Old Suspension Before Changes
This is a 'before' photo of the sidecar suspension changes.. quite the difference now.
Date/Time: 2005:01:16 17:04:29
This is a 'before' photo of the sidecar suspension changes.. Due to a ground clearance issue at speed with the swingarm trailing edge/swingarm pivot making contact with a road cross-cut, the shock tower ended up bending inwards into the wheel-well, and the welded-on swingarm bearing housing was twisted.
This required a complete re-think of the sidecar suspension, as it was damaged badly enough that it needed to be replaced, instead of fixed.
The photo shows the suspension as it appeared during winter 2004-2005, with my swaybar add-on modification from that season.
Frame Changes #1
Starting to add on to the previously existing swaybar mount on the sidecar frame, this is the new location for the sidecar swingarm pivot point.
Date/Time: 2006:01:30 21:57:19
Starting to add on to the previously existing swaybar mount on the sidecar frame, this is the new location for the sidecar swingarm pivot point.
Spindle Mount #1
This is the start of the wheel spindle/swingarm assembly, seen inside the wheel assembly. Fabrication is of 1/4" plate steel, cut to desired dimensions with hack-saw, files, and lots of patience.
Date/Time: 2006:01:30 21:57:47
This is the start of the wheel spindle/swingarm assembly, seen inside the wheel assembly. Fabrication is of 1/4" plate steel, cut to desired dimensions with hack-saw, files, and lots of patience.
Spindle Mount #2
The same piece, after welding. Much work has gone into this at this point.
Date/Time: 2006:02:03 20:10:18
The same piece, after welding. Much work has gone into this at this point.
Sidecar Swingarm #1
The swingarm is making progress in this photo. At this point, i am starting to figure out how my swingarm suspension is going to work (I'm winging it as i go)
Date/Time: 2006:02:15 17:38:48
The swingarm is making progress in this photo. At this point, i am starting to figure out how my swingarm suspension is going to work (I'm winging it as i go)
Frame Changes #2
At the same time that i was building up the swingarm/spindle assembly for the new wheel, I had been working on the new pivot point for the trailing link swingarm. Note that the old suspension/swingarm is still in place, so that i don't lose track of the
Date/Time: 2006:02:15 17:34:58
At the same time that i was building up the swingarm/spindle assembly for the new wheel, I had been working on the new pivot point for the trailing link swingarm. The old suspension/swingarm is still in place, so that i don't lose track of the center point of the wheel in relation to the sidecar frame. You can see my 'creative' method of holding it all together before welding - aluminium plates holding everything in position with 6mm machine screws! Definitely unorthodox, when you consider that clamps and vice-grips would have done well enough.
Sidecar Swingarm #2
The swingarm assembly is rapidly taking shape at this point. The swingarm is welded to the bearing pivot tube, and is in place on the pivot boss welded onto the swaybar mount.
Date/Time: 2006:02:21 19:35:29
The swingarm assembly is rapidly taking shape at this point. The swingarm is now welded to the bearing pivot tube, and is in place on the pivot boss seated onto the swaybar mount. I'm still playing with shock angles, and mount distances, and the swaybar mount is not fully welded at this point. The stock swingarm has obviously been removed, but it's pivot point hasn't been cut away yet.
New Shock Design #1
The shock mount fabricated, and welded into position.
Date/Time: 2006:03:10 18:56:16
The shock mount fabricated, and welded into position. The shock being used is for the dummy mounting is the stock bandit rear shock. I would be using the Progressive Suspension 418's i couldn't use on the leading link front-end project from last winter, for the final fitting and assembly.
Sidecar Swingarm #3
Another photo showing the swaybar and swingarm in position, with the swaybar linkage and mounts welded into place.
Date/Time: 2006:03:10 18:54:40
Another photo showing the swaybar and swingarm in position, with the swaybar linkage and mounts welded into place. The swingarm boss had been fully welded into the swaybar mount, since the spindle center had been determined.
Shock Linkage
This was my solution to the bottom shock mount on the sidecar. I needed something that allowed differing angles of the shock as it compressed and lengthened, as the shock is mounted at an angle into the wheel hub assembly to allow for clearance from the
Date: 11/16/2006
This was my solution to the bottom shock mount on the sidecar. I needed something that allowed differing angles of the shock as it compressed and lengthened, as the shock is mounted at an angle into the wheel hub assembly to allow for clearance from the sidecar frame. The solution was a 3/4" aircraft quality Hiem Joint sourced at a specialty bearing shop. Turned out to be a very good, if expensive solution ($100.00 for this!).
Sidecar Swingarm #4
Another view of the swingarm, to show how the Hiem Joint connects to the swingarm/spindle backing plate via a reinforced 1/4" plate steel bracket.
Date/Time: 2006:02:15 17:56:34
Another view of the swingarm, to show how the Hiem Joint connects to the swingarm/spindle backing plate via a reinforced 1/4" plate steel bracket.
Painting Parts #1
The swingarm assembly all painted up and looking pretty.
Date/Time: 2006:03:16 21:13:19
The swingarm assembly all painted up and looking pretty.
Painting Parts #2
Another pretty swingarm photo. Too bad all the nicely painted red paint can hardly be seen behind the 14" cast aluminium wheel when it is bolted in place.
Date/Time: 2006:03:16 20:42:18
Another pretty swingarm photo. Too bad all the nicely painted red paint can hardly be seen behind the 14" cast aluminium wheel when it is bolted in place.
Suspension Complete #1
The sidecar swingarm project essentially complete. Of course, you cannot see any of this with the body on the frame.
Date/Time: 2006:03:19 12:04:39
The sidecar swingarm project essentially complete. Of course, you cannot see any of this with the body on the frame.
Suspension Complete #2
The completed project, facing the cast aluminium wheel.
Date/Time: 2006:03:19 12:03:41
The completed project, facing the cast aluminium wheel.
'Bandito' Hub #1
This was the replacement for the failing original car tire setup from Harry Tarzain. This hub assembly is machined with double row bearings, and is meant to bolt onto a specific Honda Civic 15" aluminium wheel. Thank you again, Bill Ballou.
Date: 11/16/2006
This was the replacement for the failing original car tire setup from Harry Tarzain. This hub assembly is machined with double row bearings, and is meant to bolt onto a specific Honda Civic 15" aluminium wheel. Thank you again, Bill Ballou.
'Bandito' Hub #2
Another view of the completed hub assembly. It mounts a 44 tooth ZX10 sprocket on HD handlebar rubber-mounted carriers!
Date: 11/16/2006
Another view of the completed hub assembly. It mounts a 44 tooth ZX10 sprocket on HD handlebar rubber-mounted carriers!
'Bandito' Hub #3
This is the same Honda Civic wheel type that i used, but being used on a Honda CBR1100XX rig. These rims were hard to come by, originally equipping 2002 EX trim-level Honda Civics in the American market.
Date/Time: 2005:08:08 17:26:41
This is the same Honda Civic wheel type that i used, but being used on a Honda CBR1100XX rig. These rims were hard to come by, originally equipping 2002 EX trim-level Honda Civics in the American market.
Sidecar Swingarm #5
A head-on view of the suspension. The 14"-5.5" rim, spindle, and brake rotor (radically turned down) was taken off of an Asuna Sunfire (a GM Isuzu rebadge). It mounts a 185/55R14 tire. A definite handling difference with more rubber to t
Date/Time: 2006:03:19 12:01:06
A head-on view of the suspension. The 14"-5.5" rim, spindle, and brake rotor (radically turned down) was taken off of an Asuna Sunfire (a GM Isuzu rebadge). It mounts a 185/55R14 tire.
A definite handling difference with more rubber to the road than the former 145R12 trailer wheel. This photo definitely shows the tight tolerances involved to make everything work.
Roll Out #1
The first of the season roll-out. I left the body off for a short period of time, until I was sure that any gremlins could be observed, and dealt with.
Date/Time: 2006:03:26 12:29:53
The first of the season roll-out. I left the body off for a short period of time, until I was sure that any gremlins could be observed, and dealt with.
Lighting #1
Another Winter project. I'd been unhappy with the lack of lighting on the sidecar. I decided to mount one higher on the sidecar body, and found a 7 1/4" cruiser headlight for cheap at a HD customiser shop, and mounted it with a homebuilt assembly t
Date/Time: 2006:04:17 17:41:15
Another Winter project. I'd been unhappy with the lack of lighting on the sidecar. I decided to mount one higher on the sidecar body, and found a 7 1/4" cruiser headlight for cheap at a HD customiser shop, and mounted it with a homebuilt assembly to the sidecar body side. A much improved, and very visible location for much needed illumination.
Lighting #2
Overall view of how the front end looks with the brights on.
Date/Time: 2006:04:17 17:41:39
Overall view of how the front end looks with the brights on.
Vanity Photo #1
Vanity photo #1, taken after the body was installed.
Date/Time: 2006:05:20 13:01:04
Vanity photo #1, taken after the body was installed.
Vanity Photo #4
Vanity Photo #4.
Date/Time: 2006:05:20 12:58:37
Vanity Photo #4.
You can see a red lense under the nose of the sidecar. It was a short-lived home-wired "night rider" light scanner that shorted out. It's no longer on the Rig.
Vanity Photo #6 - Project completion.
Vanity Photo #6. This is the final revision of the rig, and the difference between when i started the project three years ago, and on completion is like night and day. It handles like a three-wheeled asymetrical slotcar.
Date/Time: 2006:05:20 12:57:39
Vanity Photo #6. This is the final revision of the rig, and the difference between when i started the project three years ago, and on completion is like night and day. It handles like a three-wheeled asymetrical slotcar.
