I’m mounting a light weight utility/cargo sidecar to my 2013 KLR. This is my third rig, but the first time I have tried to fabricate a mounting system for a car. So, please don’t laugh too hard at what I’ve already done or tell me how stupid I am. I just need your help and I’m sure there are plenty of you out there who can help me.
I bought this rig already “set up”, but the PO knew nothing about sidecars. He made the sidecar and did a pretty good job, in my opinion. But he mounted it with two solid pieces of square tubing bolted directly to the KLR frame. I have since undone that, cut off the two pieces of tubing and installed a KLR sub frame I bought from Claude Stanley at Freedom Sidecars in Pennsylvania.
I welded and bolted 4 eye bolt mounts to the car frame, as you can see in the pictures and installed the two upper and two lower struts from these eye bolt mounts to the bike sub frame eye bolt mounts. I have adjusted and retightened all bolts and mounts at least 4 times. I’ve put a long cheater handle over my ratchet handle to tighten everything almost to the point of stripping the bolts or nuts.
But, after adjusting everything and doing a test ride something is slipping and the bike wants to lean into the car. What am I doing wrong or not doing? I will be glad to post or send you more pictures if needed.