Short notice, need help on sidecar removal ASAP.

[DenialDave]

I need to get my 81 shovel into the shop without the sidecar currently mounted (to put new sprockets on it for handling the new load better). I've never taken it apart before, I just got it on the road two months ago. It has a 3 point mounting setup.

I know I need to very lightly jack the sidecar near the two lower mounts, put a couple jack stands underneath, and then I believe I'm supposed to disconnect the two lower mounts at the bike first, then the upper mount. I plan to do this with someone sitting on the bike with the kickstand down. What am I missing, to ensure I don't damage the sidecar or my bike??

Thanks!

 

[TexasBulldogger]

Take the turnbuckle off first and have bike leaning on side stand. Swing away front mount first and set on jack. Same with back mount. Walk bike away. Single person job. Easier with an extra body.

 

[TexasBulldogger]

How’s the loose turnbuckle? Are you sure it turned in or did something bend?

 

[DenialDave]

How’s the loose turnbuckle? Are you sure it turned in or did something bend?

I can say at this point that it definitely turned in. I don't see anything bent. I rolled it back out, but had to use a pipe wrench to do it. Once I get the sidecar off I'll do a little further investigation.

 

[TexasBulldogger]

Mine was pipe wrench tight when I got it. Soaked in solvent. Fully extended threads and dressed with a wire brush until turning by hand. Never moved on its own.

Are the two lower mounts solid? Little wiggle somewhere changing dynamics on the turnbuckle threads?

It is hard to understand how it freely loosened but took a wrench to turn it back. Inspect those threads and amount of play with it off the bike. It’s a welded assembly. The bolts have stops inside and will not come out.

 

[DenialDave]

Okay, I'll do that. Thanks. I'm to bolts loose, Jack stands under, Jack available.

Front lower is going to come out if I wiggle it now, so I must have a good negative bind on the front.

I will thoroughly inspect the turnbuckle at all connections to make sure there's nothing else going on there.

 

[DenialDave]

Mine was pipe wrench tight when I got it. Soaked in solvent. Fully extended threads and dressed with a wire brush until turning by hand. Never moved on its own.

Are the two lower mounts solid? Little wiggle somewhere changing dynamics on the turnbuckle threads?

It is hard to understand how it freely loosened but took a wrench to turn it back. Inspect those threads and amount of play with it off the bike. It’s a welded assembly. The bolts have stops inside and will not come out.

Apaart, and now safely to the shop. Thanks for the help.

 

[TexasBulldogger]

Pretty easy off. Nice that it’s plug and play when you put it back on. As long as the original setup was correct no readjusting needed.

You’ll probably want some dead weight besides the dog. I carry 150 lbs but my monkey sits on the bIke.

 

[DenialDave]

Pretty easy off. Nice that it’s plug and play when you put it back on. As long as the original setup was correct no readjusting needed.

You’ll probably want some dead weight besides the dog. I carry 150 lbs but my monkey sits on the bIke.

Well it's easier when you have some people giving you good advice. It just scares me to either trash the sidecar or the bike. I'm probably spending another $2,500 on the Harley this week, for better sprockets and new clutch, for the increased load. I don't know how much the terraplane weighs if it has the original frame, but that 80 cubic inch still flies like a bandit without the sidecar. With the sidecar, clearly it's like having a cow sitting behind me. Definitely not fast off the line. Definitely does not pick up speed well. So I'm hoping a sprocket change is going to make a big difference. Point being you mention carrying extra weight, I've got a 45 lb bag of planting soil sitting flat and is close to the front as possible. I can't imagine adding another 100 lb to that, and being able to get that thing to move.. And I don't really ride it without the dog cuz I have other bikes, and she's about 65 lb. So I probably have a total of 100 to 115 lb of additional weight in the sidecar when in use. And that seems to handle pretty well even at 45 mph doing curves.