Sidecars?

GoldenMotor.com

fasteddy

Well-Known Member
Feb 13, 2009
7,470
4,954
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British Columbia Canada
Captzuzu,
There are stories of gas reacting with copper over time. You can get copper pipe up to 6" that I know of and solder on copper caps but it is very expensive. Call a plumbing company and tell them what you want and see if they have any short pieces they will sell you or try used metal dealers. See if you can get some used caps as well. They are darned expensive.

If you go with steel tubing this company has caps for 5" and 6" pipe at a reasonable price. www.bungking.com They have weld in bungs as well so you can attach your tank to the frame. Go to the header and click on tanks and then oil tanks.
You should be able to find 5" or 6" pipe at a muffler shop that repairs diesel exhaust or a metal supplier. Used metal dealers are a good bet once again.

Hope this helps.

Steve.
 

silverbear

The Boy Who Never Grew Up
Jul 9, 2009
8,325
670
113
northeastern Minnesota
Dave,
Here we are, Aaniimoosh The Wonder Dog and Silverbear. I've improved on her doggles since these photos last summer. She doesn't mind wearing them, knowing it is part of the deal, just like me with a helmet. I don't yet have a photo of us actually riding (although a lot of other people do)... pretty cool when her ears catch the wind and stick out like little wings. I'm sure we go a bit faster then. The bike has decals and head badge saying "American Flyer". The bike is a 1950 Schwinn Panther with a 99cc four stroke engine. Sidecar was made from a 17' Grumman canoewith much help from Fasteddy.
Moosh tends to smile when she's happy and excited. I would love to have a photo of us riding, with her grinning and ears aloft. I'd get a poster made and smile inside every time I looked at it. What a great dog she is...
SB
 

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DaveM

New Member
Aug 22, 2010
86
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0
Adelaide, Australia
Hi again,
Silverbear your dog looks like a really smart girl, she is just lovely! I have saved both of your pics.
I love your MB and sidecar, they are really very good, look really nice. I have read all your posts concerning your builds.
Here are some pics of Nells first ride in the completed sidecar and one just of my MB and sidecar.

Cheers,
Dave.
 

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silverbear

The Boy Who Never Grew Up
Jul 9, 2009
8,325
670
113
northeastern Minnesota
Dave,
Thank you for your kind words. I agree with Intrepid Wheel Woman that your bike looks great and the red rims add a lot. Please keep us updated with the adventures of Nell and her sidecar.
Curt,
Some very cool sidecars on that site. I like the vintage ones best, of course. There are even a couple wicker ones.
SB
 

DaveM

New Member
Aug 22, 2010
86
0
0
Adelaide, Australia
Hi again to everyone,
I have had a great day riding my MB and sidecar with Nell on board, lots of looks, double takes and smiling faces.

I really have the velocar bug now and have spent the last two days planning my next build.
I want to be able to take my bike remove the forks and handle bars and to be able to add the velocar conversion as a bolt on unit. The conversion should take half an hour max.

Wish me luck I am going to metal supply store on Monday for some lengths of 1 inch tubing to start the project.
It will be black painted tubing and the same red rims and white walls. I have planned to have a ladder bar construction chassis. It may not work out but I am going to give it a damn good try, failure to me is not to try and have a go.

Thank you to everyone for their support and kind words on my sidecar build, I am still unable to believe how good the chair I picked up for free off the side of the road as rubbish has become a nice looking sidecar.

Cheers,
Dave.
 
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fasteddy

Well-Known Member
Feb 13, 2009
7,470
4,954
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British Columbia Canada
Dave,
You have succeeded giving the sidecar a most definate early 1900's look and feel. Absolute first rate job indeed. A most fitting ride for both you and Nelly.

Are you going to use the bike to power the velocar?

Steve.
 

DaveM

New Member
Aug 22, 2010
86
0
0
Adelaide, Australia
Hi Steve,
Thank you for your kind words, yes that was going to be the plan, take my bike remove the forks and front wheel and bolt the velocar conversion on. I have another cruiser frame to use for the build but I really am excited about a bolt on conversion.

The throttle cable will have to be removed by unscrewing the top and removing the slide and the velocar conversion having its own throttle cable and slide and just screwing it back into the carby I can remove the clutch cable from the handle bars easily so the velocar will need a clutch cable end that can connect to the clutch cable of the bike.

I will have to start doing some research on front end geometry, camber, caster, toe-in etc to make sure it steers well, for me the research is part of the fun.

When I started thinking about a sidecar I read everything I could on this forum, followed every link, saved every photo I could find before I even thought to begin. Thank you to everyone who posted anything about sidecars.

Cheers,
Dave.
 
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walt

New Member
Apr 21, 2009
2
0
0
Austin, tx.
Here is a photo of the sidecar I built for my grandson. I need to get a larger rear sprocket to give more power at slow engine speed. For now, I just peddle him around.
 

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DaveM

New Member
Aug 22, 2010
86
0
0
Adelaide, Australia
Walt,

That's a nice looking sidecar, the little fellow looks like he is really enjoying himself. People ask me how fast I go with my sidecar attached and I always say, slowly, especially when I have my best friend on board. It's all about being seen not going fast.

Cheers,
DaveM.