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Clever design?

  • <i class="fa--xf fal fa-check "><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" role="img" aria-hidden="true" ><use href="/data/local/icons/light.svg?v=1789222567#check"></use></svg></i> Discussion starter Discussion starter Petrus
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Petrus

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 18, 2025
Messages
1,378
Location
Vva. del Rosario - Málaga - España
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Bike
R18 sidecar, Nimbus Type C sidecar, Vespas
During the sidecar build I have started and parked the engine a few times without driving/warming properly.
I have noted that the catalytic converters leak/drain the water which is produced by the chemical conversion.
That seems a clever design as there is nó gas leak.
 
Noelpolar said:
Maybe it was tears..... no longer free to lean into corners, live the care free single life..... might just need some time to adjust to the "crush" (phajaan).
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Still have the two Vespas; About to go on route to a Vespa club outing. Some 160 kms mountain twisties with 150 of them.

I am surprised btw at the easy with which the R18 rig moves and had not expected the relief of worry crossing through andalucian white villages.
 
Petrus said:
Still have the two Vespas; About to go on route to a Vespa club outing. Some 160 kms mountain twisties with 150 of them.

I am surprised btw at the easy with which the R18 rig moves and had not expected the relief of worry crossing through andalucian white villages.
Click to expand...
Nice... the one for sale in aussie for $35k seems to have been sold. In general, when towing or heavy hauling I look for a heavy (relatively) tow vehicle, long wheel base and torquey motor.... so R18 seems a natural to some extent.

My wife witnessed a sidecar accident back in her earlier years (lad got a sidecar rig, took his mother for a ride, lost control, went into oncoming traffic, mother killed by impact with the car in front of my wifes car.... so sidecar rulled out of our life experiences no matter how much logic is applied.
 
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As you mentioned freedom @Noelpolar , does your wife´s unfortunate understandable trauma apply to you too? 🫣

No seriously, she has a point. Sidecars are so much different that it needs to be taken véry serious.
My current R18 build is my fifth rig. All very different so lovely palet of experiences. Saturday still was nearly caught out by a tight, inclined/off camber 120 degree corner: There was a car parked where not allowed making my radius even tighter. I should not have entered the corner based on expectation. With a solo bike or a car you can just brake, with a rig not always. This was such. Clutch in, monkey-ed myself half on the tub
 
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