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| About
the sidecar: |
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The
Team Bulldog F1-Class Racing Sidecar is very different from traditional
sidecars. The sidecar is an integral part of the machine, the
wheels are wide with a flat profile and the whole machine is very
low, with the engine behind the driver. The Chassis is either
an aluminum monocoque construction or a tubular construction –
usually made from 4130 alloy airframe tubing of various diameters. |
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| The
front suspension and steering is very similar
to a Formula 1 chassis. The front wheel is connected
to the chassis with alloy wishbones. Steering
uses a link system connecting the handlebar to
the steering hub, called center-hub steering.
This means the steering is done by turning the
wheel directly, without any gearing. Adjustments
allow different settings to be applied to the
front wheel to maximize tire grip. The brake is
a ventilated steel disc with a four-piston caliper
and a ducted air supply from the front of the
outfit.
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| FRONT
WHEEL |
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wheel is attached to the chassis with alloy steel
link rods or wishbones. This system is called a
multi-link suspension. Every aspect is adjustable,
allowing total flexibility for adhesion between
the tire and track. The rear wheel is the only drive
wheel, powered by the chain directly from the engine.
Changing the rear sprocket size alters the final
gearing. The rear brake is similar to the front
brake with a four-piston caliper and has a non vented
disc. |
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REAR
WHEEL |
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The
sidecar wheel has no suspension; it is mounted solid
to the chassis. Only the wheel angle can be adjusted,
not only for the best grip, but also to help ‘steer’
into right-hand corners and left-hand corners. The
sidecar wheel brake is a solid (non-ventilated)
disc with a two-piston caliper.
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| SIDECAR
WHEEL |
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body is fiber glass or Kevlar construction and is
detachable from the chassis with quick release pins.
This also includes the driver’s compartment.
Which is built into the main cockpit section. You
will find many different styles and shapes as teams
look to develop the most efficient profile. Some use
a one piece body whilst others use a two or three
piece. |
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BODY |
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wheels are usually aluminum and run 7.5” x
13” on the front and chair or 9” x 13”
on the rear and chair although some teams use 14”
depending on set up. The tires are a slick untreaded
tire for dry tracks and a treaded pattern rain tire
for wet conditions. The most popular tire makes
being Yokohama and Avon in Europe and Hoosier in
America. |
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| TIRES
& WHEELS |
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Engine
is currently a Kawasaki ZX11, 1100 cc engine fully
tuned in-house by Bulldog
Motorcycles and Engineering with modified sump
to allow the engine as low as possible with a dry
sump oil system. Keihin flatside carbs are used to
improve performance along with a custom exhaust system.
The choice of engine is up to the individual team
with 1200 cc being the upper limit used in America
at this time. 1000 cc is the limit used in Europe
and at international level. |
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ENGINE |
