sidecar conversion

[evantd]

I have a 1963 Ural sidecar bike that I'm converting.  I'm documenting the process at http://itya.blogspot.com/.  It's heavy.  I've removed the engine but it's still ~500 pounds.  With batteries and motor, it seems like it will probably get up over 1000 pounds.  Add two people and a dog or some cargo, and we're looking at moving up to 1500 pounds.  The sidecar is made of pretty thick metal, so I'm thinking I might cut out some pieces of panel and replace them with fiberglass or something, while leaving the frame in tact of course.  Also, the bike is originally shaft-driven, so changing to chain-driven would simplify the overall design and drop some weight, but might be difficult to accomplish.  What do you think?  Should I switch from shaft to chain?  How much work do you think it would be?

[rjf]

Very interesting project.  I think I would personally keep the shaft drive, never had a shaft drive, no experience with it, but I seem to have replaced my chain an awful lot and think I would prefer the lower maintenance of a shaft drive.

Here's a wacky idea.  Most bike conversion seem to be direct chain drive, but...  I'm "working" on a EX500 conversion and plan to keep the transmission.  I will need to build an adapter so the electric motor can attach directly to the transmission input shaft.  I also need to chop the block in half and just keep the transmission portion.  Perhaps this will be easier on your conversion as the transmission and engine may be separate components, I'm not sure.  Keeping the transmission might also help with such a heavy bike.

[Bruce]

I'd vote to keep the shaft drive too. 

Is the transmission on a Ural seperate from the motor like on a Moto Guzzi?  If so, perhaps you could keep the clutch as well as the gears and final drive.  Just a thought. 

Sounds like a fun conversion!

[cromag]

Keep the shaft drive, and make the sidecar the battery box, or most of it. You will have to keep the footwell area clear, but the storage under the seat and behind would be useful. Getting rid of the URAL motor is a great idea!