The R18 sidecar thread

[Petrus]

Decided that the front axle mounting will nót do. Ergo a fork brace.
I knéw I had seen a design for old airheads which might work and found it.
Sent them an email and if they don´t have or do not fabricate one for the R18 will have it done locally.

 

[Petrus]

@R2K how is your build coming along?

Having emptied 6 tank loads pushing the limits while driving mainly challenging mountain roads I have some experience based pointers.
The first and foremost is that the tractor is very heavy , dominating the weight of a sidecar. Especially a none too heavy design like your Watsonian.
I pushed the envelope even further with a Velorex 562. In retrospect I pushed it too far and should have gone for the slightly heavier 563. It means my experiences are in extremis.

The crux of that tractor weight is that you will need minimal lean out.
Depending on the track you opt for you need more or less toe in. The more toe in the more 'tyre hop' inducing low speed wobble.

Next is that the torque is massive and the wider the track the larger the moments on the mountings. I strongly suggest a fifth mounting at an angle triangulating the others.

The narrower the track width, the more nimble, or rather less lardy, the rig is. The negative is that narrower is also less moment keeping the sidecar wheel down. I therefore have ballasted the tub. This I made easily removed so with passenger the load will be not vastly different and thus the behavior much the same.

Although the low c.o.g. is a strong positive, the massive weight of the tractor dictates the steering whether left or right. You will probably find that you naturally tend to use your weight to (counter)balance. I suggest a saddle/seat which allows you moving the bum.

I will report on my latest experience; the front fork stiffness. This too is why you want as little toe in as you can get away with.

 

[Petrus]

Thought long and hard about a seeming detail: To badge or not to badge.
The tub imo 'needed' a BMW badge as front and rear look rather bare.
The chrome border on the sidecar mud guard highlighted the effect of such a detail.
The issue is that a BMW badge is fake on a Velorex sidecar. I positively lóath that.
Decided on a compromise.
In the photos they seem, especially up front, a bit larger than the 45 mm they are.

 

[Petrus]

Coming Saturday there is a classic vehicle event not far up the road. Yes, anóther one
Seeing I am multiple functions board member of the local club I háve to go to sóme. This one is because on a Saturday and thus not saturated (pun intended) with public. Also the route up there is as good as it gets. Also it is a stone throw from the Neanderthal cave at el boquete de Zafarraya.

Anyway, it is the sidecar thread so.
Although the rig is a new build, it is universally perceived as vintage and entered as a replica. I know, Í don´t agree but this time I was contacted with the express request to show it.
I would buy the below 'accessory' or equivalent just for these events if it were possible here

 

[Petrus]

Right;
- found/ordered a slightly scaled down but realistic enough 98K 'replica'
- the seller of the front fork aid does not respond so dropped the design off at the local workshop

 

[Petrus]

Meanwhile, on the parallel slow fire...

Still had the desire fot a solo bike. Lighter than the R18 but retro and a lot lighter. Enter the R45.
I already háve two solo bikes though; Vespas more suited to the local roads than an R45. A dear lady friend convinced me. Exit the R45.

Back to the R18 sidecar.
In a way it is an adjustment, integration into the rest of 'slow life´ here out in the mountainous heartland of andaluciá
Hold that thought.

In the previous century I ráced motorbikes all over Europe.
Also enjoyed lure coursing my sighthounds.
Cycled quite a bit to keep all fit for racing.
Also kept and bred tortoises.

Fast forward 26 years into thís century. Me adjusting to a slow(er) life.
The Italian Greyhound chases cats and rabbits all on his own and is a couch potato when not, so doing the daily cycling just for my own fitness.
Leaves the tortoises.
Really, réally like the two I have. Totally befits a slow life routine; getting up early before they do, prepare their breakfast, then a bath when they start walkabout.
It totally makes me feel better about slowing down. It transfers to enjoying the sidecar in a 'slow' way.

So, there is the R18 rig.
A slow life embracing piccolo.
The young wife exit, R45 exit.
Lóve looking after my 'Ninja's´ and keep even the garage floor squeeky clean.
But... but... not quite yet thát slowing down!

Early this morning topped 60 km/h on a descend on the mountain bike.
Have nó medical issues/medication.
Put myself of the list for a proper adventure trip 1.000 kms into Morocco on Vespas.
Bought myself three more tortoises.
I blame it on the R18 rig
Also blame it on the rig ánd the above mentioned lady friend that an Aldabran puppy tortoise is nót one of them three.

La vida es bella.

 

[Petrus]

Today a classic vehicle event further up, east, in the mountains.
Only 65 kms but over local road just on the north face of the range, staying between 650 and 850 m altitude and áll twisties. As the road is simply modern surface on an áncient route the twist and turns predate motorized vehicle, heck even the wheel!, they follow the topography. Because the road is hardly if at all laid on any base, there is a lot of movent and the tarmac torn, sagged etc.
It makes for a wónderful route with stunning views.
Also extremely challenging for a sidecar. Averaging less than 60 km/h but whát a work out!

Was already quite warm when I left at 11.00 so sorry no jacket; a nice cotton shirt, sleeves rolled up.

Great event btw. Typical inland. Combined with the local feria and all réal. Nothing commercial, no tourists.
The participants all from the local region and the cars reflect the real world here half a century ago.
There were twó R7s. That is the R5 with 4 doors and a boot.
Also two Seat 850 4 doors.
And spanish made über Panda pick-up.

As I represented our local classic club. I was presented a trophy. An atypically nice one this time. Thus I presented it to two die hard members who visite every event.
Even without the route being WOW or the event refreshingly fun, just the joy of those two was worthwhile going.

The return trip more of a work out still; same route but considerably hotter. I was drénched
Though I lóathe the 'style' of wearing a sleeveless waitcoat over a bare torso, I do get it.

 

[Petrus]

Went for a short spin. By the time I had the chores done, it was too hot go cycling so... sidecar!

After some nice rolling trough the countryside here, took a detour to the industrial estate a bit up the road. Is about deserted on a Sunday and under the mid day sun the odd sole stays inside.

It is véry comforting to experience how difficult it is to get the chair up and how predictable, smooth managing/correcting is.

On the way back passed under a few trees, brushed some and immediately felt the ants bite my neck, back. Stopped in the next shade, shirt off, problem sorted.
That sofar this year makes a handful of wasps, ditto beetles and now ants stinging//biting.

 

[R2K]

Holy insects what kind of ants hang on branches and bit? We have no such insect in the US. We have very small ticks that can hang on branches and drop on you and attach and suck blood and could infect us with limes decease. How big are these ants and what are they called? The closest I have traveled to where you live is Barcelona and loved the Paella and the Rumba

 

[Petrus]

Holy insects what kind of ants hang on branches and bit? We have no such insect in the US. We have very small ticks that can hang on branches and drop on you and attach and suck blood and could infect us with limes decease. How big are these ants and what are they called? The closest I have traveled to where you live is Barcelona and loved the Paella and the Rumba

There are quite a few ant species that protect the plant they live on. I am sure NorthAmeria has a fair share.

The region here is NÓTHING like Cataluña. Also the southern mountain range is not just a climate and water divide, it also is a tourist devide

On my morning cycling visit quite a few local bars on the route. The nicest ones with the best coffee, best tapas, most friendly hosts; best vfm enter the mental list.
Same thing of course on trips further afield with motorized transport.

Next is a Vespa club night ride. Going up one route, back another. All véry local interior roads a bit too taxing for a solo R18 really.
Last year I came back cutting across even thát and the absolutely fabulous route was already tricky on the 125 Vespa. Would not do it with the solo R18, will do with the sidecar.

On my short list for the sidecar is going around the south side of the Iznajar lake, from Iznajar to Cuevas de San Marcos. Go for coffee in Estacion de Salinas, up to Iznajar, left along the lake track, through San Marcos and have lunch in Encinas Reales or a bit further on in Benameji.

Also on the sidecar short list is a visit to the Real Santuario de Maria Santissima de Araceli. It is a challenging but very pretty route up and the sanctuary is

Tapas most times still for free here btw. The excellent Venta in the village up the road now charges 1,25€ but with 3 you have had lunch
If lunching or dining there I know I will take enough left over home for a free lunch

btw @R2K how is your's coming along?

 

[Petrus]

Hhhhót out here today.
Over 30 C. before 09.00.
Now at a venta for coffee and water. Have the backpack loaded with metal cased laptop and tortoise green harvesting stuff. Pretty hard core on the bicycle but operacion bikini rules.
What that has to do with the threas subject?
Simple. I also almost religiously go out for a daily spin with the rig and in the afternoon heat, when apart from me only mad dogs and Englishmen go out, you can sméll what heats up. Even relatively slow going under load by the rig, the engine does not break a sweat in the least. It is the front tyre which does.
Note to self: Drop by at the workshop about the fork brace.
Right off again....

 

[R2K]

I think the painting is done and should be delivered back to the dealer to attach to the classic.

 

[R2K]

More pictures after reassembly

 

[Petrus]

I think the painting is done and should be delivered back to the dealer to attach to the classic.

Looking

Am véry happy to read this.
Looking forward to mounting details; even more to antics and adventures

The fitting on the sidecar chassis look impressive. The two open tubes are front lower and rear lower. That makes top frop and top rear obvious. AND YOU HAVE THE FIFTH MOUNTING!!!!

 

[HUNTS]

View attachment 21744View attachment 21745View attachment 21746More pictures after reassembly

Where’s the important bit… the dog!?

 

[R2K]

Where’s the important bit… the dog!?

I don’t have a dog but I love them, I just travel too much and have no family. The dog would be alone too much and it won’t be fair to man’s best friend. Can I borrow yours to ride with me?

 

[HUNTS]

I don’t have a dog but I love them, I just travel too much and have no family. The dog would be alone too much and it won’t be fair to man’s best friend. Can I borrow yours to ride with me?

In my job as a dog groomer, I washed/groomed thousands over the last 12 1/2 years. My worst day at work is most people’s best day.

Petrus is onto it.

 

[Petrus]

Petrus is onto it.

training my tortoises next




So that is man's best friend en second best covered. Women have diamonds so them's no worry

 

[Petrus]

....the next episode from the gift that keeps on 'giving'; the wonderful world of wimmins.

This morning the ex+1 volunteered that shé would love being sidecar passenger

We men can understand dogs and certainly tortoises; women... don´t even trý.

She does meet all the criteria though; fits and agile enough the get in/out, financially independent, own home. Attractive as a bonus.
If she were not an ex I would be very pleased to take her along. She is though.

 

[Petrus]

...and ex+1 fell back again.

Meanwhile the dog and tortoises are

Getting on with the GoPro. Have the hardware sorted, the software installed.
Expect a learning curve for recording and probably need help with downloading/uploading because I use Linux.