help with sidecar appreciated

[colin]

Can anyone hep me! I have just attached a bigger sidecar to the wifes cx (did have a single seater sidecar on it). Just took it down the road and the front of the bike tipped in towards the sidecar, now i think it might be cause the attachment wasn't tight enough but the wife thinks its because it might need a fourth attachment from the sidecar to the bike. :D

Any ideas or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Colin :D

[bad toad]

can you post a piccy of the combo??? it might help! i,ve run combos fer years (kiddies) :D

[colin]

Can do so in the morning as its a bit dark and i don't have a flash, but if it helps its a Canterbury. :D

[colin]

right then i've just run outside with a halogen lamp and took some pics, not very good but i think you can see enough. :D

[Blackjack]

No front lower mount?

Not good....

When you say you attached it, did you just bolt it on, or did you measure things like the lead, toe in, lean out and so on?

Sidecars are sort of similar to race cars (I can't believe I just said that!) they need to be set up right if they're going to go round corners.

Actually, thinking about it, they need setting up if they're going to go in a straight line too...

[bad toad]

that dont look right mate im lookin fer a link to help yer set up!! save me trying to type it here so you can understand!!! :D

[colin]

Measured the toe in, lean out etc. How to you mean it doesn't look right, what doesn't look right?

Cheers

Colin :D

[johnr]

DO NOT RIDE THAT ON THE ROAD! that is a dangerous machine you have there. you need a front lower mounting.on the cx this is difficult cos the engine is a stressed member with no frame tubes to hang the chair from. you will need to make or have made a subframe that will go down from the front l/h top engine mount and curve below the motor and then attatch to the l/h side riders footpeg mounting. on its way round, it can connect onto a conveniently placed lug on the side of the crankcases that is just crying out to have a bolt through it! then you will have something to attatch a lower front sidecar mounting to. you risk having a serious accident using it as it is, so dont!!! sidecar mounts are subject to immense stresses and strains, and the minimum you need is 4, front upper and lower, and , rear uper and lower. be careful where on the cx frame you connect them to as well, cos its a pressed steel frame and doesnt ideally lend itself to sidecar duty. having said that, i did many many thousands of miles on mine with no bother, but i had a subframe for my lower front.

[colin]

Ah well the missus was right then. Thanks for that, the old sidecar had a mount that attached to the two lugs on the bottom front of the cx engine so i will use that. Thanks once again. :D

[johnr]

Ah well the missus was right then. Thanks for that, the old sidecar had a mount that attached to the two lugs on the bottom front of the cx engine so i will use that. Thanks once again. :D

problem is that the cx motor is cast ally, and hanging a sidecar off it isnt any better than what you have now. you really NEED a subframe mounted onto the actual frame of the bike, you can attatch it to the lug on the side of the motor as well if you like, but it has to be connected to the steel frame. otherwise, chances are that the ally mounting lug on the motor will let go when it is put under severe stress, and snap off. dont risk it. sidecars are a real hoot to ride, but dont think there arent some serious safety issues with poorly set up outfits too. do it right, remember its your own and your passengers lives at stake if you dont.