The Xt400 side car (winter project)

Worked on it a little yesterday. My boy cant wait to go for a ride! I worked on the step to get into the sidecar, and started mounting the caliper. I also added some bracing to my shock tower.

DSC_0768.jpg

DSC_0791.jpg
et.com/albums/j336/captain_neto/DSC_0790.jpg[/IMG]
DSC_0792.jpg

DSC_0793.jpg

DSC_0794.jpg

DSC_0795.jpg
 
I did a lot of research and found that about 90% of people that build sidecars put brakes on them and almost 100% of factory built rigs come with brakes. I figured it would be better to have it and not use it, than to need it and have to add it after the fact. I also thought it would be a good idea since I am adding weight to the bike. The car weighs over 100lbs and an adult male passenger could easily weigh 150-200. I think it would be foolish not to try to add more stopping power to the rig. I also figured that in certain off road situations a brake on the car might be very helpful, e.g Tight turns or slippery downhill descents. But to each his own.....some people build rigs with no brakes and have no problems and love them that way...others swear by brakes. This is my first sidecar so I will let you know how it goes. :D


why would you even need or want a brake on that side car?
 
No matter what carbs you are using, just remember.......if you feeding the engine more air you need to also feed it more fuel. It works the same way if you are feeding it less air. Less air takes less fuel and in turn equals less power. Just remember regardless off what carbs/jets you are running you need to keep that air fuel ratio correct. its kinda like creamer in coffee. If you like your coffee with a certain amount off cream in it.....that amount changes depending on how much is in your cup. If you have a huge cup off coffee you will need a lot of cream, if you have half full cup you will only need half the amount of cream. Does that make any sense.

Ive got smaller carbs and are trying to figure it out in my head.... would I want a higher or lower ratio considering more air will be rushing through??
 
I would get this thing done a lit faster if I would stay of off youtube! I see something cool on there and It gives me too many ideas. 2 hour of watching people shoot stuff with mini cannons and I have my very own miniature cannon that fire a .177 cal projectile using FFFF black powder and a short fuse. Wow what a waste of time hahaha. Oh well at least it goes BOOM!!!
DSC_0796.jpg

DSC_0797.jpg

DSC_0801.jpg

DSC_0802.jpg

DSC_0803.jpg
 
Major points for coolness. Maybe this can be a hood ornament on the side car? Actually, there's probably a law against firearms attached directly to motorcycles...
 
Back to the sidecar stuff. I spent a little time today, tinkering around with the brake setup for the car......nothing fancy, but I think it will work. Now I just need brake lines.

DSC_0811.jpg

DSC_0812.jpg

DSC_0813.jpg

DSC_0814.jpg
 
There is plenty of room between the car and the kicker...the problem is my subframe for the lower mounts pushed my right footpeg out 1/4" so now the kicker hits the footpeg. This limits its travel enough that I dont think it will start. Ive been debating whether or not to try to remedy this. I might just rely on the elec start. I use that 99% of the time any how. Or might try to modify the footpeg so the kicker clears.


How does your kickstart not hit the side car? I'm sure you've checked, but it looks close from those pics...
 
Well.......I drove a sidecar for the first time today!!! It was fun! I finally got everything welded up and bolted together. It was snowing but I went out and rode it around the house a few times.......I didn't even fall over! ;) Here is a video



 
Back
Top