Suspicious activity

[f6john]

Going on in Tennessee. Sorta looks like an alien ship of some kind?

[Rams]

The owner/rider must be color blind...................
Maybe, just blind......

Rams

[Hook#3287]

Love the Valk
Like the trailer
The side car?  Uh....needs a paint job for starters. Imho.

[Serk]

Woulda loved that when my triplets were small... Still pretty cool!

As far as the mismatched paint, I still haven't gotten around to painting the saddlebags on my Valk... that I got in 2001... 

[f6john]

I can almost guarantee that the rig just as it sits would be a conversation starter wherever it goes.

[six2go #152]

I can almost guarantee that the rig just as it sits would be a conservation starter wherever it goes.

Not sure what it has to do with conservation. Maybe a conversation starter for sure.

[Rams]

Love the Valk
Like the trailer
The side car?  Uh....needs a paint job for starters. Imho.

Reference the Valk:  Who doesn't love them.
Reference the trailer, wasn't sure it would even fit due to the location of the fenders but, it worked, mounted an additional tire rail on the left side of the trailer on top of the trailer frame.  Will be moving that tire rail over a bit to more center it.  BTW, I modified that trailer into a tilt bed trailer.  With some things, the pull out ramps aren't needed now.   Looking for some kind of quick release system to attach and take off that additional tire rail.   It being there will make trailering the trike a bit of a challenge.

Paint?   Well, it'll be those colors for a while.   John Smith's CFO still hasn't gotten through all of John's loan applications yet...............  

BTW:  I wasn't intending to post about this, at least until it was painted but, someone seemed to think it was a good thing to do.   That paint might take quite a while to get financed.  So, now one doesn't have to guess why his CFO takes her time.  

Rams

[LadyDraco]

Who cares  about the  colour  that  has  nothing to do on performance.

[f6john]

I’m waiting for my first ride, I want to see if Ron can get this up on two wheels with me in it! Preferably, not while going off an embankment.

[F6Dave]

I really like that black and orange. It must be one of the rarest colors as I've only seen a very few.

Here are two interesting bikes with sidecars I saw a few months ago. In the top photo is a Vincent Black Shadow.

[Jess from VA]

That 2d one is wild.  V8. 

I'd love to pull that thing in for a VA MC safety inspection.  (as long as it belonged to someone else)   

[Serk]

Who cares  about the  colour  that  has  nothing to do on performance.

I mean, kind of correct.... Everyone knows the blue and ivory are the fastest, but other than that, they're all pretty much equal...

[Rams]

I’m waiting for my first ride, I want to see if Ron can get this up on two wheels with me in it! Preferably, not while going off an embankment.

Ya might want to be a bit more specific, which two wheels?  

Have no plans to intentionally "fly" that sidecar.   Whether you're in it or not.  

I really like that black and orange. It must be one of the rarest colors as I've only seen a very few.

Thank you sir, it's my favorite color combo also.   According to some site I was directed to, supposedly 200 were painted this color combo.   

Rams

[f6john]

Whichever two wheels works for you will work for me! Once you get the rig sorted out you might want to practice and a couple of 100 lb sacks of sugar would probably provide adequate ballast to account for me not being in the sidecar.

[F6Dave]

That 2d one is wild.  V8. 

I'd love to pull that thing in for a VA MC safety inspection.  (as long as it belonged to someone else)   

That V8 also has twin turbos!

I was talking to another Vincent owner at that event and he said sidecars were so popular on the Black Shadow that an electric start kit was available. Since the owners tended to be wealthy the kit was frequently installed even without a sidecar. In 1948 I doubt many motorcycles had electric start.

[Hook#3287]

When I stated I love the Valk, which I do love ALL of them, I should have pointed out the color has my extra affection.  The rare red on black is one of the best ( or is it black on red?)

I'm not a fan of sidecars, yet.

They certainly are works of art like all things motorcyclie, just not my thing.

I did a long ride up to Maine with a great rider buddy that added a side car to his Road King.

3 of us and both of us on 2 wheels had a distinct advantage on the not spectacular roads of New England.

We were able to bob and weave the road impurities much easyier and faster then our side car friend and he took a significantly more elevated beating than us.

But, he was out there, that's the important fact, and sometimes he can bring his 4 legged best friend with him which makes both of them happy.

[LadyDraco]

I  have  never  had  issues with having 3  wheels.
But I don't  have  a hack..

[f6john]

If she can do it I know Rams is a natural!

[Rams]

When I stated I love the Valk, which I do love ALL of them, I should have pointed out the color has my extra affection.  The rare red on black is one of the best ( or is it black on red?)

I'm not a fan of sidecars, yet.

They certainly are works of art like all things motorcyclie, just not my thing.

I did a long ride up to Maine with a great rider buddy that added a side car to his Road King.

3 of us and both of us on 2 wheels had a distinct advantage on the not spectacular roads of New England.

We were able to bob and weave the road impurities much easyier and faster then our side car friend and he took a significantly more elevated beating than us.

But, he was out there, that's the important fact, and sometimes he can bring his 4 legged best friend with him which makes both of them happy.

Sir,

First, being honest about it, the color of the bike is Orange and Black, not red and black.

I believe you're correct about everything you've stated.   It took me a long time to decide to add a sidecar rig to my small group of fat ladies.   Just wasn't sure I would like it and to be honest, I'm still not 100% sure about it.   But, one really doesn't know unless one tries.

What I do know is, riding it requires a very different mindset and technique/style from my Fat Lady Trike and my Two Wheeled Valk Cruiser.   Something I'm still working on.  But the truth is, my aging knees are what convinced me of that (for me), three wheels are better than two (again, for someone with my knee issues).  Two wheels are still more maneuverable and lots of fun.   I still ride the Two Wheeled Fat Lady but it only takes once of a knee to buckle while stopped to get my attention.    I don't have a four legged friend to take along but for those that do, I can see the pleasure in doing that.

Rams

[Rams]

If she can do it I know Rams is a natural!

John,
Just a friendly reminder, go take your medication(s). 

Rams

[f6john]

I’m taking a lot of meds already! I am going to start a new one this week, we’ll see how it goes!



Rams in his early years!

[Hook#3287]

When I stated I love the Valk, which I do love ALL of them, I should have pointed out the color has my extra affection.  The rare red on black is one of the best ( or is it black on red?)

I'm not a fan of sidecars, yet.

They certainly are works of art like all things motorcyclie, just not my thing.

I did a long ride up to Maine with a great rider buddy that added a side car to his Road King.

3 of us and both of us on 2 wheels had a distinct advantage on the not spectacular roads of New England.

We were able to bob and weave the road impurities much easyier and faster then our side car friend and he took a significantly more elevated beating than us.

But, he was out there, that's the important fact, and sometimes he can bring his 4 legged best friend with him which makes both of them happy.

Sir,

First, being honest about it, the color of the bike is Orange and Black, not red and black.

I believe you're correct about everything you've stated.   It took me a long time to decide to add a sidecar rig to my small group of fat ladies.   Just wasn't sure I would like it and to be honest, I'm still not 100% sure about it.   But, one really doesn't know unless one tries.

What I do know is, riding it requires a very different mindset and technique/style from my Fat Lady Trike and my Two Wheeled Valk Cruiser.   Something I'm still working on.  But the truth is, my aging knees are what convinced me of that (for me), three wheels are better than two (again, for someone with my knee issues).  Two wheels are still more maneuverable and lots of fun.   I still ride the Two Wheeled Fat Lady but it only takes once of a knee to buckle while stopped to get my attention.    I don't have a four legged friend to take along but for those that do, I can see the pleasure in doing that.

Rams

Rams

I stand corrected

I was confusing your bike with the Black/American Red Interstate. I also love the looks of that combo you have.  I rode with a Valk owner that had the same one, nice.

I guess most of us here, that want to continue to get wind, will need to make changes in our ride and riding style.

Nothing wrong in that and I have already adjusted somewhat since 1999 when I got my first.

It's all good.

[Pluggy]

Rams, I have seen this book but don't own it.  You might find information about tires and suspension useful.

https://www.amazon.com/Sidecar-Guide-existing-motorcycle-sidecar/dp/1088425372/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1GQ1OWVS5N7Q4&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.bICAPa3MDEO5MfB5pVnIlDWisySGnN_ijgWkRw96UOi9Ba9Fp3QOSkSYo2pX5vqNmhye8IorKkDbeiVolovb3V8R6uCgqYFpt6fe9RPvXT5IspeUEr0t7KWqSE3GTejqUIbt7QKm22TujcR6k3luSg.n3Xiied-NxA2ZaNCAKGD69iryRkU4PYUxn3yT6DQyeA&dib_tag=se&keywords=motorcycle+sidecar+handbook&qid=1755968741&sprefix=motorcycle+sidecar+handbook%2Caps%2C330&sr=8-1

[Jess from VA]

Rams in his early years!

That's textbook child endangerment right there.   

Lay off the brakes Dad.   

[LadyDraco]

Nah     that's  a  monkey ...


I'm sure  Rams will fly the  chair.
 

[Rams]

Rams, I have seen this book but don't own it.  You might find information about tires and suspension useful.

https://www.amazon.com/Sidecar-Guide-existing-motorcycle-sidecar/dp/1088425372/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1GQ1OWVS5N7Q4&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.bICAPa3MDEO5MfB5pVnIlDWisySGnN_ijgWkRw96UOi9Ba9Fp3QOSkSYo2pX5vqNmhye8IorKkDbeiVolovb3V8R6uCgqYFpt6fe9RPvXT5IspeUEr0t7KWqSE3GTejqUIbt7QKm22TujcR6k3luSg.n3Xiied-NxA2ZaNCAKGD69iryRkU4PYUxn3yT6DQyeA&dib_tag=se&keywords=motorcycle+sidecar+handbook&qid=1755968741&sprefix=motorcycle+sidecar+handbook%2Caps%2C330&sr=8-1

Thanks Pluggy, I'll check it out.   

Rams   

[GiG]

Lay off the brakes Dad.   

Sent this to son Ryan with caption:”Honda Dwarf Bowling” . He’s laughing because, when he was this size, I would throw him down the hallway on the hardwood floor. Figured it would clean & polish the floor and the kid loved Dwarf Bowling   

[f6john]

Lay off the brakes Dad.   

Sent this to son Ryan with caption:”Honda Dwarf Bowling” . He’s laughing because, when he was this size, I would throw him down the hallway on the hardwood floor. Figured it would clean & polish the floor and the kid loved Dwarf Bowling   

Sounds familiar. We had hardwood floors when I was a kid but no hallways long enough for bowling. But I would get a towel and pull my sister around on that going all through the house. Didn’t do a bad job of dusting the floor either!

[Jess from VA]

The house I grew up in also had all hardwood floors.  But it was so old and dried out, you could get 3-4 inch splinters in your feet, so there was no sliding around.  Everyone wore slippers for protection.

[GiG]

Dorf Bowling Rule #1: No belt buckles!
       #2: Don’t tell MoM!

 

[Rams]

After several short rides (trying to overcome any learning curve) I managed to not take out any mail boxes and keep the sidecar out of the ditches.   So, today I took a 75 mile ride around on some four and two-lane roads.  

I discovered that I need to go back and re-adjust some of the finer adjustment points after going through/over some small potholes.   Managed to miss the big ones.   Regardless, will be doing that in the next few days, the bike is no longer vertical, there's a very slight lean toward the sidecar.   A twist or two on those structural bars should straighten everything back up.

Also discovered the crown of the road makes a much bigger influence on a sidecar rig than it does on my two-wheeled cruiser or the Trike.   This California Sidecar has an electric axle lean motor ( I think that's what it's called).   Need to get that wired up and see how that makes it ride after I get that adjustment made.  

Rams

[sidecarwilliam]

I'm glad to see you finally made it to the world of sidecars!
Is it as different as I told you? 
A very different kind of challange.
 As to what I read it seems you have a problem, the bike should lean about 2 or 3 degrees away from the sidecar.
When setting up the bike I use two 10 foot unistruts placed on regular bricks lying on their sides, one along the left side with the unistrut touching the rear tire sidewall evenly.  The other is set along the sidecar wheel on the bricks touching the sidwall twice as on the rear wheel.  With sidecars you must aling the sidecar wheel with the rear M/C tire(wheel.) Measure just behind the bike and just infront of the bike and you will want to have about 3/4 to 1 inch of toe in. Then you lean the  bike about 3to4 degrees out from verticle.
Its a good place to start and then change Only ONE thiing at a time till you get the results you want.
I find it best to set it up as you will operate ( weight in the chair etc.)
Good luck and good times!  Gas station stops will never be the same.
Questions??  Give me a holler.

bill.

[Rams]

I'm glad to see you finally made it to the world of sidecars!
Is it as different as I told you?  
A very different kind of challange.
 As to what I read it seems you have a problem, the bike should lean about 2 or 3 degrees away from the sidecar.
When setting up the bike I use two 10 foot unistruts placed on regular bricks lying on their sides, one along the left side with the unistrut touching the rear tire sidewall evenly.  The other is set along the sidecar wheel on the bricks touching the sidwall twice as on the rear wheel.  With sidecars you must aling the sidecar wheel with the rear M/C tire(wheel.) Measure just behind the bike and just infront of the bike and you will want to have about 3/4 to 1 inch of toe in. Then you lean the  bike about 3to4 degrees out from verticle.
Its a good place to start and then change Only ONE thiing at a time till you get the results you want.
I find it best to set it up as you will operate ( weight in the chair etc.)
Good luck and good times!  Gas station stops will never be the same.
Questions??  Give me a holler.

bill.

Bill, that's the process we used but, we stopped with the bike sitting as perfectly level as possible, should have "adjusted" it just a hair past level leaning away from the sidecar.  Will do that next time my son comes over.  But, we never put the level on it while I sat in the saddle.

In my 75 mile ride today, I got three thumbs up and a bunch of folks waving at me.   While getting gas, I got surrounded by a small group of lookers.   One stated that he'd seen pictures of sidecar rigs before but never in person.   He said to me, that's really cool!   The Valk normally gets attention but, nothing like what she got today.  

I really do think it will be a beautiful rig once I get that sidecar painted.  Thanks for the response.  

Edited:   I just re-read Bill's post, I erred in my reply, he said weight in the Chair, not the Saddle as I interpreted his post.  That mistake on my part would definitely make a difference in how the sidecar sits.   Hmm, gonna have to think about this a bit.   I wonder if I can get my wife to sit in the sidecar "chair" long enough to make the needed adjustments?  Will have to check with John Smith, he wants to be in the car when it flys, this could be his opportunity. 

Rams