Rocket sidecar duty

[CCjon]

Just picked up a 2011 R3 to be the replacement tug for a sidecar camper set up. Will be replacing a well traveled worn out vstrom1000. The objective is not speed but torque and reliability. Am pushing a lot of air with the broad flat front end.

Any recommended sources for R3 aftermarket parts to make the adaptation are appreciated: Triple trees, rear shocks, three into one left side exhaust mod, auto tires, aux fuel tank and fuel line plumbing, tech knowledge for tapping into fuel system, etc., etc., etc...

Mods to accomplish:
Raising rear with longer shocks, and front with fork extensions for more ground clearance.
Reduce trail on bike for easier steering
Go Darkside to get more range out of rear tire
Double darkside for larger, longer wearing contact patch on front tire
Add five gallon aux fuel cell behind solo seat for extended range
Switch to auto battery for more cranking and reserve power
Raise seat height, add back rest for all day riding
Add large left pannier for gear storage
Wire in fuse block for added lighting and accessories.

Am planning a ride next summer from Key West to Prudhoe Bay for the "new" R3/camper rig.
Rig as currently configured is my avatar.

Am open to any ideas, tech help, suggestions.

CCjon

 

[barbagris]

Are you planning to use the standard Teledraulic front - or move to leading link?

If you simply stiffen up the teledraulics springing to get about 22-25mm static sag - You'll immediately gain about an inch of clearance up front. But leading links are better.

Rear don't over lengthen or you'll potentially stress the UJ. An 1" will be fine.

Fuse box - look at New Amplink PDM - PDM60

 

[CCjon]

Leading links would be ideal, but if not available, will look at extension tubes for forks. Gaining ground clearance is the objective.
Thank you for confirming that going with 13.5" rear shocks would not be a problem.

 

[Nat67]

Don't bother with the sidecar nonsense . wind up the rear shocks , fit a tow bar and you can tow a caravan , or as they say in Merica a Aluminum trailer !

 

[CCjon]

"Don't bother with the sidecar nonsense..." LOL Yeah when I get too old and can't handle a sidecar anymore, gonna get me cr**ch rocket.

 

[Nat67]

"Don't bother with the sidecar nonsense..." LOL Yeah when I get too old and can't handle a sidecar anymore, gonna get me cr**ch rocket.

That's the spirit . sounds kinda familiar eh GOC ?

 

[Grumpy Ole Codger]

I resemble that remark...

 

[CCjon]

With a new taller rear auto tire and longer rear shocks, now need to raise the front to re-level the bike before a subframe is designed and built for the sidecar.
Discovered the 2011 had changes mid-model year. Mine is a higher VIN number. Triple tree manufacturers have made yokes/rake kits for the early models but not the later. No one can tell me exactly what the changes were in 2011 with the front forks. Anyone??????

Am having a local machine shop make two inch extensions for the front forks, but need to remove the fork top cap for them to measure and model.

 

[TXtriple]

Very intrigued with your camper...pics please if you have them!

 

[CCjon]

The sidecamper is currently on a Vstrom1000, heavily modified for sidecar duty. Last year we rode to Alaska. Here it is closed for traveling.

Now stopped for the night, opened for sleeping. Take only a couple of minutes to open and be in out of the weather and rain.

The Rocket will replace the Vstrom for tug duty. Is not a heavy rig but it does push a lot of air when going down the road.