Sidecar on the T120

[Jedz123]

We'll I'm starting a documentation thread of converting my 2018 Bonneville T120 over to a sidecar rig.

As many know I recently adopted a dog this past month and she has become quite bonded to me. We very much enjoy our car rides together and she especially loves sticking her head out the window while going down the road for sometimes, hours on end.

So I'm currently looking at doing this setup myself, I will likely buy a new side car from this website: http://www.rtsidecars.com/Classical-RocketTeer-Side-Car-Motorcycle-Sidecar-K-p/gsi-triumph-clasicl-rocketteer.htm the reason being is I am having a very hard time finding one use in my area...

I have ordered a 15' rear rim from a Speedmaster so I can run a car 165 80 15 rear car tire. I also ordered a rear 130 70R17 for the front, double darkside which was the recommendations I was offered for the getup.

I'll post more once the bits come in and I start putting things together.

I do have to note that having a dog is such a phenomenal experience. We had family dogs growing up but it's a whole new experience with my own canine and not having to share with my parents and 6 other siblings. So much love, so much partnership. Very symbiotic. I'm very motivated to get a side car rig set for the spring and can't wait to bring her with my on all my motorcycle adventures.

Cheers!

 

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Looking forward to this!

 

[LAB3]

Looks like it sits up pretty high compared to other ones I've seen but overall it's a good looking unit.

 

[Jedz123]

So I used my JedzMoto network and asked some close friends I've met through it to keep an eye out for me... last night "Ping!" I get an email from one of my buddies and had found a used Watsonian Monza side car rig. The price is much lower than budget and the tub is in really good shape with the alloy rim. So I put money down to hold it and as soon as I can have my good friend look at it and confirm its looks as good in person as it does over the pictures we will be good to go! It has the roof vynal and snap cover and an additional fuel cell.... Going to work out well for what I need it for.

Good news as it's a premium tub and I'm getting it for a fraction of what my budget was, score!

Info on the tub: https://www.watsonian-squire.com/product/watsonian-monza-sidecar/

 

[bccap]

There is a guy here in Vancouver with a sidecar and a dog I see from time to time in the summer..... He's got the dog wearing goggles and one of those old style aviator helmets.... You'd think the dog would be pawing to get them off but he appears to not care.... And the dog loves the attention he gets when parked from the sidewalk admirers .....

 

[Baatfam]

There is a guy here in Vancouver with a sidecar and a dog I see from time to time in the summer..... He's got the dog wearing goggles and one of those old style aviator helmets.... You'd think the dog would be pawing to get them off but he appears to not care.... And the dog loves the attention he gets when parked from the sidewalk admirers .....

Doggles....https://woof.doggles.com/

I need a pair for our pup in the little two seater. He already has a harness and seatbelt restraint.

 

[Steve]

Have you ever piloted a 3-wheeled device? :-k

Be prepared for a COMPLETELY different experience.

And having the third wheel on just one side (as opposed to equal-distant on a trike setup) just adds that "extra touch of excitement". :encouragement:

As others have mentioned or hinted, Doggles and a restraint are highly recommended.

.

 

[LAB3]

That Monza is one sharp looking set-up!

 

[Jedz123]

So I've been and will continue my work on my 3 wheeled build (and Doggie training) with Pete Burke.

Pete's Website Travels with Barley

And The BMW MOA podcast episode of Pete and his travels on a side car and his pup

My good friend and podcast host of the BMW MOA podcast; Wes, joined me up with Pete last week and now Pete and I are working on both the technical aspect of the build, modifying the tub for the pup, acquiring the needed equipment and also good training techniques I'm now working on with Zola. He said the pups have a hard time hearing on the tub so we are working tying her current commands to hand signals and man she is picking it up fast!

I have not ridden a side car rig but have operated a few 3 wheelers in my time, from the Can-am Ryker to a the Honda ATC125 and the larger 400. I understand the dynamics of the side car rig and Ryan made a great video on what to expect.

Yes I understand... 3 wheelers are not motorcycles and that the T120 will be transformed into a new vehicle; a sidecar rig... It will be a new machine and I also will need to amend it's registration specifications with the DMV. Definitely understand that... However I think the T120's new life will be fun and the prospect of the change will be worth it. Sure it won't be as fast, handle as well ( or should I say correctly) and it won't stop as quickly but if I can bring my new best friend with me everywhere, the endeavor is going to be well worth it...

So yeah Lab, that Monza was a STEAL! Very excited to get a properly made rig and it will compliment the T120 very well, apparently it's original tug was a Guzzi and it had no issue or struggle with moving it around. As the T120 is in the 90WHP and 90 ft/lbs of torque at 2.8K RPM with all the modifications I've done, I'm fairly confident it will work out well!

Well I'm off to go take the pup for another walk in the snow and work on some more hand signals. Pocket full of treats and poop bags (loving this new chapter in my life).

I'll update the build progress as parts land.

 

[Guest]

So, is your wife jealous of all the attention you're giving the dog instead of her? Asking for a friend.

 

[Jedz123]

Not at all since the dog was a gift from my wife. If anything it has strengthened our relationship and allowed us to experience being a family unit for the first time. It has been exceptional for my wife and I. Zola loves her Mommy and is very protective of her, they too have a special bond. My wife absolutely loves the dog and we often do things together as the 3 of us.
Since My wife and I are unable to have biological children bringing Zola into our lives has enriched it for the both of us, we are full of love and happiness... I didn't think it would be possible to enjoy our lives together more but it is...

Dogs are just awesome.

 

[trevor]

Good for you Jedz!
There are several guys here on the island that have sidecar rigs for their dogs. At least a couple are veterans with support dogs. I have a dog and have often thought about getting a sidecar...but she is 12....I've told my wife that when we get another dog I will be buying a sidecar unit. I can't think of anything better to do than ride with my dog.

 

[Guest]

You don't need to use a sidecar... https://www.google.com/search?hl=en...QxMC4xmAEAoAEBqgELZ3dzLXdpei1pbWc&sclient=img

 

[Jedz123]

You don't need to use a sidecar... https://www.google.com/search?hl=en...QxMC4xmAEAoAEBqgELZ3dzLXdpei1pbWc&sclient=img

Those won't work for me. 60lbs dog and still growing, she'll need the side car especially when we go across the country.

 

[Jedz123]

Good for you Jedz!
There are several guys here on the island that have sidecar rigs for their dogs. At least a couple are veterans with support dogs. I have a dog and have often thought about getting a sidecar...but she is 12....I've told my wife that when we get another dog I will be buying a sidecar unit. I can't think of anything better to do than ride with my dog.

Thanks Trev!
After several back and forths with Pete and other Triumph Bonneville owners that have side car rigs on their bikes (for their dogs too) I'm really looking forward with going this route. Can't wait to explore this new branch of motorcycling!

 

[storm 64]

I was at a hotel in Kansas. At breakfast I met a lady traveling with her dog, a small dog. She rode a big Harley Davidson touring bike. She had a little "dog house" pet carrier tied to the seat behind her. She says the dog loves it. The dog just jumps in and ready to go. She says she travels all over just her and her dog. I thought, that's pretty cool.

 

[Jedz123]

Rear rim and tire landed from the donor a 2007 Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster. I'm going to need to make some custom spacers and the T120 rotor and crush crush drive are not compatible to the rim... So I cleaned the up, painted and mounted the car tire...
Some one was excited when the mail came in, as if she knew it was really for her :love_heart:

Rim Cleaned up and bearings checked (in good shape) added some grease and painted.
Before:

After:

Than I put the dark side tire on a 165 80 R15.

So I ordered some new bits and more Speedmaster rear bits to try to make sure the rear wheel will fit correctly.

My buddy checks out the sidecar on Thursday. Hope I will have the tub set for pickup by the end of the week!

The new front tire should be landing soon.

 

[Jedz123]

Sidecar secured!
Just purchased a 80's Watsonian Monaco Mark 2 sidecar. It will need a new tire (ordered) and I plan to either check and repack or replace the bearings. It doesn't have a fuel cell and the roof is in need of repair however I secured it for a very cheap price... It is being shipped up and to say it's still under half than buying a no name unit new.

The tub is in mint shape (no scratches or damage to the Fiberglas tub, no rust as it's from the south). The side car has a very large rear (flat) trunk so I could mount a givi case on top for even more storage. The rack for the Bonneville will no longer need to be used as their is ALLOT of space in the nose and the trunk.

So From what I can gather on the Monaco Mark 2 is that it's a sport touring tub, often paired with R80's and other "big" 1000cc "sport touring" bikes of it's vintage. Very large bearings designed for bikes pushing 600lbs range. this one has the 10" (Mini) steel tubeless rim. So with the Bonneville now weighing in at 430lbs It will be a nice tug for it. So the total setup will be in the 640lbs range I'm guessing. I'll be running radials on all 3 corners and I'll be playing and working the geometry once it gets warmer again. For now I'll bring the tub into my shop and start to go over it thoroughly. the tire I ordered for the sidecar is a modern radial that looks vintage Coker CARMAC 145 80 R10.

They also made some bias trailer tires in this size but decided to go with a radial as it would likely yield a much higher service life than the bias...
Trailer get picked up in KY tomorrow and should land in Vermont by the weekend. I used the site U-Ship to source bids. Allot of varying bids but I went with 1 guy that has been on U-ship for several years and has 80 positive reviews just this past year. Cost me $450 to ship from KY to VT and that's about $150 more than it would cost me in fuel to go down and pickup myself... So FYI there. Had a few quotes in the $1200 rand, couple $900 range and some in the $300-$500 range but the guy I chose had the best experience and hauls sidecars often.

I'll be making a video on the build soon. As for the Doggo we spent the afternoon yesterday in the car working on commands for the side car (sit, down, up, look and leave it) She's super smart, positive reinforcement works the best!

Have a great week.

 

[LAB3]

Major envy scoring that one! As to any geometry issues, do you think you'll need to tweek the rake on the Bonnie?

 

[Jedz123]

Major envy scoring that one! As to any geometry issues, do you think you'll need to tweek the rake on the Bonnie?

As I've read the best (and ultimate upgrade) is to go with leading link front suspension. However for now I plan to keep the standard rake and forks as many with Bonneville's say the standard fork does a "decent" job. I would have to craft my own, a project down the line. I've been immersing myself in side car rig setups to fully understand how the rig should go down the road. The goal is to have the rig go straight while cruising around 35-50mph. That all can be achieved by properly setting your toe in and lean in/out correctly. I have a feeling it will take allot of trial and error. Once set I plan to practice allot before bringing Z with me on a trip. However my wife and I are excited about loading the bike and side car up and going for little camping adventures as a family.

Good resource here. http://www.dmcsidecars.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/BASIC-SIDECAR-INSTRUCTIONS.pdf