Dark side tire install and trailer hitch

[Subhunter76]

Well I went to the Darkside this weekend on my sidecar rig. I had bought a spare rim and mounted a car tire on it, replaced the wheel bearings. What a pain it was to swap out the wheels with the side car attached, I did it in my driveway and was not able to lift up the cases to do it, I had to remove both side bags. Not to bad after all that was done. The trailer hitch I got off eBay last season, it didn't come with instructions and there was no maker on it but I was able to figure out how to mount it. Just need to order the the plug and play harness for the hitch wiring. Found some mouse nest between the side case and top case, cleaned that out and put dryer sheets there to deter the next guest. Took the rig for a ride the next morning and it seems to be much more stable in the turns and accelerating felt like more grip. Time will tell I suppose. Now I just need to come up with and auxiliary fuel tank so I can get more tha 125 miles out of a fill up.

[aj1500]

looks good, I think your going to be very happy on the dark side
have you put a rear tire on the front yet, if not you should consider that as well

[ct1500]

That would have been the time to replace the torn shock boot.

[Dusty Boots]

That would have been the time to replace the torn shock boot.

Exactly my thoughts!

What size/brand of tire did you put on??

[WingAdmin]

I have the same trailer hitch on my bike, and after one season I found that the bolts holding those clamps onto the frame and hitch frame had come loose - quite a few of them - and the hitch was flopping around as a result.

I put high strength Loctite on those bolts and tightened them back up, and never had a problem since. I highly recommend doing the same.

[Subhunter76]

Didn't see the shock boot problem until I was already into it. Looking to do something with the front tire but need to figure out brand, size and such. Good point on the hitch I think I'll go back and add some loctight.

[aj1500]

I can tell you from exp. that the batlax is not a good tire for the sidecar set up, it cups bad way to soon in it's life
I like the pilot activ, it handles real good and doesn't begin cupping as quick, it is also easier to grind the cupping away
than the batlax was

[Dusty Boots]

The Pilot Activ is a lot better handling tire as well.
I tried the Battle Axe twice ...... 1st n last time!!!

[aj1500]

I tried the Battle Axe twice ...... 1st n last time!!!

that's funny as that was my thoughts exactly

[Subhunter76]

The tire I used is a Federal Formoza FD2 175/60R15 , it’s been a great tire still have it on the factory rim.