Sidecar mountings

[Petrus]

To all members who have a sidecar fitted:

Please share photos of the mounting points on the R18 chassis.

Thank you,

 

[Petrus]

Carifying the why; I am rather a sidecar enthusiast and think the R18 simply ideal. Mine has reverse gear option so pan comido.

Getting it all done by a third party would cost me as much as the bike itself; like 13.5-14.0k.
Now I cannot get around having some done and certified by a professional workshop, but sourcing a chair and doing the groundwork myself will make it more surmountable.

P.e. buying the chair from the one stop fitter would be 8.5k minimum already whereas buying the same as NOS from an independent would be 3.5k.

I would help greatly to have some examples of how/where the fittings on the R18 frame can be mounted.

 

[R2K]

Forgive me for invading your post without being able to answer your request. I thought you may be interested in my project with what you are pondering. I am having this Watsonian Squire Grand Prix built at Texas sidecar and mounted to my R18FE. I can confirm it will cost around $12K when all is said and done. This includes the dealer mounting of $1500.00. It will also end up taking at least a year to complete. I agree with you that it is a perfect bike for a sidecar with the added benefit of reverse. I have a Harley with a sidecar that does not have a reverse and I get along with it just fine (sometimes I need a little push) so it will be a welcome advantage. Most of my riding is on RT’s currently a 2026 R1300RT Triple Black, but turning 70 next year I know the day is coming when I will need the extra wheel and I wanted to prepare before it is a necessity. When the car is delivered to the dealer and mounted I will certainly post pictures and be sure to show the mounting points for you, but it may not be timely for your needs.

 

[Petrus]

Thanks for your response. Sure looks a project..
I have a ´sports´ body like that from the 1940s hooked up to my 1929 Nimbus.
Lóve the shape but since I have one like that, going for something different on the R18.

Although the looks of an Inder Euro Classic are the dogs bollocks, feel more confident with a Velorex.

 

[Petrus]

These are the fittings and point which goes rear low is the most

 

[Petrus]

It will also end up taking at least a year to complete.

Excuse my curiosity but that seems very long.
Even here with enough red tape to wrap the whole combination in, it usually takes 2 - 2,5 months only.

I am still getting information and ducks in a row but the hardware part should take a few days only.
That observed there are still some nasty bears on the road.

 

[R2K]

Excuse my curiosity but that seems very long.
Even here with enough red tape to wrap the whole combination in, it usually takes 2 - 2,5 months only.

I am still getting information and ducks in a row but the hardware part should take a few days only.
That observed there are still some nasty bears on the road.

Initially I was told 6 months lead time for the car, but I ordered the unit in February and I still have not received a delivery date from Texas Sidecar so with shipping and then the dealer mounting it to my R18 I think I will be lucky to have it by February of next year. So it really is a matter of getting it in queue at Texas Sidecar and how much production is in front of it at the time of order.

 

[Petrus]

Initially I was told 6 months lead time for the car, but I ordered the unit in February and I still have not received a delivery date from Texas Sidecar so with shipping and then the dealer mounting it to my R18 I think I will be lucky to have it by February of next year. So it really is a matter of getting it in queue at Texas Sidecar and how much production is in front of it at the time of order.

Ok, get it. Lead time of Watsonian + Texas Sidecar + actual fitting.

Ordering from Inder in India would be some 3 months max. From Velorex factory about 1 and ordering from a reseller with stock or cars on order is basically within EU shipping time only. Could have a car with mounting kit here in about a week.
Fitting/having it fitted a seperate issue with consequences fro the last and highest hurdle.
Getting it homologised and entered in the vehicle registration documents.
The one stop shop would take some 2,5 months.

 

[laennecr]

It’s a Ural sidecar also mounted by Texas Sidecar Company. Mounting point seem the same as your pics. There are only so many place to attach the hack.

 

[Petrus]

Thanks for the photos.
Adds more perspective.
You´d be surprised how many different options there are. The bottom frame loop does not offer many options for the two bottom anchoring points because of exhaust and footrest. The latter though coúld be used as anchor point solving that issue. The other frame tubes offer options for a 5 point even if one so whishes. That observed attaching the rear top under the saddle seems the premium choice.

Meanwhile received price quote:
Velorex 562 2.000€ (in black)
Fitting kit 400
Tonneau and windshield 130
Shipping 300
So all in all 2.830€, add some loose bits and it gets to 3k only which is rather seductive.

Not found a fitter yet. Could do it myself but need a certified shop give a stamp of approval for the homologation. Also need a specialist connect the lighting of the chair to the CANbus.

 

[laennecr]

Used a Hex EZCan for the sidecar lighting. Works very well: https://www.hexinnovate.com/filter/jsf/epro-products/tax/product_cat:79;product_tag:107/

 

[Petrus]

Thank you for that tip and link.

 

[Petrus]

@laennecr

Still muddling ahead with informing myself proplery about sidecar install. Latest is that the vehicle electrics/electronics specialist ánd the ´nearest´ BMW dealer are clueless about the R18 can-bus.
Looks I will have to do that myself.
Do you have any pointers starting with where I can find the DWA plug?

The Velorex sidecar I am considering comes with the wiring to plug & play but NOT for Canbus ofcourse. Also the bulbs ar not LED. Will be very tricky to put LED equivalents in as the lamp housings are not homologated for that.
Setting the ampérage accordingly should do the trick?

Same for @R2K Has the dealer made you any the wiser on this subject? They will run up against the exact same with the Watsonian.

 

[laennecr]

The plug is under the left side panel near the OBD connector. It’s big and you can’t mistake it. I’ll post pics later today. From there I ran the cord behind the shock to the sidecar side and I have the EZ Can attached to the right pillion foot-peg support. From there all the Hex connectors run along the rear lower sidecar mount to the hack itself. Sounds like your dealer is lazy or doesn’t like money.

 

[Petrus]

The plug is under the left side panel near the OBD connector. It’s big and you can’t mistake it. I’ll post pics later today. From there I ran the cord behind the shock to the sidecar side and I have the EZ Can attached to the right pillion foot-peg support. From there all the Hex connectors run along the rear lower sidecar mount to the hack itself. Sounds like your dealer is lazy or doesn’t like money.

Thanks. Much appreciated.
The dealer is an überlarge BMW combined car and motorcycle dealer not much interested in the latter and thén only in selling electric ones so it is more a case of being interested in móre money.