Tech18 at the North American Russian Motorcycle Association (NARMA)

Hi
> what are the advantages of earls forks vs. easy steer
> any web link to sidecar technical issues??
>
> Steve

Topic:	sidecar front suspension (2 of 18), Read 92 times
Conf:	Technical
From:	John Criswell (jcris1936@aol.com)
Date:	Saturday, December 12, 1998 12:39 PM

Steve,

The Earls front fork setup is all about geometry. When braking the bike and hack do not go into a dive, actually they lift up. Its not real noticable until you ride a straight leg outfit. I have ridden my bike about 6500 clicks and like the Earls. Don't want it any other way.
John Criswell
Midland, MI

Topic:	sidecar front suspension (3 of 18), Read 89 times
Conf:	Technical
From:	Paul Youthkins (thetatar@aol.com)
Date:	Saturday, December 12, 1998 02:15 PM

Leading link forks steer much easier, offer an Inherent anti-dive system and are far more rigid as to flex in hard cornering.
Keep the shiny side up. :-)
Tatar
P.S.Hey gang! Join NARMA

Topic:	sidecar front suspension (4 of 18), Read 95 times
Conf:	Technical
From:	URAL Tech Dep't ( )
Date:	Saturday, December 12, 1998 02:37 PM

Sear Steve-

Generally speaking, leading link (Earles) forks have less rake and trail than telescopic forks, and tend to be more rigid than their slider counterparts, thus maintaining their geometry during cornering and pothole smacking.

As I get to ride both telescopic and Earles equipped URALS on a regular basis, I find the telescopic forks actually turn easier during low-speed maneuvers. I suspect this is because Russian spec bikes come equipped with telescopic forks, and they have had many years to figure out the correct geometry for use with a hack...

So, If your riding includes losta rough roads, I'd recommend the Earles forks. Otherwise, the telescopic ones will work well!
URAL Tech Dep't

Topic:	sidecar front suspension (5 of 18), Read 97 times
Conf:	Technical
From:	Thomas Jordan (jordan1@chatham.tds.net)
Date:	Saturday, December 12, 1998 02:44 PM

Hi URALites,
My "98 Tourist has the Earls fork, just what I wanted. everything I ever read says that's the way to go on a sidecar.

Mine also has the standard final drive, I notice the front end gets real light if you launch hard from a stop, (wheelie?)

Went on a 200km+ ride today bike ran just great mostly running at 55-60 m.p.h.
On the way back the speedo needle was swinging between 50 and 80 the did a few 360 laps. then it started to work normally.
Now the needle is steadier at 55-60 than it ever was! Maybe it needed to be broken in also....amazing!!
Tom, from da U.P.

Topic:	Speedo broke (6 of 18), Read 100 times
Conf:	Technical
From:	Paul Youthkins (thetatar@aol.com)
Date:	Saturday, December 12, 1998 04:16 PM

Hi Thom,
On my '97 Tourist @ +/-250klicks the speedo started to swing and work erratically like you said yours did. The next day it happened again Accompanied by a whine. The next day it died totally. Gus replaced it under warranty & now @ +/-4,000klicks it's still OK.
Keep the shiny side up. :-)
Tatar
P.S.Hey gang! Join NARMA

Topic:	Speedo broke (7 of 18), Read 98 times
Conf:	Technical
From:	Thomas Jordan (jordan1@chatham.tds.net)
Date:	Saturday, December 12, 1998 05:43 PM

Hi Paul.
Mine whined also, didn't know what it was until I looked at the speedo.It was kind of funny, the needle swinging everywhere.
I'll worry about it when it expires.(Right Chuck?)
I'll be interested in how your new coil setup works too.
All URALITES...Join NARMA
Tom

Topic:	Speedo broke (8 of 18), Read 77 times
Conf:	Technical
From:	URAL Tech Dep't ( )
Date:	Sunday, December 13, 1998 12:18 PM

Hey Tom-
Sounds like your speedo is getting ready to go...they act up this way before letting go.
Just let me know...
URAL Tech Dep't

Topic:	Speedo broke (9 of 18), Read 70 times
Conf:	Technical
From:	Thomas Jordan (jordan1@chatham.tds.net)
Date:	Sunday, December 13, 1998 04:27 PM

Yah, hey Chuck.
Da speedo was rather amusing, you betcha I'll let you know when it goes kaput.
The Iron Mule has 4127 km. on er now sure is running good....should I worry?
Tom ,da guy up nort, eh.

Topic:	sidecar front suspension (10 of 18), Read 94 times
Conf:	Technical
From:	Dean Hutson (deanhutson@hotmail)
Date:	Saturday, December 12, 1998 08:00 PM

We have the telescopic front end and I have found it to work better than the Earls if you are carrying a passenger in the hack and any kind of load. Have ridden both extensively and believe I will stick with the telescopic, especially for 60 mph and up. Besides, I don't really like the dirt bike look of the other with that high fender set-up.
Happy Motorin'
Dean & Betty

Topic:	sidecar front suspension (11 of 18), Read 94 times
Conf:	Technical
From:	Thomas Jordan (jordan1@chatham.tds.net Date:	Saturday, December 12, 1998 08:30 PM

That's the part, the Earls fork, It will never wear out.
Different strokes and all that, but I really like the look of it.
Tom

Topic:	sidecar front suspension (12 of 18), Read 80 times
Conf:	Technical
From:	Vance Blosser ( )
Date:	Sunday, December 13, 1998 10:08 AM

I have the Earles and am happy with it, but would be a bit leery of riding solo with it.

The local mechanic said they were more durable than the telescopics. Other than his statement I have nothing to support/deny this.

"Enjoying the spoils of an economic war!"

Topic:	sidecar front suspension (13 of 18), Read 75 times
Conf:	Technical
From:	Paul Youthkins (thetatar@aol.com)
Date:	Sunday, December 13, 1998 01:48 PM

I would Definitely be Leery of solo (two wheeling) riding with a non-adjustable Earles setup BUT if the Deco telescopic is the right rake & trail for a sidecar rig it is also probably too light for high speed solo riding also.
Keep the shiny side up. :-)
Tatar

Topic:	sidecar front suspension (14 of 18), Read 80 times
Conf:	Technical
From:	Hal Thompson (halcyon14@mcsi.net)
Date:	Sunday, December 13, 1998 02:27 PM

No experience with the Ural, but my first Beemer was R69S with Earles fork & I loved it. I don't think I ever had it past 90, but NEVER any handling probs. Ural may have different rake/trail or whatever they call it on the Earles front.
Ur Pal
Hal

Topic:	sidecar front suspension (15 of 18), Read 88 times
Conf:	Technical
From:	URAL Tech Dep't ( )
Date:	Sunday, December 13, 1998 03:20 PM

And the front suspension controversy goes on...

The real key is is not the suspension configuration, rather the geometry of the front end yields the secret to effortless motoring and crisp handling.

As a case in point, a Porsche and Corvair of the same vintage have similar suspension configurations. While both exhibit ah, interesting chassis dynamics at the limit, the Porsche is much faster and more stable due to inherently better geometry relative to the overall package.

When we speak of front ends on motorcycles, the rake and trail have more to do with the handling characteristics than the basic configuration does. On vintage big bikes for example, the rake & trail was often adjustable so as to accommodate sidehack riders. This was discontinued many years ago, so most folks now associate the Earles configuration with hacks, as the Earles more easily lends itself to rake/trail changes, and is typically stiffer than its slider cousin.

One of the keys to god handling is maintaining geometry in dynamic situations. The additional stress loads placed on the front end of a sidehack-equipped bike can cause the front end to deflect and 'twist' during braking/cornering maneuvers, giving the rig a 'rubbery' feeling. The Earles design can be made much stiffer, thus lending stability and security in the same situation.

Having said all this, the Russian spec sidecar rig comes with sliders out of the box. The basic geometry works rather well as the bike was designed with the intention of carrying a hack at all times. When the hack is removed, the bike exhibits a more rapid turn-in than normally expected...it 'falls' more easily into turns than a similar size/weight bike. While this may be a tad disconcerting at first, one adjusts to more easily than, say...riding a bike with a hack!

At the same time, the Honda Cub uses an Earles fork configuration which is largely hidden within its pressed steel forks. This is easily the most popular bike on the planet, with over 20 million of the little buggers built since 1958. These sewing machines handle pretty darned well, too...I was dragging the pipe on a 70cc variant just the other day!

Soo...Earles vs. telescopic...the choice is yours, as they both work well in a URAL.
URAL Tech Dep't

Topic:	sidecar front suspension (16 of 18), Read 60 times
Conf:	Technical
From:	Tom Spear (dlrsales@ural.com)
Date:	Monday, December 14, 1998 01:36 PM

Just a note to all, we call out suspension on the "Rugged Classics" , Leading Link suspension as I understand that it is not a true Earles Type suspension.
Ural Sales Department

Topic:	sidecar front suspension (17 of 18), Read 64 times
Conf:	Technical
From:	Vance Blosser ( )
Date:	Monday, December 14, 1998 02:39 PM

Which leads into my desire to know more about Mr. Earles. The only thing I have found so far is that he was named Earnie Earles, apparently he raced bikes and developed the Earles suspension. Anyone else have any more?

Topic:	sidecar front suspension (18 of 18), Read 60 times
Conf:	Technical
From:	Paul Youthkins (thetatar@aol.com)
Date:	Monday, December 14, 1998 03:53 PM

Tom, if I'm not mistaken (And I may very well be.) the Earles type fork on the '50s & '60s Beemers was trail adjustable for solo/sidecar riding. I seem to remember my buddy Kurts R69 fork had 2 pinning points. I do remember the Harley Adjustable Hydraglide (mine ain't & it's very heavy steering. The Ural is power steering in comparison.
Keep the shiny side up. :-)
Tatar

Topic:	sidecar front suspension (1 of 18), Read 133 times
Conf:	Technical
From:	Steve Abella (eabella@med.wayne.edu)
Date:	Saturday, December 12, 1998 10:23 AM