Try our new info resource - "Aladdin's Cave" (Main menu)Just added a separate link to Ash's Dropbox thread (shortcut)
The springs were something I'm trying out as a more sophisticated way to compensate for the extra weight than 6" pre load spacers used previously. I honestly cannt remember if that means I actually used a different set of forks though - I think I did. Certainly didn't dare strip the 6" preload spacer forks. Does seem to handle a bit better. Sadly means I loose the gators. An Arial square 4? At one stage that was my dream bike. These days this old bikes my ultimate bike.
The handling is part of the joy of side cars, I found mine really hard to stop shaking its head at some speeds but eventually learned techniques to deal with it though riding style. I find if you try to hold the steering tight and steer by muscle power it will probably literally throw you off and into a hedge. However let it shake a bit and give it a bit of leeway and it becomes quite fun. When my steering damper let go I actually didn't bother replacing it. I did at one point have a sidecar combo with leading link forks and a host of other improvements that fixed the quirky handling, I actually found it a lot less fun as a result. So far post rebuild I've put 22 miles on the clock, carbs flood a fair bit, and the fuel tap bowl sprung a leak, pitted from the inside, replaced that with one off another project. Have taken the kids for a spin, from fairly indifferent they both seem to quite like it after a quick trip each - the elder demanded a second circuit of the village. I might have to refit the rear seat and passenger window. Plenty of jobs to do on it still, but I'm chuffed to bits getting to take it for a spin again after all these years. The engines sweet, pulls well.
That brings back memories, bought 2 bikes from Charlie, he was always good fun and his place in Eckington was always one of our regular ride outs. (Attachment Link)