Thank you G-Man peter4821 Irutt for your input,
A little more history here: I'm the fourth owner, and I have contacted the second owner and he confirmed the story that the original owner was an engineer, and he designed and built this all metal sidecar. I asked more questions (by email) and the second owner wanted no more communication.
The sidecar has suspension and a shock under there. I took the rig by a friends today, who is a fabricator/welder extraordinaire, and we both examined the design and fabrication and found it to be quite sound, and the frame mounting point also sound. I would have expected to have found some scabbed on welds for patches/repairs but found none. I believe the design has proven itself worthiness from the test of time and milage it's been through, but it will be monitored. The front bracket (square) goes through another square tubing, attached to the front of the rig, and this provides adjustment for toe-in or out. Quite simple.
The original mileage is claimed to be 12,000 and this rig could be 49 years old. It has held up very well, just wish I could find the builder to get all the details. Irutt you mentioned riding it no more than a couple of thousand miles a year, I've got almost one thousand miles in the last six weeks. Sally and I are having fun. The old tires were so stiff and after putting on the Cokers this last weekend, and a scooter whitewall on the sidecar (larger than the original), the ride improved 138% ! Unbelievable difference and I'm quite happy with the results.
Brakes ? We don't need no stinking brakes ! The brake shoes had plenty of meat on them, but were glazed over, so they were glass beaded to fresh material. Put the entire wheel in the blaster and shot the brake drums clean too. Yes Yes the bearings were taped and triple taped to keep the glass out. Results ? Rear brake is working GREAT and the front shows a little improvement. Oh well.
Suspension, it is what it is. Keeps me alert for pot holes and low manholes !
Over all condition of the rig/bike is awesome but when I got it home I found it had been neglected. Dirty dirty oil,chain was soooo loose, petcock and float bowl were jellied up with old gas and bike wouldn't run. Notice the spark plug caps. The metal shields are still in place. First thing we use to take off when they were new. Haven't seen any of those in years. It has been repainted but over all a very nice example. I have a few old Hondas, but had never had a desire for a Dream but with that sidecar I fell in love. I need an extra arm to wave at all the waving fans I see on the street. While cornering two hands are needed on the bars.
Thanks for your continued support, Mike
