KLR Sidecar Rig Is Sagging

[fredtman]

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.

[Papa Zook]

Post some pictures of where the posts connect to the bike.

[David357]

Hi Floyd,

to our Trike Talk Family.

[rhino 2]

Floyd..Welcome to Trike Talk..👍👍

[Dave59]

Hey Floyd, Welcome!!

[Sidecarbill]

When you cut the tubing that the builder had going directly to the frame of the cycle, you created a problem that can only be remedied by putting it back the way it was. There are ways to make things work by going backwards but going back to what you had or something similar would be best. You should be able to loosen all the bolts at the strut pivots and not have the frame collapse. The tension of those bolts won't do it. Claude's a great guy and can probably straighten that out for ya. The way you have that setup just may hurt ya.

[Smitty901]

Looks like a weak mount to start with. You need to mark everything then get on a see where it moves. Agree with post above those bolts will not hold in that direction the need to be turned 90 degrees.

[stacebg]

the lower mounts re the wrong type..even if you turn the mount so the pivot / bolt is heading the other way... still wrong .. examples of a better way to go... the moto guzzi is a no no

[NOTRIGHTNIT]

Hi, I saw your question regarding your idea of attaching a chair to a KLR. I had an older model KLR that I thought seriously about doing something similar myself. I have done a fair bit with sidecars before, but I found this bike meant it all became a trifle too 'stringy' in the fittings. The bike sat too high was the first obstacle that reared its head, then, the frame itself does not really lend itself to clamps etc etc...... how are you getting on with yours...???? I would be interested in seeing how you do it.....!!!!