Sidecar 'progress'

Regulars will have noted I was foolish enough to buy a sidecar without
MOT. To try to get the MOT, so far, I've done the following:

1. Oil and filters change.
2. Replaced rear shocks
3. Replaced sidecar shock... wtih a solid bar! (until replacement shock
arrives)
4. Replaced sidecar rear wheel (existing rusted beyond redemption)
5. Replaced sidecar swing arm bearings
6. Replaced head races
7. Replaced fork seals (but don't think this will be enough, probably
need to replace the forks.)
8. Reworked *every* sidecar mounting!

I think that's about it...

On top of this I've:

1. Changed fork oil
2. Replaced points, condensors, coils
3. Rebuilt fuel tap.

It's starting nicely and running well enough. Just a shame the forks
aren't up to the job... Allegedly.

 

Cost so far?

Enquiring minds need to know, so they can laugh and point.

 

If it's just a matter of pitted stanchions tearing up the fork seals and
being a bit leaky, just stick on a cheap set of gaiters. The MOT tester
isn't allowed to look under them.

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique,
typed

It is your *lucky* day!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=29017567292
4

Hey, it's only money, right?

--
Wicked Uncle Nigel - "He's hopeless, but he's honest"

WS* GHPOTHUF#24 APOSTLE#14 DLC#1 COFF#20 BOTAFOT#150 HYPO#0(KoTL) IbW#41
SBS#39 OMF#6 Enfield 500 Curry House Racer "The Basmati Rice Burner",
Honda GL1000K2 (Fallen apart) Suzuki TS250 "The Africa Single"
Norton 850 Commando Kawasaki GTR1400

 

No, it's a matter of the damping not being sufficient. I don't think
it's the springs, I think it's the valves since I can compress the forks
all the way to bottoming out by 'rocking' the bike when the front
brake's on.

I've already replaced the seals and have fitted gaiters...

 

(The Older Gentleman) wrote in
message

I find it best at such times not to count cost.

I've enjoyed fiddling with it and that's what counts...

However, a rough estimate is:

Oil, filters, plugs; about 40 quid
Rear shocks; 45 quid
Sidecar shock; 55 quid
Sidecar wheel (and tyre) 30 quid
Sidecar bearings 2.40
Head races 27.50
Fork seals 7.50
Fork oil; 5.00 (already in the garage)
Points, condensors & coils; 70 quid
Fuel tap; 10 quid

So that's about 300 quid.

I think I may have to add 50 quid for a set of GT550 forks and then it's
probably done and dusted.

 

Well there were some leading links on eBay but they went for silly money
(greater than 200 quid) and would have needed custom yokes. So give it
a miss.

 

Heavier fork oil?

 

Well, it should be a 5W20 and at the moment it's running about 25 (I
mixed 20 and 30 roughly 50/50). I'm not sure if it's a good idea to
have fucked forks on a bike with a sidecar; especially when I plan to do
1500 miles on it in a trip to the eastern front...

 

Pussy. Stick in some EP90.

 

**** that. I'm going to fill it with silicone sealant.

 

'Sidecar' fork springs were a standard mod. in the old days (31
CSR/Monza era). Any chance of beefing up the spring rate with a bodge I
believe I may still in force on the Morini by inserting old valve
springs?

--

+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Gilera Nordwest Yamaha WR250Z |
| Gilera GFR * 2 Moto Morini 2C/375 |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+

 

As it stands the springs are well within spec. in terms of their length.
Forcing the cap in place (it's a metal tube secured with a wireclip)
isn't that easy, preloading the spring would probably make it pretty
damn near impossible... From the metallic sheen the oil had i suspect
that the oil's worked as grinding paste.

 

I think it's springs & damping in that case. You could sort the springs
by cutting off a few coils & adding spacers to make up the length. The
damping could probably be bodged with more/thicker oil.


--
Krusty
www.MuddyStuff.co.uk
Off-Road Classifieds

'02 MV Senna '03 Tiger 955i '96 Tiger '79 Fantic Hiro 250

 

<cough>...I'm sure I know a few ladies that'll fiddle with it for less
than that.