97 HD Heritage Softail Classic with Champion sidecar, several questions

[artyc264]

Hi I'm Arty in Randolph, Massachusetts. I'm thinking of purchasing this rig. I have owned three different sidecar rigs previously. I have never owned a Champion. Can you guys and gals please give me your honest opinions. There is no brake on the sidecar wheel. No camber control. The bike does not have raked triple trees. If I do make the purchase, I plan on adding 5 degree raked triple trees. Just looking for owners to give me the pros and cons. Thanks, Arty 781-413-6488

[rhino 2]

Hey, Arty i cant help you with the sidecar question..But i can welcome you to Trike-Talk...

[Smitty901]

I had a Velorex side car on a 1996 FB for 3 1/2 years . I chose not to go with brakes or the camber control. It stopped just fine in all conditions. The sit up worked well at any speed I t would be ridden. The 760 pound bike and the weight of the sidecar made the engine work at speeds over 65 Mph and in head wind it require dropping 1 gear.

I found no reason to rake it but did add a basic steering stabilizer.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/24oWFRM]

Any more detailed question just yell.

The sidecar is now on a 750 street and it will fly on the bike.

[Lee H. Mann]

Hi I'm Arty in Randolph, Massachusetts. I'm thinking of purchasing this rig. I have owned three different sidecar rigs previously. I have never owned a Champion. Can you guys and gals please give me your honest opinions. There is no brake on the sidecar wheel. No camber control. The bike does not have raked triple trees. If I do make the purchase, I plan on adding 5 degree raked triple trees. Just looking for owners to give me the pros and cons. Thanks, Arty 781-413-6488

Hey Arty, Welcome to Trike (sidecar) Talk Forum ...

Depending on the weight of your car and wheel lead, a 5 degree might be sufficient. My business partner had a 1993 FLSTN with a Liberty sidecar. We used a 7 degree triple tree on that and it was a pleasure to ride.

Set up 1-2 degrees lean-out, 10" - 11" wheel lead, zero camber on the car and 1/2" toe "in" at 6 foot from sidecar wheel.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Welcome to the Gang from Western Colorado.

I would add a question, that adding a rake to the bike would make the bike handle funny without the side car, wouldn't it. If you plan to ride the bike without the side car, be careful adding rake. We find this issue in the Insta Trike kits as well. Or at least that's how I read it.

[Smitty901]

If the rake is not extreme the only real effect without a side car on is a lighter quicker feel to the steering. Kind of like what happens when you extended the tubes or put a bigger front tire on.

People been riding bikes with rake and extend tubes for over 50 years.

[artyc264]

Hi Everyone, Again I have owned three bikes with sidecars. I'm looking for someone on here who has or had a Champion sidecar. I'd like to get a review. I'm not interested in any of these responses. Thanks, Arty

[Lee H. Mann]

Hi Everyone, Again I have owned three bikes with sidecars. I'm looking for someone on here who has or had a Champion sidecar. I'd like to get a review. I'm not interested in any of these responses. Thanks, Arty

I have one now ..... but I am not interested in responding either !!!

[Smitty901]

Brand is pretty much meaningless . It is a third wheel . The questions you ask apply to all of them. Good luck enjoy the ride.

[artyc264]

WOW! Hello everyone, Sorry for any confusion. I have owned three bikes with sidecars. I have a very good understanding of rake and how to set up a sidecar. That was NOT my original question. So comparing a HORRIBLE Texas sidecar to a Liberty sidecar is apples to oranges. There is a HUGE difference between those two companies. So again, I'm looking for an owner of a Champion to give a pros and cons honest review. When I read the responses, they where of no help. Sorry again for any confusion. Thanks in advance, Arty