Workshop
Engineer Workshop – Conversion Kits, Fitting Guides & Manuals
Dec
Welcome to the Haul N Ride Workshop
Every project will come across problems to solve
This page is a collection of solutions to assist in the attachment of sidecars and sourcing Sidecar Mounting Kits, manuals and parts.
Here you will find Engineering Workshop Manuals – Universal Mounting Kits – Steering Dampers and much more.
Methods of Attachment – Sidecar Motorcycle Combinations
There are 4 common methods to attach a sidecar to a motorcycle: Flexible, Leaner, Parallelogram and Rigid.
To understand the difference between Sidecar Combination Attachment Methods, click on each link below….
Parallelogram Sidecar Combination
Sidecar Attachment Fittings, Steering Dampers & Mounting Kits
Attaching a sidecar to a motorbike is not as simple as just bolting it onto the frame.
You will need to learn about Lean-In, Tow-In and Steering Dampers.
It will also be necessary to learn basic sidecar safety and operation.
If you are an experienced Solo motorcycle rider and have been riding on two wheels for a long time, then it is even more important to study the manuals and safety guides.
You do not want to find yourself in a rear wheel lift situation.
Rigid Sidecars – Leading Link Explained
If you decide to attach a sidecar as a Rigid Combination, it is important to learn the difference between Trail and Rake and the benefits of replacing telescopic forks with a Leading Link front end. Leading Link – Power Steering for Sidecars and Trikes.
Sidecar Installation & Alignment
Setting up a Sidecar Combination is very technical and requires a good understanding of fine adjustments and testing to enable the Outfit and Rig run straight and smoothly.
Below you will find various websites, safety tips and many resources such as where to find parts!
Cycle Sidecar – Attachment Guides & Resources
Cycle Sidecar is a comprehensive website that contains Installation Manuals, User Guides, Sidecar Driver training and Sidecar Safety.
Visit Website for Detailed Instructions: Click Here
Simply Sidecars – Fitting Guide and Riding Tips
Simply Sidecars website contains detailed information including Wheel Lead – Tow-in – Clamp Location – Lean-out, Camber and Electrical Connections.
Visit Website for Detailed Instructions: Click Here
Simply Sidecars – Sidecar Mounting Kits, Parts and Prices
Simply Sidecars contains parts prices and riding tips.
Eyebolts – clamps – sliding mounts – universal mounting kits and much more. This website has it all.
Visit Website: Click Here
Universal Mounting Kits
Visit eBay to purchase an affordable Mount Kit.
Mounting Kit – Rigid Sidecar Attachment
Cycle Sidecars – Sidecar Project Parts
Fenders – Front Bumpers – Sidecar Tires – Tonneau Covers – Electrics – Shockies – Mounts – Mounting Struts – Seat belts.
Visit Cycle Sidecars and “Find what you need”.
Visit Website: Click Here
Steering Wobble – Prevention & Correction
The Steering Damper Guide provides a cure to Wheel Wobble and the correct and safe installation.
Steering Dampers
My FJ1200A Wheelchair Accessible Sidecar Steering Damper Specs.
A steering Damper is a small shock-absorber that connects from your motorcycle forks to the sidecar and provides a dampening effect when you hit a pot hole or bump.
If this isn’t in place, the shock will be sent to the riders hands. To assist other riders and their sidecar projects, I have taken photos and measurements of my setup.
Extended Length 16.92 inches (430 mm)
Compressed Length 13 inches (330 mm)
Steering Damper Attachment to Leading Link
Steering Damper Attachment to Sidecar
Steering Hard Lock Away from Sidecar – Extended Damper
Steering Hard Lock Toward Sidecar – Compressed Damper 
VW Steering Damper Examples
Steering Dampers are necessary to be fitted between the sidecar and the motorcycle to minimize steering wobble.
New replacement steering dampers for VW (Volkswagen) standard Beetle, Super Bug, and Combi Bus can make great steering dampers for a sidecar combination.
I have placed a a few examples below.
Classic Sidecar Workshop
Harley Davidson WLA’s, Indian Chief, Scout 101, Four, ACE, Excelsior, the Henderson and various other vintage motorcycles.
Visit Website: Click Here
Sidecar Reverse Gear
When a Sidecar is added to a motorcycle, the rider will no longer be able to reverse the motorcycle as is the case with a solo motorbike.
With a little creativity, there is a device that can be adapted to enable the sidecar to reverse the combination.
Visit Sidecar Reverse Gear to discover some clever solutions available to solve this common problem faced by all sidecar users:
Sidecar Trike Wheelchair Restraints – Workshop & Suppliers
Crash Testing – Wheelchair Tie Down – Lashing Points – Docking Stations for Sidecars and Trikes
https://www.abilitymotorcycles.com/category/sidecars-trikes
Cruise Control
Slide on Cruise Assist Hand Rests
Cruise Control provides comfortable throttle control dramatically reducing wrist fatigue often caused by long rides.
Take a look at a number of styles and designs to add Cruise Control and Throttle Assist to your ride:
Hack Builder Archive
Whether home built or manufactured. Here are some hack construction pics from home workshop hack builders.
Click Image Below…
If you have any suggestions or would like to share your sidecar project, add a comment below.
You might like to take a look at a safer method to attach a sidecar to a motorcycle…
Haul N Ride website was created to explore Innovation and Human Creativity with a focus on Interesting, Rare and Unusual Motorcycles and Accessories. Haul N Ride welcomes the sharing of projects and ideas, creating an enjoyable and educational online resource. We like to hear from readers so please leave a comment below and let us know if this post helped you or if you have any questions.
Thank you for visiting Haul N Ride. Dave
Looking for pics of where to mount side car onto a Harley Dyna super glide 08 anniversary model. All info would be great.
Thanks.
Hi Dave,
My main sidecar rig right now is a 2014 Honda CTX 1300 with a leading link mod that I built and installed and Hannagin sidecar .I have had at least 6 sidecar rigs, mounted to, 1974 BMW R90 x 2, 1976 Honda GL 1000 with leading link,1979 Honda GL 1100 with leading link and a 2003 BMW 1150 GS.
I wish to Mount a sidecar to my 1984 Honda GL 1200 Standard. The sidecar I would like to use is a 1984 Jawa Velorex sidecar. I have modified the axle of the rig to accept a GL front tire.
My question is, do you make a leaning combination to fit the 84 and do you sell only the motorcycle subframe.
Thanks Tony
Hi Tony,
Haul N Ride is a website that allows people to share specifications and photos of their projects to provide other builders ideas and design improvements.
We do not make a Leaning Sidecar or sell Leaner Sidecar Chassis/Subframe and do not employ engineers.
What we can offer is the following link to manufacturers that may help you:
https://www.haulnride.com/product-category/motorcycles_and_sidecars/sidecars/leaner-flexible-parallelogram-sidecar-combinations
I wish you luck with your project.
Ride Safe.
Dave