers do have a lot of Mechanical engineers.
So, I have used as many automotive components as possible. If it’s strong enough for a 3000 lb or up car, it should be strong enough for what we are doing.
I think that everything I have built for this project is overkill, as far as strength is concerned. So then I tried to make it appealing to look at.
Example; Upper and lower control arms on a car are usually just stamped sheet metal.
Mine are heavy wall DOM steel tubing gusseted and welded.
The part where the ball joint mounts is ½ thick steel plate.
The ball joints are the weakest link and will give way long before any of this stuff.
Yes everything I used to build this project was low carbon steel. When you weld it together, you don’t have to worry about it becoming hard and brittle.
I am fortunate enough to have friends that have been doing this for a lot of years and the knowledge they have accumulated is invaluable. (people on this forum)
Everything that I am using has been tested and proven to work.
You do need to have a lot of faith in your fabrication skills. Your life depends on it.
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Bill
High Performance Sidecaring... ...There is nothing "HACKED" about it.
2006 ZX-14 / HANNIGAN HP.
2011 Concourse / California Friendship III.
2016 Suzuki Bandit 1250s
1936 Ford Fordoor Humpback
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Ralph



Joined: 27 Jan 2005
Posts: 603
Location: Lexington, Ky

PostPosted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 12:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

"the knowledge they have accumulated is invaluable. (people on this forum) Big Grin Thanks Bill Big Grin
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bmcsheehy



Joined: 22 Jan 2005
Posts: 991
Location: Massachusetts USA

PostPosted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 12:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I do what I can.
Wink
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Bill
High Performance Sidecaring... ...There is nothing "HACKED" about it.
2006 ZX-14 / HANNIGAN HP.
2011 Concourse / California Friendship III.
2016 Suzuki Bandit 1250s
1936 Ford Fordoor Humpback
www.Yankee-Engineering.com
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docmike



Joined: 27 Jan 2005
Posts: 630
Location: Eastern NC

PostPosted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 1:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bill,

Just curious why you went with the dual tie rod ends instead of the "traditional ball bearing setup"?

Mike
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bmcsheehy



Joined: 22 Jan 2005
Posts: 991
Location: Massachusetts USA

PostPosted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 2:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Just to be different, Easier to make.
Trying something new.
I don't know.
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Bill
High Performance Sidecaring... ...There is nothing "HACKED" about it.
2006 ZX-14 / HANNIGAN HP.
2011 Concourse / California Friendship III.
2016 Suzuki Bandit 1250s
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docmike



Joined: 27 Jan 2005
Posts: 630
Location: Eastern NC

PostPosted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 6:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I thought maybe it was to confuse people when they looked at the pictures on your web site.

It took me longer than I care to admit to figure out why there were two tie rod ends.

Question Big Grin Laughing Embarassed Question Big Grin Laughing Embarassed
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bmcsheehy



Joined: 22 Jan 2005
Posts: 991
Location: Massachusetts USA

PostPosted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 1:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Just finished up the new steering assembly.

This was the old one. Sad



This is the new one. Big Grin



I also made a new arm that comes down from the handle bars. Not sure what you call this piece.
Just need to mount the fender now and have it all powder coated. Under Construction
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Bill
High Performance Sidecaring... ...There is nothing "HACKED" about it.
2006 ZX-14 / HANNIGAN HP.
2011 Concourse / California Friendship III.
2016 Suzuki Bandit 1250s
1936 Ford Fordoor Humpback
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Bandit Bill



Joined: 31 Jan 2005
Posts: 202
Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

PostPosted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 3:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

IanJ wrote:



One of the things which would concern me (perhaps unnecessarily -- I have no formal ME training... yet) would be the strength of components like brake caliper mounts, suspension stress points (mounting bearings, shock/spring attach points) and the like.


I'm not near the mechanical propellor-beanie genius level that the center hub guys are at, but i'm trying to work at it.. Smile I've got zip, zero, nada mechanical training - I'm in social services by training and profession.

I've had a bike of some sort or another for 17 years in various states of disrepair and bitsa, and basically have been learning from there - I concentrate on learning/plagerizing/downright stealing the best ideas i find out there floating on the web, or in the junkyards. Without the advice, and the availability of this site, and other sidecar lists to tap the accumilated knowlege, I wouldn't even consider some of the stuff i've done, or am doing the past few years with my FrankenBandit.

I concentrate on 'when in doubt, build it strong'. Somehow or other, everything i produce to date is built like a brick-shithouse, and fortunately is as functional and strong as one, but definitely lacking in style .. unless you count 'road warrior heavy and durable' as a style.. I rely on the machine/welding shop to advise on material choice when i'm in doubt.

Looking good Bill, don't mean to hijack the thread... the front end is looking clean.
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IanJ



Joined: 21 Jul 2005
Posts: 52
Location: Seattle, WA, USA

PostPosted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 6:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Re lack of training -- I'm not that worried, I seem to have "engineer brain." However, that same condition makes me hesitant to tackle anything with a high danger or failure potential, like a suspension or braking component. I guess I'll continue my tactic of doing what I'm comfortable with, and seeking expert advice for what I'm not. I continue to surprise myself with what I am able to do, if I just sit down and do it.

Bill, I remain impressed with your front end arrangement. I wish I had a workspace big enough (and packed with enough machine tools and welding equipment) to consider doing projects like that.
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bmcsheehy



Joined: 22 Jan 2005
Posts: 991
Location: Massachusetts USA

PostPosted: Fri Nov 25, 2005 9:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

This project is now finished. ...or are you just happy to see me?



Much better Big Grin
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Bill
High Performance Sidecaring... ...There is nothing "HACKED" about it.
2006 ZX-14 / HANNIGAN HP.
2011 Concourse / California Friendship III.
2016 Suzuki Bandit 1250s
1936 Ford Fordoor Humpback
www.Yankee-Engineering.com
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Ralph



Joined: 27 Jan 2005
Posts: 603
Location: Lexington, Ky

PostPosted: Sat Nov 26, 2005 1:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

clean Cool
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