Re: [Honda-C70] sidecar info CORRECTION

My post was not an attempt to dissuade anybody from using a sidecar, just a note from an experienced biker/designer regarding approaching the use of one casually. Bill S.

On Jul 9, 2011, at 2:31 PM, Al Olme wrote:

>
>
> From: Bill Sandifer
> Subject: Re: [Honda-C70] sidecar info
>
> For those still pondering sidecars and handling, this from my friend who
> built a sidecar for his Moto Guzzi. Bill S.
>
> "Squirrely" is probably being kind. Although my rig feels fairly safe at
> most speeds... keeping in mind that it can't make ANY sudden
> movements/direction changes/hard braking/etc. The dynamic moments are a
> physics nightmare. Would be better with brakes on the sidecar wheel. Ural
> makes theirs that way.
>
> [Al Olme] The foregoing statement, related to us through Bill, was doubtless
> made by a person who.
>
> a. Has a poorly set up sidecar
>
> b. Has little or no experience driving a sidecar
>
> c. Got really frightened the first time he tried to drive his sidecar
> rig.
>
> The facts are that sidecars are both predictable and stable if set up
> properly. Experienced drivers can accommodate emergency situations at least
> as well as solo bike riders. The dynamics of driving any asymmetric vehicle
> take a while to both understand and control, however, once a little [and I'm
> talking about less than an hour of driving a well set up rig] experience is
> gained the inertial and directional oddities are readily dealt with and
> indeed become a subconscious function. However, if you have a poorly set up
> rig you will constantly be fighting it to track straight and behave well,
> you'll experience front wheel shake and will veer off to the right when
> accelerating and to the left under braking [with a sidecar mounted on the
> right] and you'll hate it and possibly make statements like you read above.
>
> If you fail to take the time the time to learn to drive a sidecar outfit
> because you think that since you can ride a motorcycle you should be able to
> drive a sidecar rig, YOU WILL PROBABLY CRASH and at least be as unhappy as
> Bill's friend. Sidecars are a lot of fun, they are safer than solo bikes
> and they offer a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT DRIVING EXPERIENCE. If you want to
> drive a rig, get some education. At the very least get "Driving a Sidecar
> Outfit" by David Hough, read it and do the exercises. Better, go the
> Evergreen Safety Council Sidecar/Trike Education Program [STEP] at
> http://www.esc.org/step_training.php and check out classes that may be
> available in your area.
>
> Regards brakes ion sidecars; I have two rigs, one has a sidecar brake and
> the other does not. There's not all that much difference. Did you believe
> your parents when they said that motorcycles were dangerous and you
> shouldn't even consider riding? Find an experienced sidecar driver to talk
> with, not the guy at the bike shop who doesn't own a sidecar. Consider
> going to the United Sidecar Association rally in Dayton, OH at the end of
> this month. You'll find out more about sidecars than you ever thought
> possible. Not everyone there will agree on every point but they all will
> agree that sidecars are a great addition to a motorcycle.
>
> Al Olme
> Minneapolis, Minnesota
> BMW R90/2 Ural sidecar
> BMW K100rs EML Sport sidecar
> Honda C70 sidecar
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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C70 Passport Not Running Right?
1970-73 C70 Honda Service Manual: http://tinyurl.com/6ebwtw
1970-73 C70 Troubleshooting Guide:
http://tinyurl.com/6ebwtw (scroll to sec.7.1 page 101.jpg)
1980-83 C70 Honda Service Manual: http://tinyurl.com/hu42c
1980-81 C70 Troubleshooting Guide:
http://tinyurl.com/hu42c (scroll to sec.18-1 page 170.jpg)
1982-83 C70 Troubleshooting Guide:
http://tinyurl.com/hu42c (scroll to sec. 20-28 page 205.jpg)

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1982-83 C70 Maintenance Schedule: http://tinyurl.com/hw35c

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