Mini Bike Side Car

[firemanjim]

Like I said..... Start the whole gang..... You just need more rides now....

 

[landuse]

Looking at your vid, if you turn to the right sharply and lean into the turn, will your handle bars not smack against the side car?

 

[2SlickNick]

Looking at your vid, if you turn to the right sharply and lean into the turn, will your handle bars not smack against the side car?

I think the hand grip could and does scrape the horns, but not sidecar itself. on sharp turn right with a lean. I will check that out tomorrow.
I guess I just need to be aware of that.

But the sound mount gas tank does hit the sidecar and acts as a stop.

 

[2SlickNick]

I did attach and ride around the neighborhood yesterday with sidecar. I got a lot of thumbs up from all the neighbors. The Doodle Devil moved the approx 30-40lb sidecar without problems. I borrowed a 145/70-6 tire and rim from go kart.

Left hand turns were great.
Right hand turns not so much.....when you turn right the sidecar want to lean in towards the bike, so you have to lean left and turn the handle bars right.
I mean it works and I will improve on it or make another sidecar.

They say you have to counter steer anyways with leaner sidecar. see here ....

I guess I was suppose to put the lead arm higher than the rear to help this problem.
read here.

HERE is a lot of other great info on building and the dynamics of different sidecars.

Will post pics and vids soon.

 

[ML-TOYS]

If you will be driving slow with it on and him in it the steering may be better shopping kart style. Instead of a fixed forward facing wheel causing friction like having a live axle i would try having the wheel turn like shopping kart. This will make turns easier compared to the sidecar working negative to you.
Well thats just my 2 cents.

 

[2SlickNick]

If you will be driving slow with it on and him in it the steering may be better shopping kart style. Instead of a fixed forward facing wheel causing friction like having a live axle i would try having the wheel turn like shopping kart. This will make turns easier compared to the sidecar working negative to you.
Well thats just my 2 cents.

I do like to speed up on occasion, so caster type would not work for me. Next time I might do the leaner again and follow and adjust plans for a motorcycle leaner (like in above link).

Or I will make a detachable rigid sidecar.

 

[2SlickNick]

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41EWCRfiMwQ&feature=youtu.be

 

[jeeperjoel]

heck yeah! that sidecar turned out great! love the horns

 

[2SlickNick]

heck yeah! that sidecar turned out great! love the horns

Thanks. Now I just need to mount seating, paint, and upholstery. Next side car will be lower so I can lean more.

 

[jeeperjoel]

might be able to slice one side of rubber tubing or fuel line and use it to cover cut edges on barrel

 

[firemanjim]

Before you paint, try something for me.... Move that side car wheel back about 6". It will enhance your steering abilities, if I'm correct..... It puts the tire closer to the same pivot as the rear mini bike tire. In turn, that should make your right turns easier/better.....

 

[n3480h]

Outstanding. Just outstanding, Nick. Your boy is lucky to have such a great dad.

 

[2SlickNick]

Before you paint, try something for me.... Move that side car wheel back about 6". It will enhance your steering abilities, if I'm correct..... It puts the tire closer to the same pivot as the rear mini bike tire. In turn, that should make your right turns easier/better.....

Jim, I believe that to be correct too. If you read one of the links in post 44, there build plans to a leaner sidecar. Even though I discovered this site after my build, I am still with tolerance luckly.

It states that the sidecar wheel should idealy be from 0-9 inches from rear bike axle. Depending on situation; I am at 8 inches and the frame and wheel support equal weight distribution.

I think it would turn better further back, but it does what I need it to do for now.
My next sidecar I will build but scale down from their plans and expert advice and yes position wheel farther back.

Sometimes you have to take steps backwards to move forwards in fabrication I know this, but I just want to keep moving forward with this sidecar.

I thank you and everyone here for your suggestions, help, and support.
I will post with updates as I do them.
Not bad for winging my build Lol.

 

[landuse]

Great work Nick. I just have this worry that the horns are too sharp. I would hate something to happen and someone gets hurt by them. I would put some beading on them too, just to be safe

 

[2SlickNick]

Great work Nick. I just have this worry that the horns are too sharp. I would hate something to happen and someone gets hurt by them. I would put some beading on them too, just to be safe

Thanks and true...
I might just do that.

 

[Wimperdink]

I have a doodlebug as well and I love this build. I'm thinking that I might need to do something like this for mine. If you had it to do over, would you go with the solid mount or try to improve on the leaner aspect? Thumbs up.

 

[2SlickNick]

I have a doodlebug as well and I love this build. I'm thinking that I might need to do something like this for mine. If you had it to do over, would you go with the solid mount or try to improve on the leaner aspect? Thumbs up.

I would improve the leaner by

- adding heims
- I would start the build at the frame and bracket mounts. then build and design the frame from there to account for things being square with the bikes frame.
- I would move sidecar wheel back 6 inches
-not use the 55 gal drum and designs custom sidecar.
-add shocks


The leaner is worth it for safety ( no chair lift)and comfort.

Next side car will be better.

 

[Poboy kartman]

No doubt it will be better next time around...but my hat is off to you sir....for one heck of a good job first go round....

What a great world this would be if every kid had a father like you.....

Merry Christmas. Nick.....and God Bless.....

 

[2SlickNick]

Wow thanks Doug! Appreciate the love.
It seems to be only way to combine my love for building, riding go karts, and family.
Fun for all when garaage is empty. And the sun is out.
Too much egg nog last night

 

[Wimperdink]

The heims, I assume would be to adjust the alignment between the sidecar and bike at the hinge point? Also, with the shocks, hinge the front of the sidecar and put shocks between the back of the car and the frame?

I considered the shocks in my first inspiration to build as I have a couple of old motorcycle shocks sitting in my garage, but they may be too heavy for the application.