Beau-Kat

Gotcha. Maybe that is where this one was mounted. The sidecar was at one location and the bike it had been attached to was at another. The bike hadn't run in years and was pretty much a carcass. I had to go to the bike to remove some things, quick connect ss brake line, the one clamp that I could find, and a few other things. I texted the lady today to see if she could find any more parts for the sidecar. She said her husband hoarded all kinds of stuff and she is trying to get all the sheds and buildings sorted out now. Hopefully, she will find some more things that I need to try to get this car attached to one of my Ventures soon. I know that all the Wing attachment stuff will not just "hook up" to my bike. But, maybe I'll get lucky and not have to buy too many things. Thanks for your response.

What do you mean by right side box?

Here's some photos. Dang. Forgot to take measurements of the hole and clamp sizes. I added some photos of the car. From the small tail light and windshield external hinges, I think it was made between 1988 and 1993. Anyone seen a fuel cell like that one in the photos? Got it and a fuel pump with the sidecar. It looks like about a 3 gallon and says Champion Sidecar on it. Don't know where the previous owner had it installed.

Good idea. I'll try to upload a few pictures and identify the dimensions today or tomorrow.

Thanks. We have a farm supply place and a big truck place near me.

Thanks for the idea. Sadly, CSC doesn't support the sidecars anymore. From what I understand, they only do trikes now. I found a place that offers the clamps that connect to the motorcycle frame. But they want $105 for each clamp. May have to just bite the bullet and buy 3 of those anyway.

As many of you may remember, my wife and I adopted a 16 month old (Simon) 2.5 years ago. Well, he will be 4 next month. How time flies! We will be adopting again this summer. Another son (Evan) with the same condition as Simon (Albinism). He will be 4 in August, so they may be mistaken for twins. My wife said that I need to get a sidecar. So, I just purchsed a 2 passenger California Sidecar Friendship 3 that was made between 1988 and 1993. It was connected to a Goldwing 1500 and I have most of the brackets, only missing 3 clamps. The previous owner is cleaning up and may find those. Of course, I know that I would have to change some things, do some modifications (and paint it) to make the car fit one of my Yamahas. It is in good shape and I intended to hook it up to the Royale, but after reading some posts on sidecar sites about rear tire mileage going way, way down, I think I might put it on the RSV and use a car tire when my new tire wears out. Since I wouldn't be leaning around corners anymore, I think the car tire would work fine. Due to the narrower rear rim, a car tire really isn't an option for a Royale, is it? Comments or suggestions truly appreciated.

Sad that I missed the M&E. Looks like y'all had a good time. I was riding in the mountains - but in our minivan Hopefully, next time.

Just wondering. What was the last year of the RSTD? Was it 2009 or 2010?

UPS just delivered a new front Metzeler for my MM today. Have 17,000 miles now on the old front Metzeler. That's about average front or rear for me on my previous sets of Metz. Try to run 41psi front and 42 rear. Do mainly solo light load interstate riding below 80mph indicated. Old front tire's tread still looks good. No cupping/chunking/cracking that I can see. Handling is just starting to feel kinda crappy, so I'll break out my tools and install the new one tomorrow. My 88 Royale has E3s. I seem to like them pretty well. But so far, only put about 5000 miles on them, so the jury's still out.

Looking at your photo, am I seeing a couple of frame/weld cracks just aft of your kickstand flange?

My wife had a 1996 model and loved it. It had an upper fuel tank and a lower fuel tank. The cool thing (like my VMax) was that it had an electric handlebar switch for the fuel reserve. The carb diaphragms are famous for getting stiff over time. Hers got to where it would not run over 50. Replaced the diaphragms and it ran like a champ. It's a short bike. I'm 5'9" and rode it some, but would have liked some more stretching room.

I've been there a few times. Unfortunately, each time I had led a large group of riders there and had a lot of time constraints on me to get everyone back to camp on time. I am a gear-head and wanted to thoroughly look at everything in the place:detective:. If I were you, I would plan at least 4 or 5 hours there. If someone with you gets bored, they can go get ice cream up the street while you finish looking. When I was there we were told that all but about 6 bikes in there would run. The owner, Dale Walksler, will often crank up bikes and give parking lot demonstrations for you. He's a real cool, "motorcycles in his blood" kinda guy. Have a good visit.

I agree. My mileage runs about the same on the MM.

Today, my wife and I agreed to pursue another adoption. That would make six kids for us. Somehow, after coming to that decision today, I don't feel as old as I did yesterday.

Several years ago, I closed the garage door on my cb antennae. It broke in the same place as yours did. I repaired mine with the barrel of a common black permanent marker. I removed the marker's guts and heated the barrel with my heat gun. I slid it over the broken part of the cb antennae. It cooled and contracted for a tight sealed fit. My radio has worked perfectly ever since.

Praise report!!! You may remember that two years ago, we adopted our son, Simon. It was from my daughter's call to "M" work in foreign orphanages that she first met him and we eventually became his "Forever Family". He's 3 1/2 now and doing just fine. What a blessing to us. Now, when either my wife or I go somewhere, upon returning, Simon always says, "You came back!" We tell him that we will always come back. It's a security thing. I grew up in foster homes. I know how important a stable place to live can be. Last week, that daughter of ours returned from 1 1/2 years "M" work in the far east. Her goal was to get a certain orphanage open to international adoption there. Children would just be sent or abandoned there and stay forever, with no hope. Well, although she is very tenacious and doesn't accept "no" too often, she still gave herself 2 years to accomplish this task that HE (the one upstairs) placed upon her heart. However, HE had other plans and HE did it in about 15 months!!! Several children have their "Forever families" now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have another daughter in Europe in M school now. Y'all can pray for her too. Last Sunday, I was invited to a wedding where two of my former youth ministry students were getting married. The bride to be asked if I had a song that I would like played. As a dad, I could think of just one, "That's My Job", by Conway Twitty. Makes you think... If you dads out there have a minute, please listen to that one today and think about your sons and daughters and what's most important to them (that you are their DAD). I also have an adult son in the military who is estranged from me. Don't know why, he just quit communicating. You can pray for openings in communication there too. If ya got kids, I don't care if they are 60 now, give them a hug or a phone call today. Cause nothing can take the place of a father's love.

#181 and currently @ 56,000 miles. Owned it since June 2002.

Glad you are ok, Joe. I try to leave a lot of room and try to have an exit plan at all lights and intersections. Sometimes, things just don't line up right for us though. I used to drive trucks in the 70s. Believe it when you see their trailer stickers that say, "Please don't follow too closely. If you can't see me (the truck driver) in my mirrors, I can't see you behind me either". It doesn't matter the cause after you have been flattened. Ride safe friend.

I would welcome a kickstarter on any bike. If the bore(s) is/are large, manufacturers could just add a compression release just like on my SR500. When I boought my first Maxim in 1980, there was no kickstart. I had some trepidation then. And cassettes? Still got a few. Yesterday, I went to our CMA meeting on the MM. I just had to chuckle a bit knowing that I was riding a 13 year old bike while listening to a 30+ year old cassette of Fleetwood Mac. Retro meets techno.

I do like Interstate batteries. I bought a Deka AGM from Sky-doc for my 1st gen and am happy with it. And then bought a Deka ETX20L from him for my MM. Happy with it too. When needed, I've charged them with my "smart" electronic charger without incident so far. It won't bring any totally dead battery back to life unless I hook another battery in tandem with it to fool the charger.

I have one that I have used on my older bikes. Worked o.k. on my XJ650. Easy plug access on that bike. Haven't tried it on anything newer that 20 or so yrs old.

That's what I plan. All by hand and lightly sanding, then inspecting, then repeat if necessary. Does the 2000 or 3000 sandpaper seem to be best for this? Or maybe something else? I've watched this on tv and seems they use some sort of soap film or something with the water when doing cars.

Hey guys. A couple of weeks ago, while removing some antiquated painted-on pinstripes on my 1981 Midnight Maxim using scratch remover and a lot of elbow grease, I inadvertantly removed too much paint (only a couple of match head sized areas). I had to lightly spray some of the front fender with a good quality rattle can paint.The paint matches pretty doggone well. I have some 2000 and 3000 sandpaper I was planning to use to wet sand the slight orange peel texture smooth and then buff polish it to a good shine. Am I on the right track? I lean toward the mechanical technology and am new to the paint and body world. Any suggestions would be very appreciated.

Be safe and have a great trip. A friend on his Valkyrie and I on the MM did 1140 miles in 20 hours a few years ago. Had a lot of fun. He turned his paperwork. Somehow, I forgot to turn in mine. Guess I'll have to do it again, but go for the 1500 miles in 36 hours one. I loved the experience. I think I remember the association recommending to do like 1050 or 1080 motorcycle odo miles to account for any error. With gps keeping up with the miles these days, that may not be a problem. Looking to see a report when you get back.