Author Topic: Tonti Sidecar mounts by Lee Bruns. (Read 3622 times)

bigbikerrick · « **on:** October 26, 2019, 12:41:00 PM »

Hello Folks. I have been building a new sidecar rig using My Cal II automatic,and a Texas Ranger sidecar. I had Lee Bruns custom make me a set of lower mounts to fit my application, and to say he did a beautiful job, is an understatement. Lee is an artist, and the quality of his work is readily apparent. He is also very reasonable ,and his turn around time is fast!
Lee made these beauties from a solid piece of stainless steel billett. He machined them all the way down to the mounting bolt,and properly sized flange to fit precisely in the Tonti frame. You can compare in the photo, to the old mount that came with the sidecar, which is a crude welded up affair.

A "Tip of the hat" to Lee Bruns!

I will post photos of the sidecar build as it progresses,
Rick

bigbikerrick · « **Reply #1 on:** October 26, 2019, 12:54:44 PM »

Sidecar frame ready to mount and level. The "Tub" needs alot of cosmetic work, before its ready to mount.
Rick.

BobA · « **Reply #2 on:** October 26, 2019, 01:04:00 PM »

Hi Rick. Do you know or can point me in the right direction for a trailer hitch for a MGX-21 / Cali 14? Maybe Lee Brun? Am also considering a sidecar rig for the same machine sometime in the future. Any thoughts there??

Thanks Bob

bigbikerrick · « **Reply #3 on:** October 26, 2019, 04:21:42 PM »

Quote from: BobA on October 26, 2019, 01:04:00 PM

Hi Rick. Do you know or can point me in the right direction for a trailer hitch for a MGX-21 / Cali 14? Maybe Lee Brun? Am also considering a sidecar rig for the same machine sometime in the future. Any thoughts there??

Thanks Bob

PM sent, Bob. Rick.

guzzisteve · « **Reply #4 on:** October 26, 2019, 05:58:04 PM »

It is good to know an excellent machinist. Just makes projects easier. Lee does nice work, I use his Foot Lever bushes.

GearheadGrrrl · « **Reply #5 on:** October 26, 2019, 06:43:22 PM »

Those jewels tempt me to acquire a Tonti!

StuCorpe · « **Reply #6 on:** October 26, 2019, 06:50:51 PM »

I have a Texas Ranger on mine also.

fotoguzzi · « **Reply #7 on:** October 26, 2019, 07:28:44 PM »

Quote from: StuCorpe on October 26, 2019, 06:50:51 PM

I have a Texas Ranger on mine also.

nice!

Lee Bruns · « **Reply #8 on:** October 26, 2019, 08:45:22 PM »

Thanks, all. I am making up another batch of shifter/brake bushings this winter, if anyone needs any, and of course, the sidecar mounts, and other odd bits Drop me a note if you need anything made.

bigbikerrick · « **Reply #9 on:** October 27, 2019, 04:30:57 PM »

Quote from: StuCorpe on October 26, 2019, 06:50:51 PM

I have a Texas Ranger on mine also.

Very nice looking rig you have there. So far ,I like the Ranger just fine. Seems to be a quality built sidecar, with simple ,but effective suspension. I am currently re fiberglassing the inside of the tub, to give it a bit more strength in certain areas.Rick

StuCorpe · « **Reply #10 on:** October 27, 2019, 06:13:13 PM »

For the most part I like it, have yet to figure out how to cut down the windshield (make it shorter) as the is a lot of wind off it onto the driver. The passenger in the car likes it or at least my wife does. I added a 25 lb weight (barbell weight) to the bottom of the triangle shaped step on the right side to make it a little easier to keep on the ground when riding without a passenger. Currently trying to get a VW steering damper mounted to get rid of the low speed headshake on some surfaces. The original steering damper on the bike only lasted about 1,000 miles.

bigbikerrick · « **Reply #11 on:** October 28, 2019, 01:21:39 AM »

Hey Stu, I made a shorter windshield for mine out of 1/8" lexan, cut it with a jig saw, used the original as a pattern, of the bottom, and hole alignment, then cut the top shorter. I am hoping it will make it easier for my wife to get in and out. I found a lexan sheet on ebay about 4ft by2ft, and I made 2 windshields out of that.
I just mounted a VW bug damper on mine, between the sidecar front upper strut, and the bolt on the lower triple clamp. Works like a charm.
I Like your idea for adding ballast. I am going to have to do something similar to mine, it is a bit light!
Rick.

StuCorpe · « **Reply #12 on:** October 28, 2019, 08:15:06 AM »

I'll check on Lexan today, thanks. Do you have a picture showing the mounting of your damper? I'm having trouble picturing it in my mind, getting old I guess.

StuCorpe · « **Reply #13 on:** October 28, 2019, 11:16:52 AM »

I mounted it like this.

bigbikerrick · « **Reply #14 on:** October 28, 2019, 12:16:17 PM »

I will take some photos of the steering damper,and its mounting,today,and post them here. How much does that weight weigh? Thats the perfect placement for ballast!
Rick.

larrys · « **Reply #15 on:** October 28, 2019, 01:41:57 PM »

I had a '69 Bonneville with a Velorex on it. I put a small car battery behind the seat for ballast and extra battery power. A couple cases of beer in it made it even more stable...
Larry

StuCorpe · « **Reply #16 on:** October 28, 2019, 02:05:08 PM »

That one is 25#, I have a second one the same size and thinking about adding that also (they can be stacked as only about 1.5" thick or could go to a pair that are only 3/4" thick but larger diameter).

bigbikerrick · « **Reply #17 on:** October 31, 2019, 11:53:46 PM »

Here you can see the VW steering damper. Its mounted at the bottom, using a P clamp meant for auxiliary lights, and at the top, with a piece of 1" flat stock, that I bent and drilled to make the mount. It works real well.
Rick.

bigbikerrick · « **Reply #18 on:** October 31, 2019, 11:59:41 PM »

I am installing a seat from a Yamaha Rhino side by side, so its weatherproof. Just like my previous sidecar rig.

bigbikerrick · « **Reply #19 on:** November 01, 2019, 12:11:22 AM »

I have the alignment down pretty good, with 9" of wheel lead, 1 degree of leanout, and 1/2" of toe in. It tracks straight, without pull to either side. I am in the process of reinforcing the tub, with fiberglass cloth, and resin, and cutting out a shorty windshield out of 1/8" lexan. I will post more photos when mounted.
Rick.

bigbikerrick · « **Reply #20 on:** November 01, 2019, 12:21:02 AM »

I added aluminum plates at all 4 mounting holes, in the floor, embedded in the layers of fiberglass cloth that were added.
this is a better photo of the lower steering damper mounting clamp.
Rick.

StuCorpe · « **Reply #21 on:** November 01, 2019, 11:18:55 AM »

bigbikerrick, I see now, thanks a bunch. I was trying to keep it level and couldn't figure out how, I guess I'm not mechanical enough.

bigbikerrick · « **Reply #22 on:** November 01, 2019, 01:07:33 PM »

No Problem, what you want to do is mount it in a position where you get equal stroke travel of the damper piston, with the bars turned all the way to the right,and to the left. That way you can find the appropriate "mid point" where to mount the lower end of the damper, when the bars are pointed straight ahead.
Is that clear as mud?

Rick.

StuCorpe · « **Reply #23 on:** November 01, 2019, 01:15:28 PM »

Got it!

Rich A · « **Reply #24 on:** November 01, 2019, 06:40:07 PM »

At the risk of a little thread drift, I have a TX standard tub--which is a little light for the Jackal--so I mounted it wide and have added a fair amount of ballast:

(1) 2 x 7.5 lb weights

(2) 2 x 5 lb and 2 x 3 lb scuba weights

(3) car battery

Rich A

bigbikerrick · « **Reply #25 on:** November 02, 2019, 04:58:21 AM »

Hey Rich,Thats a clever way to mount your ballast! I am going to have to come up with something similar on mine. I have noticed that the floor of the sidecar is very thin fiberglass,and flexes quite a bit. I have really reinforced it with layers of fiberglass cloth and resin. Now the tub is much more rigid. I used to be able to lift the nose of the tub,and it would move about 1-2" off the frame, just from the floor in flexing out from the front mounts. Not any more!
You mentioned that you set your rig up "Wide" since the sidecar is a bit light. Can you tell me what the width of your rig is from the centerline of the sidecar tire to the Guzzis rear tire center ?
Mine is set at about 53 ", but I think I can bring it a few inches out further from the bike if needed for stability.
Thanks
Rick D.

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Author Topic: Tonti Sidecar mounts by Lee Bruns. (Read 3622 times)