Poor man's driving light?

[skiri251]

I see what looks like a motor on the right side by the tire.
Is that for reverse?

Yes. It works but awkward to engage/disengage at the moment. I used toggle clamp and return spring for this and there is no easy way to operate the toggle clamp remotely (i.e. from the handlebars). Plus I use a C-clamp to hold the mechanism down to the swingarm while not in use. Otherwise it will bounce and makes a horrible noise.

I bought a used linear slide on eBay. With that and a linear actuator for engage/disengage, I can control it electrically from the handlebars.

 

[danf]

I see what looks like a motor on the right side by the tire.
Is that for reverse?

Thanks, I opened up a New World with that question...Wow that's insanely cool..
Yes. It works but awkward to engage/disengage at the moment. I used toggle clamp and return spring for this and there is no easy way to operate the toggle clamp remotely (i.e. from the handlebars). Plus I use a C-clamp to hold the mechanism down to the swingarm while not in use. Otherwise it will bounce and makes a horrible noise.

I bought a used linear slide on eBay. With that and a linear actuator for engage/disengage, I can control it electrically from the handlebars.

 

[danf]

> What does the rear of the sidecar look like, does it have brake lights too?

Yes. I mounted LED brake/tail light and the turn signal.
I also replaced stock GL brake/tail light with HF LED trailer lights.

That is so way cool man...I knew you had cool stuff back there..Your a true Nomad .. :grin:

 

[skiri251]

> That is so way cool man...I knew you had cool stuff back there..

Thanks!
There is one more contraption. It's called lock-out mechanism which is used to lock out the leaning motion of the rig by holding upper and lower control arms together.
It's used when I push the rig manually. The rig becomes regular rigidly mounted sidecar so I don't have to support it to keep it from falling.

Here's the current implementation.

I use one half of disk brake caliper from CB750K.

Initially it was just two holes with trailer hitch pin deal. It was awkward to use.
Then I put a toggle clamp which failed with sheering force.
Then I put alminum mini vice which failed again..

Current one still needs work. It's not stiff enough and the plate bends when the piston pushes against it.

 

[joedrum]

every time i look at this build it blows me away .....i know you use computer tools and drawing but the out of thin air teck speaks loud in your build k: :mrgreen:

 

[skiri251]

every time i look at this build it blows me away .....i know you use computer tools and drawing but the out of thin air teck speaks loud in your build k: :mrgreen:

It's been really a great experinece.

I just wanted a sidecar rig so that I can ride motorcycles more without upsetting my wife much. I thought, if I take my son with me, she would be less angry than me going alone.
It was a rigid sidecar rig with heavy steering and slow right turn speed (otherwise the sidecar lifts up).

Then I found there were leaner rigs on the net but commercial ones were insanely expensive. I couldn't imagine building one by myself first but somehow little by little I did it.

Now if I could weld decently and had better tools..

For now I need to rely on hack saw, files, cheapo drill press and flux core MIG welder from HF. (I use a professional welder for critical parts so no worries there.)

 

[dan filipi]

So your rig is all custom built?
That is tooo cool.

Backyard projects are my favorite to check out at the shows. Anyone can buy a pre made and bolt it on but to fabricate it all yourself now that's an achievement :salute:

 

[skiri251]

Yes. It is all custom hand built by me with hack saw, drill press, files, and MIG welder. (Critical welding was done by a pro. I don't want it to break up on freeways. LOL)
Now it became the main part of my motorcycle hobby. Unfortunately not much riding but fiddling with them in a garage.

 

[fastmover83]

Before they started making reasonable prices chop saws, I used an old table saw with a 9" metal cutting blade. You don't want to use a good saw though, because the hot sparks will eat it up quickly. I think I bought mine for $5.00 at a yard sale.

 

[skiri251]

$5 is a good price.
Now I want to upgrade my cheapo HF MIG welder. Thinking about used ones on eBay or CL. Any recommendations for brand/model?
I have 220V outlet in my garage (not sure what ampareage).

 

[macka]

$5 is a good price.
Now I want to upgrade my cheapo HF MIG welder. Thinking about used ones on eBay or CL. Any recommendations for brand/model?
I have 220V outlet in my garage (not sure what ampareage).

Lincoln Migpak 180. I saw one on CL a while ago for 300 gently used (looked brand new in the pics)

 

[bk2valve]

I just looked at this thread Skiri....and love your owner-engineered and built rig! That is the best thing about sidecaring...the frustrated engineers that build the dang things...after all, as we say, "why take a perfectly good motorcycle and hang a third wheel off the side somewhere and make it work against all odds!"

I hope we can pull off a camp sometime.... :good:

Makes me want to put up some photos of my beast....
Brian in NM

 

[78AzWing]

Have you aimed the light yet so you don't blind oncoming cage drivers, which could make them come into your lane at a very inopportune moment. Most cage drivers don't drive that well to begin with. :laptop:

 

[GILLT]

I just looked at this thread Skiri....and love your owner-engineered and built rig! That is the best thing about sidecaring...the frustrated engineers that build the dang things...after all, as we say, "why take a perfectly good motorcycle and hang a third wheel off the side somewhere and make it work against all odds!"

I hope we can pull off a camp sometime.... :good:

Makes me want to put up some photos of my beast....
Brian in NM

Brian, put up some photos. I'am sure alot of folks would like to see them. :beg: :beg: :beg:

 

[bk2valve]

Hi GillT....I have some up here:

https://forum.classicgoldwings.com/viewt ... =18&t=2380

Hope you enjoy....it is definitely "Idustroagriballistic" style, Mad Max goes Goth!

Brian