How to make a sidecar more useful

[adaven]

Speaking of professional mechanics, I took my EV and a modified Motorvation sidecar carriage out to Lee Bruns a while ago to have it mounted. I think that Lee is pretty much done now and is playing around since I can't get out there to pick it up for a couple of weeks. He sent me these photos in the last couple of days. We're thinking a modular approach would be handy. What a great work he does!

[Dirk_S]

That’s super neat, and easy enough to set up at home from what I understand (removing the tub is a bolt-on/off affair, and doesn’t involve alignment).

I sold my Ural a couple weeks ago, but might be buying a Triumph T100 mated with a Velorex next week. Really itching for another Russian style sidecar (DMC’s M72 style would be a dream to have), so I can play with the tub more like your mechanic!

[Perazzimx14]

When I had a sidecar Claude Stanley plated the frame so it was more rigid and added natural ballast. He used a 3/16 x 24 x 48 sheet of steel. Then the tub bolted to it. The nice thing was if you unbolted the tub you had a nice flat bet to haul all manner of stuff.

[adaven]

He used a 3/16 x 24 x 48 sheet of steel. Then the tub bolted to it.

I had a summer job as a shearman slicing up plates of steel for dies. That piece offers significant ballast. I was thinking of doing the same

[ozarquebus]

what is the typical thickness of sidecar tub sheetmetal bodies?

[adaven]

I don't really know. I don't have experience with a large number of sidecars. Maybe 18-20 gauge

[moto-uno]

  Without a doubt , that is the most potentially hazardous looking outfit I've ever seen ! Peter

[s1120]

With all the rain we have been having in the north east that canue would be a fine, useful addition!

[Lee Bruns]

  Without a doubt , that is the most potentially hazardous looking outfit I've ever seen ! Peter
[/quote

Pound sand, Peter. My work is well known, Who are you and what makes you think you know more about sidecar structure than me?

[moto-uno]

 I think you missed my point , it was in reference to the canoe sticking so far out the front that had me
thinking about about negotiating corners in town with traffic and all . (But I've installed a few sidecars
on bikes they were never intended to fit while I was in Ottawa) . Hope that clarifies it a bit . I guess I should
have added a smiley face at the end of the comment.

[adaven]

The rig is a nice piece of work by Lee. In this case, it is the driver you got to watch out for. Fortunately my kayak is only 10.5" and my lake is less than a mile away, so unless I do something unusually careless...

[Dirk_S]

  Without a doubt , that is the most potentially hazardous looking outfit I've ever seen ! Peter
[/quote

Pound sand, Peter. My work is well known, Who are you and what makes you think you know more about sidecar structure than me?

Yeah... I didn't take that as a jab at you, Lee.

Have a coffee, mate ;)

[John A]

  Without a doubt , that is the most potentially hazardous looking outfit I've ever seen ! Peter
[/quote

Pound sand, Peter. My work is well known, Who are you and what makes you think you know more about sidecar structure than me?

Most of us know that Lee is a master at all things sidecar so I read Peters post as humor but I’m a little thick sometimes so I liked Lee’s response as well.

[bigbikerrick]

I have used Lee's lower mounts for 2 tonti framed rigs I built in the past. Lee machines them out of solid stainless steel, and they are a work of art!  If Lee sets up your sidecar frame, you can rest assured, he will do it right.   
Rick Duarte

[moto-uno]

  I feel better now guys :) ! Thanks , Peter