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mark masterman
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« on: April 29, 2013, 04:16:42 AM » |
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I know this has been discussed in the past but,
I was selling my Valk with the intentions of buying an old Goldwing and Sidecar. I got the sidecar yesterday (velorex). I ran into a guy at a swap meet who told me that he could mount a Velorex onto a Valk. I told him about the triple tree raking involved and him told me that is not necessary (something about adjusting the sidecar to fit the bike and not adjusting the bike to fit the sidecar). Everything I have read here says that the rack conversion is necessary. Anyone out there have a sidecar on a Valk that does not have a rack kit? I vaguely remember a guy in Boston named Arte who went to great length to mount his sidecar and finally put the rake kit on. i think he sold the rig shortly after. I have a guy comint to look at the Valk on the weekend so i have to figure this all out in the next few days. Your valued input will be greatly appreciated as always (by the way, my bike is the Honda Davidson we all had fun with when I posted it for sale)!!!.
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MP
Member
Posts: 5532
1997 Std Valkyrie and 2001 red/blk I/S w/sidecar
North Dakota
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« Reply #1 on: April 29, 2013, 04:53:00 AM » |
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I have a Hannigan sidecar.
You do NOT need to have the front end raked. It will steer somewhat harder, but certainly doable.
MP
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 "Ridin' with Cycho" |
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solo1
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« Reply #2 on: April 29, 2013, 05:01:55 AM » |
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while I am sure that there are members more experienced than I when talking about rigs, my son and I did install a Motorvation sidecar on my Valkyrie.
You don't have to install a rake kit (reduced trail triple tree) on the Valkyrie if you prefer to develop arm muscles but in my experience, it's like driving (yes, I said driving) a rig with a flat front tire.
Mounting a sidecar isn't all that tough but you must be familiar with how to do it. A four point attachment is necessary. There are four adjustments for good handling. Gas mileage will be down, response will be asymmetrical, when braking it will pull to the left, when accelerating it will pull to the right. learn how to 'fly the chair,' it will save your butt. It's a very different experience.
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9Ball
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« Reply #3 on: April 29, 2013, 06:18:37 AM » |
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... and don't park where you would need the reverse gear to move the bike and sidecar....to me this is a major negative as opposed to using a GoldWing, especially if the sidecar is intended to help overcome diminished physical strength or a disability.
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VRCC #6897, Joined May, 2000
1999 Standard
2007 Rocket 3
2005 VTX 1300S
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Clark
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« Reply #4 on: April 29, 2013, 06:57:01 AM » |
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iam going thru the sidecar learning steps as we speak.. nothing easy about it.. and yes the more money ya spend the better the ride will be..and after ya spend a ton of cash there is a good chance ya STILL wont like it
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mmurffy03
Member
Posts: 791
03 standard
toms river new jersey
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« Reply #5 on: April 29, 2013, 10:07:15 AM » |
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here is artys email I don't think he will mind I just sold him a set of bags last week nice guy Artyc264@aol.com |
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solo1
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« Reply #6 on: April 29, 2013, 10:23:11 AM » |
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... and don't park where you would need the reverse gear to move the bike and sidecar....to me this is a major negative as opposed to using a GoldWing, especially if the sidecar is intended to help overcome diminished physical strength or a disability.
While I have 'diminished physical abilities" I had NO problem pushing the rig around, even uphill! Of course, I had to get off to do it, no big deal! Tom (Clark), i had written an article, a complete how to do, for amateurs installing their first sidecar. It appeared in The Sidecarists" magazine. I have it here somewhere if you're interested. Cheap price too. Free. |
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mark masterman
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« Reply #7 on: April 29, 2013, 11:27:11 AM » |
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Solo1,
that is what I am looking for, Side cars for dummies! But what about this rake thing?
How about you, mmurffy03?
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mmurffy03
Member
Posts: 791
03 standard
toms river new jersey
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« Reply #8 on: April 29, 2013, 12:21:25 PM » |
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I hear lots of positive comments about trikes with rake kits so it seems logical that it would help a sidecar rig the same way
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9Ball
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« Reply #9 on: April 29, 2013, 12:22:53 PM » |
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... and don't park where you would need the reverse gear to move the bike and sidecar....to me this is a major negative as opposed to using a GoldWing, especially if the sidecar is intended to help overcome diminished physical strength or a disability.
While I have 'diminished physical abilities" I had NO problem pushing the rig around, even uphill! Of course, I had to get off to do it, no big deal! Tom (Clark), i had written an article, a complete how to do, for amateurs installing their first sidecar. It appeared in The Sidecarists" magazine. I have it here somewhere if you're interested. Cheap price too. Free. congrats...but might not work for everyone...just putting it out there as a consideration...no offense meant. Hope I can keep up when I get to your age!!! |
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VRCC #6897, Joined May, 2000
1999 Standard
2007 Rocket 3
2005 VTX 1300S
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solo1
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« Reply #10 on: April 29, 2013, 12:26:30 PM » |
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Mark, I also strongly recommend the reduced trail triple clamps by whatever means. It makes turning much easier. The Valk's trail is 6 inches, give or take, reducing trail to 4 inches or so makes a big difference.
I have sent you my article by email. Let me know if you got it.
Wayne
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solo1
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« Reply #11 on: April 29, 2013, 12:30:33 PM » |
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congrats...but might not work for everyone...just putting it out there as a consideration...no offense meant. Hope I can keep up when I get to your age!!! (quote) No offense taken! Thanks. You were right tho that if you try to move a rig around while on it, all bets are off.  |
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LandElephant
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« Reply #12 on: April 29, 2013, 01:46:13 PM » |
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First Mark, I thought you bike was nice. Best of both worlds. I guess I would ask just how much will you use the sidecar? If not much is it worth the cost.
Can talk to the install, but riding and handling, now that is different. I bought a Ural that was designed with a sidecar. The first thing I did was make sure it was aligned properly and had the offset angle to compensate for the sidecar.
Mind drives like a tank but that's why I bought it. The fun factor. Now to shock many on this board, I have been considering selling my wing and just riding the Ural. Now many of you don't pass out yet. I still have the wing. Right turns have been the hardest to get use to doing. I am learning to fly the hack (tub) and getting better at these turns.
Good luck.
Charlie Morse
Land Elephant
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tank_post142
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« Reply #13 on: April 29, 2013, 03:43:01 PM » |
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i used to run a Chinese cj750 painted as a wwii german bike it was a lot of fun both on and off road. don't think i could get 48 mph out of it downhill with a tail wind but it was FUN.
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I got a rock  VRCCDS0246  |
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Clark
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« Reply #14 on: April 29, 2013, 03:46:46 PM » |
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First Mark, I thought you bike was nice. Best of both worlds. I guess I would ask just how much will you use the sidecar? If not much is it worth the cost.
Can talk to the install, but riding and handling, now that is different. I bought a Ural that was designed with a sidecar. The first thing I did was make sure it was aligned properly and had the offset angle to compensate for the sidecar.
Mind drives like a tank but that's why I bought it. The fun factor. Now to shock many on this board, I have been considering selling my wing and just riding the Ural. Now many of you don't pass out yet. I still have the wing. Right turns have been the hardest to get use to doing. I am learning to fly the hack (tub) and getting better at these turns.
Good luck.
Charlie Morse
Land Elephant
Charlie..right turns will scare ya..left turns will KILL ya.. jus sayn |
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scrounger
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« Reply #15 on: April 29, 2013, 04:37:43 PM » |
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Most Velorex side cars I have seen or read about are pretty light for a Gold wing or Valkyrie. ( I have one mounted to a Yamaha 650 ) If you have limited experience with one, I suggest you go here and read a bunch. http://www.sidecar.com/mbbs22/category-view.asp Sitting one up , at least for me was no picnic. Suggest you not overlook the comments about ballast. In my opinion, " flying the chair" (unless on an empty parking lot) is very dangerous and could get you hurt. Wishing you the best of luck with yours. |
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mark masterman
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« Reply #16 on: April 30, 2013, 03:35:41 AM » |
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Thanks everyone for the suggestions, help,comments and of coarse, the jokes! I have pretty much decided in advance that the install of a sidecar on a Valk would have been farmed out. too costly, so the Valk is still up for sale and my thought was to get and old naked wing. I have seen a few late '70's and earlt '80's on Craigslist with less than 30,000 miles!!! The guy I bought the sidecar from had a '79 Goldwing with 177,000 miles (just like a Valk). I believe the lighter weight of the old wings and the frame are better suited to the Velorex.
Thanks Wayne for the article! it was a good read and it's great that so many people came together to do it. It sometimes seems that the expierence of a grouping can be as much of a reward as the task itself (kinda of like the Amish and the barn.. old joke, nevermind...).
Any final comments before closing this thread would be appreciated. Ride safe!
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Valker
Member
Posts: 3006
Wahoo!!!!
Texas Panhandle
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« Reply #17 on: April 30, 2013, 05:25:19 AM » |
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Mark, I think the 81 Wing is the best year for a sidecar rig due to the gearing. These were geared perfectly for the 55mph world back then. I believe this was the lowest gearing offered for any Wing.
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I ride a motorcycle because nothing transports me as quickly from where I am to who I am.
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solo1
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« Reply #18 on: April 30, 2013, 06:10:04 AM » |
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In closing, Tom (Clark) made a good point about sidecars. "Right turns will scare you but left turns will kill ya" Absolutely right!
Right turns will fly the car and give you warning. Left turns can leverage the back wheel of the "tug" off the ground and a 'high side' will follow, no warnimg
As i said. it takes a good deal of effort and education to drive a rig safely on crowded highways. The original editor of ROAD RUNNER magazine was killed on a Ural rig in interstate traffic.
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