early sidecar

[Clydeflathead]

early sidecar

exeric, Is there any way we could get some photos of the fender mount set up for this Rogers ? Heck, if you go over to your friends again, get photos of the whole chassis, that thing is awesome. And tommo, you'll probably think I'm nuts ( I am, it's no secret )
but if you had a long solid axle, turn down at the end ,the length of the axle sleeve, to fit inside the axle sleeve, drilled and tapped for c.o.'s threaded stud (axle in his photo)
wouldn't that make his wheel workable? So maybe He has to go back out and find the solid axle ? (told you I was nuts) Also a question on the expandible axle, do you guys think there were allot of bent axles or MC frames do to the leverage issue created by moving the wheel so far out ? Remember this is before Mr.Gouldings floating axle. The only springs on these chassis where for the body.

[exeric]

I'll get more info when I get over to see it again. I wondered about the weld and would assume it is an ancient fix. Just a guess, but the bearing set-up in the hub looks similar a later H-D roller bearing wheel that uses thrust washers and spacers to handle side loads.

[Tommo]

Exeric,
I'm curious as to how you would adjust the wheel bearings on that set-up and as Clyde says the axle appears to be welded in.
If the axle has in fact been welded in the loads put onto it close to the weld would worry me.
Are you sure it hasn't been got at and what diameter is the axle?

[Clydeflathead]

early sidecar

Fantastic photos exeric, the leather strap on the hub brings back memories, I used to do that myself. one question though, the axle looks welded in place, yet has a nut and lock washer on the back side ? Also I would like to thank all you guys, this has been a fun thread !!

[exeric]

[exeric]

[exeric]

The following pictures are of an unrestored, unmolested Rogers sidecar that belongs to a good friend. I took pictures of both sides of the wheel hub, and the wheel on the axel.

[Clydeflathead]

early sidecar

excellent point Tommo, and here is a photo of what you spoke of. The axle extended.

[Tommo]

Most if not all of the sidecars produced during the period we are discussing had adjustable track, that is the ability to move the sidecar axle in or out to suit the spacing of the wheel ruts you encountered.
Hence the clamping style of axle mount you have on your chassis Cory.
To enable this the mudguard/fender had to be mounted on the axle and not on the chassis and because of this the axle assembly had to be quite strong.
As well as supporting the mudguard it had to be strong enough to support the whole weight of the rig as it's outside end is totally unsupported.
Looking at your wheel Cory I doubt if the axle in that is much more than 1/2 inch and there's no way that would hold a sidecar up with one end unsupported.
There's more chance that the wheel is right for the Indian than there is for it fitting the sidecar.
I've got a HD sidecar axle that I'll photograph and post a picture of so you'll get a better idea of what I'm talking about.

[Clydeflathead]

early sidecar

c.o. I think Tommo is right also, it just does not look like there is any way it will fit properly The dust cover looks early sidecar style though, that's what throws me.

[c.o.]

"the two sidecars spread over a considerable expanse of frontage." Priceless!!!!

[c.o.]

The more I think about it the more I think Tommo was onto something with the "front" wheel theory....

[c.o.]

Mmmmm..... my thoughts of it being a sidecar wheel may have been short lived.... This is the only portion of the axle that was inside the wheel. The pics aren't the best but it does appear as though the inside end has a slot machined for a key. There is no dimple or slot for a set screw to mount to the chassis. The rim is painted Indian red but I'm just not sure tonight what it belongs to. I'll get out again tomorrow after work and do some more investigating.

[Clydeflathead]

early sidecar

Now, The rest of the story

[Clydeflathead]

early sidecar

Sorry got carried away The first photo shows the axel is held in place with pinch bolt and set screw. second photo shows what I believe to be a dust cover to keep dirt and debris out of the bearings on the chassis side of the wheel. Problem is the axle looks to be much smaller in diameter than the tube (hole) it goes into. Does the axle have a dimple or slot for the set screw? The axle sleeve looks to be the correct size for the tube (hole) the axle just looks too small.