Thanks Kickaha, links to two good informative articles there. The 3wheelsbetter one I've not read before, but when reading through the simplysidecars article I realised it was where I'd copied some of my bits from.
In the mid 60s I fitted a Canterbury Double Adult to my A10 GF (the one in my pic) with the help of a friend who worked for Kings of Oxford, a well known m/c dealer in the UK. We fitted it in a cobbled lane behind my parents house and when finished my friend suggested I take it up the lane to try it. Off I went, in complete ignorance, and nearly hit the wall either side of the lane - we'd forgotten to firm up the handlebars by turning the steering damper down. So when I fitted the GP Manx to my current GF I had some idea of what to do . . . and what to expect. It took me (often with my wife's help) from Oct 19 to Jan 20 (just checked my notes) to get it to handle to my satisfaction. Adjust something and it affects something else, get all measurements spot on, as you think they should be, tweak all the bolts up really tight, check it again . . . and it's all changed
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From standard, when riding solo, I've fitted 11 3/4” heavyweight sidecar springs, NJB 126 lbs/in rear shocks, 18T engine sprocket, new IWIS chains and Norton semi-western handlebars, that has 7” pullback and a 4.75” rise. Then I added indicators and LEDs so the dynamo could keep the battery charged. I didn't need to change the front tyre though.
I can now steer it in a straight line, with just fingertips, with confidence, but I rarely go above 55 mph. The main thing I find that makes me very aware of the sidecar is the heavy steering when turning tightly to right, such as going around a small mini roundabout, but turning left it's very light and easily turns in it's own length.
Rog,