Further to my Dnepr project, I have taken a tape measure to various Japanese motors including a KZ750 (too big), a Nighthawk (ditto) and an XS650 Special (maybe). Today I'll check out a SOHV CB750. However, I'm also reconsidering using a complete R75/5 drive train from motor to rear hub. One issue is that the rear wheel, although still aligned straight forward, may end up not in the same plane as the front wheel. It might be offset by as much as 35mm to the left (ie, away from the sidecar). I suppose that an offset of this magnitude would be significant enough to adversely affect steering and handling on a two-wheeled motorcycle, but what about a hack rig? In effect the whole combo would be a trike (marginally). What concerns me is sidecar toe-in and bike lean. I can imagine that these alignment rules would change. Especially lean, where the adjustment would pivot the bike around an axis at a slight angle to the line of travel. At first thought this doesn't sound so good (steering instability?) (excess tire wear?) but would it really be a serious problem? Any opinions welcome. cc. rec.motorcycles TIA, SQ
