We did get out and about with the sidecar yesterday. We were going to a barbecue for a visitor from Ethiopia. He is one of the many wonderful individuals that we met and worked with on the trip last year. Bridget mentioned that there wasn't much give to the suspension so maybe I need to work on switching out the spring on the sidecar. George, the local Royal Enfield dealer, mentioned that he swapped the coil-over-shock with one from a BMW on his sidecar and the ride really improved. He thought it was the setup from a twin shock bike like mine but wasn't sure. The eyelets are different sizes and the length is about 1" longer but it could be made to fit.
Due to construction around the building, the motorcycle parking area was relocated but they still had three spots. When I arrived, there wasn't enough room but the Harley rider had just arrived and graciously moved her bike over giving me a spot.
This is in the parking lot near College Coffeehouse. George's Royal Enfield w/Cozy sidecar is at the far left. There was a fellow airhead member from Ketchikan on a ride around Alaska and Canada on a newer BMW (not on his airhead!) over the next several weeks.
I did take a look at George's sidecar suspension to see how he adapted the BMW shock to the Cozy sidecar. It looks pretty straightforward with just the addition of some spacers and the the spring rate is much lower than the stock setup. He said that it rides pretty nice. Plus, the Progressive shock that I have laying around has an easily adjustable spring.
As you may notice, it is still nice and sunny in the interior of Alaska. According to the local paper, this may be a record setting summer with 30 days above 80°F and 12 days above 85°F. The fair starts up tomorrow and that event usually brings rain. We'll see if that happens this year.
The photo of the sidecar shock mirrors how URALs have theirs set up. Folks have told me the ride is pretty smooth within the sidecar, then again, could be the "snowmen" under the tub.
ReplyDeleteI really need to do something about the sidecar suspension. I can bounce on the frame and just see a tiny bit of movement in the spring. Essentially, there is none. The only suspension are the rubber rings supporting the back of the tub.
DeleteWhat a brilliant cosmic joke it would be were we to have an Alaskan winter as you have a Florida summer. That would thin the herds.
ReplyDeleteIf next winter is a Florida Summer, I'd be one of those moving? But, yes, it would really thin things out not only in KW but up here as well...
DeleteIt seems everyone is having an amazing summer. This is the sunniest July on record in Victoria, we ave had rain for an entire month. I love the idea of a sidecar, still pondering if one will fit my bike. Happy riding Richard & Bridgett!
ReplyDeleteIt still gets into the fifties every night so the house can cool off, which is nice. I'm told that not everyone is appreciating all of the sun. Folks with lawns are struggling to keep them green but most of the mosquitos are gone. I think they need standing water to breed...
DeleteSo glad you have had some nice warm weather for you and Bridget to get out on the bike.
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying our weather change. High 60's yesterday and today before it warms up again.
That was her second trip in the sidecar and the first since I put in the seat belt. Apparently, the seat belt helps. As long as it cools off at night, then the hot days are tolerable.
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