V7III and Sidecar?

[twowheeladdict]

I toured Hannigan Motorsports yesterday. They make trike conversions, side cars, and pull behind trailers.

Some really cool rigs and his tour made me know that if I was ever interested in one of those products.

I saw a side car mounted to a Scout and got wondering if the V7III would be able to handle a side car without breaking.

I know the Ural uses a 750.  What are your thoughts?

[guzzisteve]

They work fine-------

[Dirk_S]

I’m planning to install a heavily modified Velorex sidecar to my V7II once I get the money to buy the mounting hardware.

Without modifying the triple tree or replacing the forks with leading link, I imagine the steering’s going to be quite stiff, so I’ve been told by Jay at DMC and one or two who tried it on theirs. I’ve already experienced how tough steering can be without said modifications on the F800GS that the Velorex came attached to; if someone thinks a Ural is tough on the arms and shoulders, just try a bike that’s NOT made specifically to take a tub. Ooof.

But we’ll see. Would love to read some more self-anecdotal opinions regarding the V7s as tugs, though.

[twowheeladdict]

They work fine-------

   Your bike?. 

[guzzisteve]

No, from EU, THIS is mine--- 86 Cal2 & SCF sidecar

[Rich A]

I'd say it depends on how you plan to use it. I have a V7III (and a Jackal sidecar outfit), and I think that running a V7 rig at 75 mph on the slab for any distance would be pushing it.

Rich A

[twowheeladdict]

I'd say it depends on how you plan to use it. I have a V7III (and a Jackal sidecar outfit), and I think that running a V7 rig at 75 mph on the slab for any distance would be pushing it.

Rich A

I don’t even ride my Road Glide on the slab if I have a choice. I’m about the ride over the destination.

My thoughts would be never exceeding 55 mph.

Did you all change the rake and subsequently the trail on the bike for handling with the side car?

[twowheeladdict]

Any bike can be a tug for a sidecar as long as they are matched to one another. There are several builders that can do the work. Expect to pay many 1000's of dollars to have it done right. Slapping a Velorex on a bike with universal mounts will result in a rig that is the least it can be.

Claude Stanley really opened my eyes when we talked about building my rig.

Care to share a little of the conversation?

[guzzisteve]

If you go to the USCA forum or website you can get a book about sidecar set-up. Need to do it correctly. I used to do sidecar set-up & build rigs. I was also a sidecar instructor for the MSF course at the state colledges, and sidecar rallies in IL. If you're close to GA I can do the set-up. DMC has mounting for Guzzi models but they are around $900.

[Rich A]

I don’t even ride my Road Glide on the slab if I have a choice. I’m about the ride over the destination.

My thoughts would be never exceeding 55 mph.

Did you all change the rake and subsequently the trail on the bike for handling with the side car?

Should be fine for that speed.

I started out with a set of 3-trees modified by Steerite (no longer in business). That made steering much easier, but I found a set of leading links for a decent price, so I switched to those.

Rich

[twowheeladdict]

Thanks for all the responses.  Kicking around the ideal of getting a dog when I retire to go camping and riding with me.  If I get a medium to large dog, the side car would be great to take it along on rides so I don't have to leave it in the camper.  Just at the dreaming and inquiry stage for now. 

[kingoffleece]

I hacked a 865 Bonneville.  For any serious riding a leading link front end is needed, unless you have shoulders like The Hulk.  At the VERY least a new triple tree will be needed. And you'll still hate it after 100 miles.