brake question for sidecar
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2008
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brake question for sidecar
Have a 2008 Dyna with an aftermarket sidecar attached with an identical 2008 Dyna wheel and brake on the sidecar. The controls have to be on the handlebars unable to use the foot pedal so am trying to figure how to use all 3 brakes with levers. 1 idea is to just put a larger master cylinder on the front brake and drive all 3 brakes from that master cylinder. Also looked into the thumb brake but the maker said there would not be enough stopping power. Another company makes a 2 lever brake system but I dont feel like knocking off a bank and thats what I's have to do if I wanted to buy it.
Am also interested in talking to anyone who has already strung up a sidecar with cabled and wires. Not sure of the measurments from bike to sidecar and would be easier to go off someone elses templete who has already done this.
We have everything else going, getting it painted this weekend will post photos when finished.
thanks
Am also interested in talking to anyone who has already strung up a sidecar with cabled and wires. Not sure of the measurments from bike to sidecar and would be easier to go off someone elses templete who has already done this.
We have everything else going, getting it painted this weekend will post photos when finished.
thanks
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 23
From: Summit, Mississippi
This has worked for others doing a similar thing on a trike. If you have dual front calipers, you can plug-off one of those and the front MC will drive the three calipers...1 for sidecar...1 for rear wheel and 1 front caliper. If you only have one front caliper, you can reduce the size of that one to one with a smaller piston size. As far as that goes, you could also reduce the size of the rear calipers too, but do both if you look at that. You will be very hard pressed to find a larger single MC. I do think some manufacturers make one for the earlier bikes in a 3/4 bore. You can cruise the Hayes website or other aftermarket brake manufacturers to see, but I am sure you won't find a bolt-on over 3/4 bore.
I know what you mean about the double front MC....$1850 for the material cost and it's butt-ugly by the time you get it all plumbed-up.
You can do this...it's just a matter of matching the caliper volumes to the MC volume to achieve a good ratio. Also...we all know that it is not smart to fool with the brakes, but for people that are not able to use the foot pedal...it's understandable and any of us that can should help you do that.
There are some sidecars out there that have controls in the sidecar as well, but those get expensive also. It just takes some fooling around with caliper sizes and MC bores and you can make this work.
This is an overview, but if you want to PM me, I will give you a few more details. And...yes to wait and see what other posters may have to offer.
I know what you mean about the double front MC....$1850 for the material cost and it's butt-ugly by the time you get it all plumbed-up.
You can do this...it's just a matter of matching the caliper volumes to the MC volume to achieve a good ratio. Also...we all know that it is not smart to fool with the brakes, but for people that are not able to use the foot pedal...it's understandable and any of us that can should help you do that.
There are some sidecars out there that have controls in the sidecar as well, but those get expensive also. It just takes some fooling around with caliper sizes and MC bores and you can make this work.
This is an overview, but if you want to PM me, I will give you a few more details. And...yes to wait and see what other posters may have to offer.
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2008
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concerned a 2 master cylinder FLH brake will feel spongy
If I try and run all 3 brakes with 1 lever 2 mastercylinder hand brake it will probably be spongy and weak so just going to put the control to front wheel and 1 other wheel. Cant decide to put the brake to tug or sidecar, they probably each have their consequences but I have only put about 20 miles in a sidecar my while life so not sure what might happen.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 23
From: Summit, Mississippi
Not a good idea.
If you are going to use just two calipers...I would activate the rear brake on the bike and the sidecar brake. If you load the car and hit the brakes with only one rear working, it will pull to one side. If you do use just the rears...you need to make sure both rear calipers are exactly alike or it will still pull.
I know this is your business and you can try what you want, I just think you are headed for trouble of you don't brake both back wheels. I realize a sidecar rig is not balanced like a trike, but I still think that it would be a bit dangerous. The front MC alone will pull three calipers if they are sized right and you can find various sizes of Harley-style calipers of smaller volume. I'd really try three.
If you are going to use just two calipers...I would activate the rear brake on the bike and the sidecar brake. If you load the car and hit the brakes with only one rear working, it will pull to one side. If you do use just the rears...you need to make sure both rear calipers are exactly alike or it will still pull.
I know this is your business and you can try what you want, I just think you are headed for trouble of you don't brake both back wheels. I realize a sidecar rig is not balanced like a trike, but I still think that it would be a bit dangerous. The front MC alone will pull three calipers if they are sized right and you can find various sizes of Harley-style calipers of smaller volume. I'd really try three.
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