V7 as a sidecar hauler...

[Richard Ducati]

...anyone done this? I have a Steib LS200 chair that I'm buying and am considering using my V7 Special as the tug. Yeah, I know...

 

[GTM®]

...anyone done this? I have a Steib LS200 chair that I'm buying and am considering using my V7 Special as the tug. Yeah, I know...

Not personally, but we've had one in the shop, and know of several here in SoCal and on the web. See below. Recommendations would be to use the V7 III as a minimum base to add it to. The newer the better unless you add my 820cc big bore kit to a Mk III.

 

[V700Steve]

I would not put one on an older Small Block because of the ball type end on the driveshaft & rear drive. Might last a month. Sidecars are rough on drivetrains . Post 2021 V7's V7-850 & V85TT has a strait shaft of more surface of splines and 2 u-joints.
I've got 150Kmi on Guzzi rigs so far.
I would look into a heavier flywheel also, makes a huge difference on drivetrain longevity.

 

[Richard Ducati]

I would not put one on an older Small Block because of the ball type end on the driveshaft & rear drive. Might last a month. Sidecars are rough on drivetrains . Post 2021 V7's V7-850 & V85TT has a strait shaft of more surface of splines and 2 u-joints.
I've got 150Kmi on Guzzi rigs so far.
I would look into a heavier flywheel also, makes a huge difference on drivetrain longevity.

Thanks. This is the kind of input I needed to dissuade me from using my V7. Well, honestly, Todd's response also did due to the monetary requirement...but yours was even more compelling. I have an equally HP challenged airhead BMW that can be the mule, but I like the V7's manners - as well as its electric start! The beemer is a '66, so no electric leg...but it has sidecar lugs on the frame from the factory and can be easily fitted with a sidecar ratio rear end (finding one to buy is the challenge though).

 

[kenrover]

...anyone done this? I have a Steib LS200 chair that I'm buying and am considering using my V7 Special as the tug. Yeah, I know...

Hi.
Unless your chair is an absolute featherweight, I wouldn't as per the reasons V700Steve has outlined. I ran an outfit on a T3 (more torque, heavier flywheel) and eventually (well, not too long) it ruined some parts of the drivetrain, notably the clutch friction plates and the splined shaft they sit on. The load actually twisted the splines out of true. Result: Needed to slip the clutch more, bigger load on transmission, more problems. A vicious circle. And an expensive, time-consuming one. I rectified this by eventually fitting 16" wheels, which effectively lowered the gearing.
Good luck with your project!

 

[Richard Ducati]

Hi.
Unless your chair is an absolute featherweight, I wouldn't as per the reasons V700Steve has outlined. I ran an outfit on a T3 (more torque, heavier flywheel) and eventually (well, not too long) it ruined some parts of the drivetrain, notably the clutch friction plates and the splined shaft they sit on. The load actually twisted the splines out of true. Result: Needed to slip the clutch more, bigger load on transmission, more problems. A vicious circle. And an expensive, time-consuming one. I rectified this by eventually fitting 16" wheels, which effectively lowered the gearing.
Good luck with your project!

Yeah, I've pretty much nixed the idea based on your and Steve's input. The LS200 is indeed a very light sidecar - they were hauled about using 12-13 HP bmw single cylinder (250 cc) machines in the '50s - but the price of the potential damage of hooking it to my V7 is too steep. I have other machines to serve as the tug for this boat. Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[Vagrant]

There is a guy on another site that has one on I believe a 2016 V7 II. Of course he has burned up one engine so far.

 

[Dirk Shearer]

There is a guy on another site that has one on I believe a 2016 V7 II. Of course he has burned up one engine so far.

That guy sounds like a dummy

I chalk it up to growing pains as I continue to learn about sidecars and air-cooled machines. Case in point—with the extra side load, and only a 2 liter oil capacity, one must be more aware of oil consumption, especially under extra load (like chauffeuring porky passengers at WOT for 2 hours). I know they’re not the same machine, but I bet if I had followed the recommendation found in a Ural owner manual and taken more breaks, I wouldn’t have experienced the big end bearing throw.

Anyway, the bike’s back in business and seems to be doing well a few hundred miles post-rebuild. And I’m absolutely more mindful of oil consumption now. I’m actually planning to sell the V7 II and possibly upgrade to a V7 III or V9, but honestly, if the V7 II weren’t a one-year only model, I’d probably be keeping it.





Pretty much any bike can pull a sidecar, but your expectations have to be considered realistically with regard to what you plan to do with it. Me—I’m a commuter, camper, off-roader, and one who likes to do 75-80 mph. That last bit is what I need to work on, regardless of the moto I’m riding.

 

[GTM®]

Case in point—with the extra side load, and only a 2 liter oil capacity, one must be more aware of oil consumption

Indeed. Last one below. The V7 Mk III & IV can’t accept one. You’re stuck with 1.6L (actual/usable/recommended - tons of info here on this).

GTM V7 Sump Spacer Kit - Black

GTM® v2.0 Black CNC V7 I & II and Breva/Nevada 750 Sump Spacers CLOSEOUT PRICING - LAST REMAINING COUNT SHOWN Install for a piece of mind in raising the oil capacity in your small block ~64%, from a measly 1.6 to 2.5L. Small blocks have been known over the years to consume oil when least...

gtmotocycles.com

 

[Dirk Shearer]

Indeed. Last one below. The V7 Mk III & IV can’t accept one. You’re stuck with 1.6L (actual/usable/recommended - tons of info here on this).

GTM V7 Sump Spacer Kit - Black

GTM® v2.0 Black CNC V7 I & II and Breva/Nevada 750 Sump Spacers CLOSEOUT PRICING - LAST REMAINING COUNT SHOWN Install for a piece of mind in raising the oil capacity in your small block ~64%, from a measly 1.6 to 2.5L. Small blocks have been known over the years to consume oil when least...

gtmotocycles.com

Thanks, Todd—I would 100% buy one IF I didn’t take the bike off-road as I do. Sump spacer + skid plate makes for some low ground clearance, unfortunately. But anyone else considering a V7 II and sidecar combo would certainly benefit greatly with the extra peace of mind!