Sidecar winter project

Hey Fred,
is that a drum brake on the chair?

Hi Skull,
yes. Velorex sidecars leave the factory with a drum brake.
Just the brake and a cable to work it. The rest is up to the installer.
I rigged mine with a separate pedal next to the bike's rear brake pedal.
Plus an ex-Toyota parking brake lever connected to it.
If I remember correctly, OZ rules say a rig must have a parking brake
so (apart from the sidecar being on the wrong side for OZ traffic) the
parking brake lever's ratcheting action would have made my rig
street legal there?
 
I understand how and why people love dogs, but I believe a motorbike with a side hack is much cheaper over time. Not to mention, what better way to enjoy the company of a dog?
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...and I note that he is wearing his "doggles". We have a pair for our Golden Doodle "Millie" and she loves bombing around in my Miata with me while wearing her doggles.
 
just thought this a good place to share.
norton hacka.jpg
 
And more doggles!

They really are cool: there is a strap around the back of the dog’s head and one that goes under his/her chin. The whole assembly is very secure and Millie wears her set quite happily as go belting through the County with the top down. Here’s a photo - $17.99 at the PetSmart store.

29A8F86B-8836-4BBB-91A3-C9D4B88B64C0.jpeg
 
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And more doggles!

They really are cool: there is a strap around the back of the dog’s head and one that goes under his/her chin. The whole assembly is very secure and Millie wears her set quite happily as go belting through the County with the top down. Here’s a photo - $17.99 at the PetSmart store.

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Thought I’d add a few progress pictures of the HitchHiker Sidecar project.Anxious to do some subtle 75b gold and white striped design on the star black.A ways to go before that.Stay warm and healthy all.Think Spring.
 

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As I look through the pictures so far, I laugh.We had to cut the tree out of it to save it.What a hoot that day!
 

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Not sure if you're aware of it or not, but alloy rims aren't the best choice for a sidecar bike, they flex too much. This makes the spokes much more prone to loosening up or even breaking. Steel rims would be a better choice.
 
Not sure if you're aware of it or not, but alloy rims aren't the best choice for a sidecar bike, they flex too much. This makes the spokes much more prone to loosening up or even breaking. Steel rims would be a better choice.
Hi 5T,
my BSA Gold Flash/Garrard rig used steel rim wire wheels and the rear wheel's spokes would break for a pastime.
My XS650/SofA rig ditto when it was running on it's aluminum rim wire wheels.
Besides avoiding spoke breakage, switching back to the XS650's stock 7-spoke cast wheels so it'd run tubeless let me temporarily
fix flat tires at the kerbside with a can of FixAflat to get the rig home rather than doing a proper repair at the scene.
 
Not sure if you're aware of it or not, but alloy rims aren't the best choice for a sidecar bike, they flex too much. This makes the spokes much more prone to loosening up or even breaking. Steel rims would be a better choice.
I’ll be using the wheel set up that was original to this Hitch Hiker for this project. I will keep in mind your advice on the steel wheel use.Thnx
 
I'm not talking about the sidecar wheel. It's alloy, but a cast mag type, so it should be fine. I mean the wheels on the bike. Those aluminum rims will most likely give you spoke issues, at least on the rear anyway.
 
I'm not talking about the sidecar wheel. It's alloy, but a cast mag type, so it should be fine. I mean the wheels on the bike. Those aluminum rims will most likely give you spoke issues, at least on the rear anyway.
Interesting tip.I’ll definitely keep a close eye on the spoke tensions and fortunately have steel wheel/s if needed to change out.
 
Interesting tip.I’ll definitely keep a close eye on the spoke tensions and fortunately have steel wheel/s if needed to change out.

Hi magoo,
better yet swap the XS650 onto the alternative stock 7-spoke cast aluminum wheels.
The cast rims will run with tubeless tires so you can ride home embedded nails and all rather than coping with a kerb-side tire repair.
 
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