The Fingertight Racing Sidecar Project

[swarfie]

The shift rod was too short for men's legs, I managed one lap in first gear. Couldn't change up due to foot being already bent all the way forward just to fit in the stirrup.

was a good lap though.

Yeah mate....but you're a bit stretched out on one end tho I couldn't use the lever with my toes in the stirrup, had to lift my toes from behind the rear bar to in front of the front one to get it to change. Could hardly walk afterwards.

[nodrog:Me]

..... I couldn't use the lever with my toes in the stirrup, had to lift my toes from behind the rear bar to in front of the front one to get it to change. ....

See that's why you are the smart one, I was too busy marvelling at how good it handles.

[Drew]

What didn't he like? there's nothing in the rules which says they have to be mounted on the left

We run road pattern

Like Noddyrog said, pushing back slows you down, easy to have both sides the same

The master cylinder push rods went through a guide. The lever was mounted on the swing arm. So at any given time the main push rod might not be in a dead straight line.

Any concern he might have had, was proven unfounded on the same day when we rolled it and the bike pivoted around with all it's weight on the pedal. Bit of a twist in the lever, no further damage.

[Pumba]

I take it you've been on MMS forum and FB uk mini sidecars page?

More the forum, for a quiet forum there is some great info. Well more great pictures that give a great insight into what you guys are doing.

Re centre hub steering.....

Yea I have a few vague ideas. No idea if it would be any better given the application was more curious if it had been attempted as I had not seen any examples

As for brake/gear change.....

Well all the other big chair racers have given me a good insight on that issue.

Please clarify: race bikes - push down to change up where as road bikes push down to change down?

You have got it.

As far as uk mini's go there has been some weird shit going on in the past.

Yea sounds like there are some interesting things that have happened in the past; however the brakes cant be any worse than my current rig. Even with new pads and good feel on the leaver the front felt like it was never really biting. The disk and calliper are one of the awesome Honda inboard ventilated jobbies from a VTR250. I dont they worked when they were new let alone 25 years later. The rear is a drum that actually has good bite, but has to be backed off so far to not bind that I need a double jointed foot for it to work. Dodgy as really.Think I would be inclined to just go for a standard type brake set up, front brake operating the front and a rear foot break operating the rear. I am not sure a chair brake would be of any benifit, although if I do get a chance to build one from scratch an the money is available I may be inclined to put one on just because it would be easier to do then than try and reto fit later.

Will do pics of the brake setup as soon as its all bolted back together and a bit more finished.

I really do like photos. If you have any more around the rear axles and hubs that you guys use on the rear that would be great. Particularry the ones that use (what I presume is a) 17mm solid axle and how they are attached to the frame. Almost looks like the sit inside a cup with a bolt in to hold it in place.

Now I've bored the living shit out of you all I'll go climb back under my rock!

I wont lie it was a long rant that took me a couple of attempts to read. But all good, keep sharing

[Drew]

Those inboard disks work fucken great. They're just heavy. Have you got the right size master for it.

As for the drum, make it cable operated. Should work mint when the swingarm isn't effecting the linkage rod.

[Pumba]

swingarm

[Drew]

Oh right. In that case I'd pick the lever ratio is wrong.

[Drew]

You guys realise that compliance equals traction right, suspension is a good thing.

[Henk]

Hey, you have front suspension at least you flash bastard.

[Henk]

You guys realise that compliance equals traction right, suspension is a good thing.

When you have all of 13 horsepowers suspension is a load of unnecessary heavy.

[Pumba]

Hey, you have front suspension at least you flash bastard.

It was useful while it was attached.

[Drew]

When you have all of 13 horsepowers suspension is a load of unnecessary heavy.

I don't agree, but I understand the opinion.

[Henk]

I don't agree, but I understand the opinion.

Quite happy to argue the point over a beer on the weekend. Of course my argument is going to consist mainly of "piss off you're wrong"

[Drew]

"piss off you're wrong"

Gonna be a fucken funny argument for onlookers then..."You dunno what you're on about".

[Henk]

Gonna be a fucken funny argument for onlookers then..."You dunno what you're on about".

We could place bets on when the interested onlookers get bored and walk away or we start hitting each other.