The Fingertight Racing Sidecar Project

[Henk]

Leave it the way it is, call it engineered flex in an endeavour to make the handling less harsh.

[Pumba]

Yeah, it's all good if you time it so it's slopping the right way as you turn in, not so much if you don't...

Leave it the way it is, call it engineered flex in an endeavour to make the handling less harsh.

Koba what do you reckon. Does the flex make the handling less harsh?

Problem with it all is that the top cap is binding on the steering tube before the top bearing is seated in place. I thought it was ok when I first put it all together, but it is now pretty obvious I was wrong.

Given I got the front end in pieces with all the bearings in an ice cream container I gave it my best shot. I will admit that there were some bits left over at the end, so tell what I should be trying next.

This is the way I had it together.



Here is a close up



In my bin of left over parts there was this seal



Which could go like this



Or there is this one



Which looks a bit like this



Opinions please, am I missing something else?

I guess the other option is to make up a spacer.

[koba]

That looks horrible.

I'd make a spacer to pack some pre-load on to the bearings for the GP.
That's only because it's 2 weeks away and I know you don't own an engineering shop.

Long term?
I'd be quite keen to weld in an entirely different steering head, that thing is build for a flexy commuter 100, a sidecar ain't the same; build that part stronger than the latest superbike!

As much as that thing looks like it is built for stock-car racing it actually handles OK (Apart from that terrible float) so get that sorted first.

Next is more rounded crashy bits and drilling 6500 holes.

[Henk]

And taking away some of the sharp, every time I've climbed on that thing I thought that if it went wrong it could hurt, a lot.

[Pumba]

It gets better when you look at the top "triple clamp"



And the sticks the use as forks

[Pumba]

Good news though

[koba]

Good news though

You might have to be more specific...

[Pumba]

I stole the battery out of my Triumph and threw it in the sidecar. No more battery pack issues or mega push if we stall.

[Drew]

Holy shit, how has that front end not folded under the chair?

We ran a top 'triple clamp' sort of thing, and it bent and distorted beyond belief.

I suggest you knock up a swingarm style front end, and weld the top plate to the uprights. Deep grove ball bearings is what we found that Mr Windle still uses. Bit of a piss around with thin spacers to get it snug, but works nicely.

[racer40]

But Drew it hasnt been upside down as many times as yours LOL

[Gazzza]

Hi Carl, of all the rigs out there yours is the one I would be really keen to have a go on, might also give me some ideas for the RV 90 chair I'm stalled on. Hope you get your front end sorted for the big outing and did you get your new tires fitted?

[Pumba]

That looks horrible........Long term?...........Next is more rounded crashy bits and drilling 6500 holes.

And taking away some of the sharp..............

Yea all that is part if the plan. Just need a time and money tree in the back garden.

Holy shit, how has that front end not folded under the chair?

We ran a top 'triple clamp' sort of thing, and it bent and distorted beyond belief.

I suggest you knock up a swingarm style front end, and weld the top plate to the uprights. Deep grove ball bearings is what we found that Mr Windle still uses. Bit of a piss around with thin spacers to get it snug, but works nicely.

Is this the one that failed on you Drew



So your set up now is solid top and bottom with a pin as the steering steam (haven't been up close to any modern chairs while I was really interested in paying attention to the set up)

But Drew it hasnt been upside down as many times as yours LOL

Thought Koba was going to do it at Tamuranui though

[Pumba]

Hi Carl, of all the rigs out there yours is the one I would be really keen to have a go on, might also give me some ideas for the RV 90 chair I'm stalled on. Hope you get your front end sorted for the big outing and did you get your new tires fitted?

Well if you are down at Tokoroa mate you are welcome to take it out if we find time in the day.

I put the new rear tyre on the rim a couple of nights ago. Not sure if I will swap out the front tyre at the moment. Seems to be working pretty well grip wise.

[koba]

Thought Koba was going to do it at Tamuranui though

It was miles away from tipping...

[Henk]

It was miles away from tipping...

Inches, the obsolete imperial measurement you are looking for is inches.