Ironhead 83 XLH w/Velorex 562

[Ferrous Head]

Oh yeah, if you start riding a bit hard the rear end will slide. But it also puts a serious load on the wheel. They will twist the swing arm. I no longer have one. They are just too weak.

I can follow other sidecars and watch their wheels "cock over" as they are going through turns. I also see a number of broken spokes - some with ALL of them broken from this force. I run a solid rear wheel.

Likewise your front forks and wheel will take a beating.

[ferretface]

Originally Posted by Ferrous Head

Looking at many other sidecars over the years and talking to the frame builders I knew I believe the sidecar wheel needs to be between 11 and 14 inches from the rear wheel axle.

Mine is right about 10.5in.

The sidecar wheel should be vertical.

It is vertical to the sidecar frame now. And the frame is set up to be level.

SOme toe in is necessary to help the sidecar steer straight. It's the same reason why you have toe in on cars. You don't need much but must have some. Yes, it scrubs the tire a bit. A lot of toe in will scrub the tire faster. Not a big deal.

Sidecar tire wear is not even a consideration for me. It won't get used that much.

You do NOT want frame breakages at speed. Biggest point of stress is the neck area on the frame. Keep a close eye on that.

The cycle frame neck???

Weight on the platform helps in left (right for you ?) turns. You will discover just how slow you need to go around a tight left (right) hander early on. Without a passenger it's not going to be very fast. But learn to get around corners lifting the chair wheel off the ground. Throttle control become very important here.

With a passenger they can move around. That effects the balance of the bike and an inexperienced passenger can really upset the apple cart (so to speak) if they freak out when that wheel lifts. Get them used to it gradually.

I don't expect to be carrying passengers. (There aren't any left). I was expecting to carry ballast in the form of 50 or 60 # sandbags, one for sure, two maybe. I'd start with two.

I'm working on fitting the seat now. The PO bodged the mounting for it, I'll have to fabricate some pieces.

[Serious Blac]

You don't need a sand bag..............the toolbox works just fine
+! on broken spokes. I Russia they just weld steel plates in instead on old Soviet stuff. Might try it actually.

[rokytnji]

Just in case you wish to upgrade the suspension on yours in the future.
https://sidecar.com/forum/topic/bolt...-plus-__13209/

[ferretface]

Thanks for the two above posts. My 562 has been modified to use a 19" H-D spoked aluminum front wheel with 3/4" axle but I'm always interested in other peoples innovations.

[ferretface]

Originally Posted by rokytnji

Just in case you wish to upgrade the suspension on yours in the future.
https://sidecar.com/forum/topic/bolt...-plus-__13209/

Sadly, according to page 2, Lonnie passed away. A great loss, as innovative fabricators are few and far between.