Front end for sidecar use - who changed their forks?

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Sidecar Bob
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Re: Front end for sidecar use - who changed their forks?

#16

Post by Sidecar Bob »

Now why didn't you tell me that 7 years ago when I started this thread? :roll:

FWIW, I wouldn't be surprised to learn that both of those models use most of the same fork parts as the CB650SC except maybe stiffer springs.
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Re: Front end for sidecar use - who changed their forks?

#17

Post by flyin900 »

:-D You never asked me. I used to work on these bikes pretty exclusively back then. The CB 1000 series forks probably have more in common with the large V4 Magna series 1100’s and VT1100 twins from the same era.
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Re: Front end for sidecar use - who changed their forks?

#18

Post by sparkyrasmus »

Hmm. Good ideas all. Pedro has some skills and tools that I don't posess, so for now I'm liking the idea of switching out the forks with the Honda takeoffs suggested.
Goldwings don't accelerate, they gain inertia.

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Re: Front end for sidecar use - who changed their forks?

#19

Post by ericheath »

84-86 Magna also has forks like the cb1000 flying900 posted but are 41mm. You might find a set of these cheap, but they are also long forks- chopper look. It appears the cb1000 are also long. They are air controlled but you can plug the holes and run the forks up in the trees as much as desired. You can also shorten them internally. The Magna setup will work with a gl1200 set of triple trees. The bike had a reputation for tank slappers so a good brace is needed but I think the narrow triple trees of the Magna had something to do with that. The design cuts a couple inches off trail. It might be an affordable alternative for you. Craigslist has non-running bikes pretty cheap.
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Re: Front end for sidecar use - who changed their forks?

#20

Post by Sidecar Bob »

If the stanchions are the same diameter as the original forks you are replacing upi might be able to use the original stanchions with the leading axle sliders (I would have except that my original GL1100 stanchions were pitted and I had the CB750SC ones)

I don't think I mentioned this but the GL1000's trail is not far outside the ideal range so if I was going to attach a sidecar to a GL1000 I wouldn't change the forks until I had driven it for a while with the original setup. My first GoldWing sidecar outfit was a '77 with the sidecar from the Dnepr I couldn't get parts for (this was pre-internet) and it handled OK with the original front end.

BTW: Do you know why choppers (& the factory "customs" designed to resemble them) have a lot of rake? After WWII there were a lot of war surplus bikes (mostly Harleys) available really cheap. I you wanted to make some radical change (like altering the frame to try to improve the handling) you did it to a Harley because if you messed it up you could get another cheap Harley and start over.
Until the '50s the front end geometry of most motorcycles had relatively low trail which resulted in handling that was OK on rutted dirt roads and cobblestones but less than ideal on paved highways at higher speeds. Those guys who were cutting up and customizing Harleys soon realized that if they tilted the steering head back and installed longer forks they could increase the trail without raising the front end and make them more stable at speed. This is "form follows function" design. People with little or no understanding of engineering or design thought that if some was good more must be better so they started adding longer and longer forks until it became a fashion statement and they made a lot of un-rideable machines that people drooled over because their ridiculously long forks were "so cool".
When the factories finally realized that that was the look people wanted their engineers knew that excessive trail was not good (google "chopper flop") so they invariably put the axle ahead of the forks to keep the trail reasonable while providing the long forks and silly rake that fashion dictated.
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The Famous Eccles ('84 CX650EI/VeloUral) winter Never Ending Build (CX500forum)
Click: Colour schematics for all GL1000 & GL1100 and GL1200 standard models plus instructions on how to download the full size version
"A guy with two sidecars can't be all bad." - Cookie
Another guy with two sidecars..... Hmmmm... must be something to that....
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Re: Front end for sidecar use - who changed their forks?

#21

Post by mike in idaho »

A few years back I had a Velorex Bolted onto My Gl1000 with CB900 fork legs. The fork legs were a direct bolt on fit, a little longer overall, but you can pull the inner tube up through the triple crown to get the height desired. Front fender mounts are a bit different, I scored a nice CB900 fender on fleabay to bolt on. Seems like I needed to shim the caliper mounts with some thin washers to get everything a perfect fit.
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Re: Front end for sidecar use - who changed their forks?

#22

Post by Sandy »

I gave this a go while the GL was on the bench this winter.
We will see ow it works out when the weather changes.
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Re: Front end for sidecar use - who changed their forks?

#23

Post by Oldewing »

That looks great,




nice work
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Re: Front end for sidecar use - who changed their forks?

#24

Post by ericheath »

It looks real good, Sandy. Keep an eye on it, it looks like you have more than doubled the load on the bolts at the bottom of the forks. They were getting very little load before. I’m not an engineer.
Whatever I suggest here should be given ample time for a moderator to delicately correct. I apologize in advance.
77 WING, 1200 engine with 77 heads, cams, gl1100 foot pegs, Magna V65 front end, 764A carbs, [-gone Suzuki M109 monoshock--, replaced with gl1100 shocks] gl 1200 swing arm, gl1500 final drive, wheel and rear brakes Valkyrie seat, Meanstreak tank, Sportster pipes, Power Arc ignition off crank.
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Re: Front end for sidecar use - who changed their forks?

#25

Post by Sidecar Bob »

Yeah, and there's a fair bit of bending force on that plate too.
Mr. Honda ('83 GL1100/Dnepr) summer How a motorcycle evolves thread
The Famous Eccles ('84 CX650EI/VeloUral) winter Never Ending Build (CX500forum)
Click: Colour schematics for all GL1000 & GL1100 and GL1200 standard models plus instructions on how to download the full size version
"A guy with two sidecars can't be all bad." - Cookie
Another guy with two sidecars..... Hmmmm... must be something to that....
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Re: Front end for sidecar use - who changed their forks?

#26

Post by scootsx2 »

Hmmm. Interesting solution. Let us know how it works out.
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Re: Front end for sidecar use - who changed their forks?

#27

Post by pidjones »

Sidecar Bob wrote:Yeah, and there's a fair bit of bending force on that plate too.
I'd feel better about it if it were gusseted somehow.
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Re: Front end for sidecar use - who changed their forks?

#28

Post by CYBORG »

Looks iffy. Not sure I would trust it at speed
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Re: Front end for sidecar use - who changed their forks?

#29

Post by Sidecar Bob »

pidjones wrote:
Sidecar Bob wrote:Yeah, and there's a fair bit of bending force on that plate too.
I'd feel better about it if it were gusseted somehow.
That's why the commercially made axle relocators usually involve big plates that bolt onto the forks to move the forks forward.

Something else about this design bothers me: The bottom ends of the forks are raised up at least an inch. As with simply installing longer forks, this will slightly increase the trail, which is the opposite to what you are trying to do by moving the axle forward. Not enough to negate moving the axle forward but it will decrease the effect of moving it.

In case you missed the link in a previous post, here's what I did https://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=49627
FWIW, my fork change seems to have slightly lowered the front end.
Mr. Honda ('83 GL1100/Dnepr) summer How a motorcycle evolves thread
The Famous Eccles ('84 CX650EI/VeloUral) winter Never Ending Build (CX500forum)
Click: Colour schematics for all GL1000 & GL1100 and GL1200 standard models plus instructions on how to download the full size version
"A guy with two sidecars can't be all bad." - Cookie
Another guy with two sidecars..... Hmmmm... must be something to that....
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Re: Front end for sidecar use - who changed their forks?

#30

Post by pidjones »

I guess they could move the forks up in the clamps to return to stock height.
"Love 'em all.... let God sort 'em out!"
Ex 2006 GL1800 - the Black Pearl SOLD! to make room for:
2021 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited Dark Chalk Metallic
1975 Red GL1000 project - ex Pistol Pete project
1972 Triumph T150V Trident rescue - finished and FOR SALE!
1976 Yamaha RD400c
1978 GL1000 with '75 engine - the Hunley
Ex 1978 GL1000
Ex 1979 GL1000
Ex '79 CB750F rat bike
Ex '86 SEi
Ex '77 GL1000
Ex '76 RD400
Ex '72 Penton 125 set up for flat track
Ex '73 RD250
Ex '68 TR6C - chopped
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