Building a sidecar for my son !

[kirk71]

Right'o
as the title says my 5 year old is hooked on bikes, and as i have not intention of putting him on the back any time soon i started to think how great it would be to take my lad on a ride out "father and son" enjoying the open road. after several failed attempts at whats about on Ebay, and having no intention of parting with stupid amounts of euros for one from over the water i started to think "how hard could it be".
i especially like the "side winder" built by Armec several years ago, but would be just as happy with a rigid set up.
could anyone who knows anything about these, or basic engineering advice comment on the best way to go about this? and how would be the best way to connect said sidecar to an 1150gs?
any help greatly appreciated as i have already drawn a few basics designs as to how i want it to look, basic, rugged like the gs.

something like this:

many thanks
Kirk

 

[hitmanh]

Have a browse through the hacks forum on Adventure Riders forums, http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=56 loads of great information and knowledgable people there.

 

[Tarka]

Just seen this repeat Thread in here....I posted a reply in your 'Wanted' Thread last night.

This is it copied.....

If..as your title implies..you`re considering fitting a sidecar to an 1150GS,then you`ll be facing a fair old job to attach it.

The reason being that you don`t have a tubular frame..or full frame of any kind.

Take a close look at how sidecars are fitted to bikes with full and tubular frames,then take a close look at some Oilheads fitted with sidecars.
There`s a few pics in the Hacks section of ADVrider if you do a search or two for them.

The Oilheads need an additional subframe or big ugly plates to attach a sidecar to them.

 

[Tarka]

That one in the picture above could do with some very close scrutiny as the upper tie rods aren`t visible..not even the front one which I`d have expected to see from that angle.

For a secure and rigid combo you need two lower mounts with as big a gap between them as possible...and then two upper mounts/tie rods,again spaced quite apart and mounted as high as practicable on the bike.

Don`t forget to allow for toe in and lean out adjustment.

Like I said above....do some searches and study carefully the mounts on the Oilheads.

 

[ianboydsnr]

I think if it was me, that I would prefer a separate bike and sidecar, to my normal ride, would'nt need to be big or fast, say a mz250 with one of those scooter sidecars or even one of those russian ones, maybe more initial outlay, but once the little one is old enough, it can be sold and the money recovered

 

[MattW]

Just get one of these :

They do them for proper GS's too:

 

[Tarka]

Just get one of these :

Except for the fact that it wouldn`t be legal over here for a UK resident.

It would fall foul of the 1981 right hand sidecar legislation for us.


Unless you found an Oilhead registered prior to 1981

 

[Rushy]

Oooh 2 wheel drive .......sweeet

Spent some time in the company of a guy with a 2 wheel drive Ural combo in the US, quite amazing what the guy could do with it.

 

[MattW]

Except for the fact that it wouldn`t be legal over here for a UK resident.

It would fall foul of the 1981 right hand sidecar legislation for us.


Unless you found an Oilhead registered prior to 1981

Spoilsport

OK - move to Germany first.

 

[DrFarkoff]

BUy another bike it's not worth the hassle Honestly sorting subframes and alignments etc etc

HEre's one unfortunately local to me but I think is reasonably good value

May 2002 Ural Dalesman motorcycle combination
Blue 22,000 miles with full service history
1 owner from new
open single seat military sidecar (all metal) with windscreen & leg shields
Reverse gear & sidecar brake
Spare cables, carburettor joints and driveshaft coupling
electronic ignition
MOT & Taxed April 2010
£2,5OO

Linky Here If you can;t get in or see the pics PM me and I'll bring them here

 

[ianboydsnr]

BUy another bike it's not worth the hassle Honestly sorting subframes and alignments etc etc

HEre's one unfortunately local to me but I think is reasonably good value

May 2002 Ural Dalesman motorcycle combination
Blue 22,000 miles with full service history
1 owner from new
open single seat military sidecar (all metal) with windscreen & leg shields
Reverse gear & sidecar brake
Spare cables, carburettor joints and driveshaft coupling
electronic ignition
MOT & Taxed April 2010
£2,5OO

Linky Here If you can;t get in or see the pics PM me and I'll bring them here

 

[kirk71]

Thanks for all your help and advice, it does seem i have a hell of a job in front of me but im determined to succeed

Tarka, thank you for your pm and invitation which i will take you up on.
will pm you shortly.

many thanks guys