An international forum for people interested in modern high performance road going sidecars.

sidecarkeith · Joined: 06 Jan 2007 Posts: 336 Location: yorkshire uk

Okay here the idea,

If I move the sidecar 6" closer to the bike, would it effect the handling or balance ?

Keith

Polar Bear · Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 8:08 am Post subject:

Hi Keith,

Hummmm ... a very interesting question mate.

Off the top of my head I would say 'Yes' .. the rig will not feel the same.

However ... I guess a few us us would need to ask you .. Why and then How would you move the chair Confused

It seems that your Merlin Body and Central Section have an 'all in one' look to them. (but I think they might be two joined up parts really?)

Also .. are we talking about moving Just the bodywork .. or the Sidecar Wheel as well .. any narrowing of the Rigs 'track' width will definately make some differences .. but these may not be All les desireable?

Tell us a bit more about your thinking here Our Kid .. it's a bit diffcult to see where you are coming from .. or going to with this Confused

.

Of course .. it might be that you just need to drop a cog, Slow Down a bit and take the Left Handers about 6" wider Laughing

Or find a wider gate?

Looking Forward to more on this one!!

Stay Safe Wink

Trev
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sidecarkeith · Joined: 06 Jan 2007 Posts: 336 Location: yorkshire uk

Ah Trev,

Your jumpnig too far ahead.
The sidecar is joined like most other sidecars to the bike on front & rear brackets.
I've no problems with any of the handling or anything else.

It's simple I've a large garage at the back of the garden and a 6 foot wide drive, the sidecar is 6 foot 6 inches.
I want the sidecar in the garage over winter, I've been waiting over 12 months for my neighbour to take down the dividing fence.

Keith

bitontheside · Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 9:19 am Post subject:

Your handling would not be the same, not as stable. Plus you would probably need new fitting and almost certainly a new joiner fairing. Move the house or accidentally knock the fence down! It'll be cheaper! My outfit is 6 foot 10 inch wide!

Polar Bear · Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 10:11 am Post subject:

Ha Harrrrrr ... I see.

OK .. this problem is no big deal .. Cool

Strong Rope, Fence Posts, Tow Ball, Bottom Gear and bloke next door out for the day ... job done! Rolling Eyes

Seriously ..If it's His fence (we might need to explain that to the American Members?) it might be an idea to offer to help him ... physically and financially if you have not done so already and agree that the whole job needs to be 100% 'Made Good' once the fence is gone.

I'm really glad you are not going to cut your rig up! Laughing

Trev
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sidecarkeith · Joined: 06 Jan 2007 Posts: 336 Location: yorkshire uk

Not so easy
I actually get on with him, problem is he's a builder so all his stuff like planks, ladders, cement mixed are at the other side of the fence.
As you'll know builder's say one time and mean another for doing things, if knew somewhere he could store his gear, it'd be sorted by the end of the week.

If I'd have thought it out before hand I should have seen if Merlin could have narrowed the rig before they built it.

Keith

Paul · Joined: 27 Jan 2005 Posts: 182 Location: Utah

sidecarkeith · Joined: 06 Jan 2007 Posts: 336 Location: yorkshire uk

There's a big difference between the body and chassis.

Keith

Polar Bear · Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 7:11 pm Post subject:

Hi Paul,

As I've seen Keith & Anne's Merlin Outfit up close, I think I can confidently say he has little or no chance ever of cutting anything out of it, even if he wanted to do so Confused

.

I hope they will not mind me telling you that their Merlin / Tiumph outfit is a Very Special Rig. It has built in whelchair storage and a fold away electric crain that lifts Anne in and out of the sidecar, as well as the Fancy Go Faster Paint job, Indeed these two are rather Special People Very Happy

.

Now that we all know about Bob the Builder next door .. I'm not sure what to sugest next .. funny bugers them builders. I'm sure Keith will find a way to 'resolve this situation' .. before we all turn up and give Bob a good kicking!
Laughing

Onwards people .. ever onwards Wink

Trev
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bmcsheehy · Joined: 22 Jan 2005 Posts: 991 Location: Massachusetts USA

Easier to build a new garage.
Probable cheaper too.
_________________
Bill
High Performance Sidecaring... ...There is nothing "HACKED" about it.
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sidecarkeith · Joined: 06 Jan 2007 Posts: 336 Location: yorkshire uk

Ah Bob,
The answer to that is very long and complicated the resons why we can not put a portable garage at the front.
So lets just say Council building regulations for putting buildings at the front of your property inflexble, breaking them could result in a fine & the garage torn down.

If I didn't secure it to the ground no problems (not permanent) problem there in this day and age it would be a gamble, whether it would still be there in the morning.
Either stolen or blown away.

Well at least I've found that one option (width) is a no go.

Keith

storch · Joined: 10 Nov 2007 Posts: 1 Location: Nanaimo,BC

My garagedoor has a width of 6 feet and the(long0 approach to it is
restricted to about 6'6".So my sidecar rigs can only be 5'10" wide,including handlebars,mrrors etc.I built a sidecar for an FJ 1100,
cocentrating weight low and out:a relatively heavy frame and suspension
and a lightweight aramid honeycomb body.Battery and tools far right and low.The rig was not very prone to lift sidecar.-I am just attaching an
old Motorvation Formula to a K 1100.It is much harder to limit width.I actually had to narrow the sidecar body by about 4 inches.
Gary