[The Old Coot]

I'm looking at buying a C5 with a Cozy next spring, and for once looking at things before I drop a wad of cash. I have both a KLR and Versys and these two will be my "Working" bikes with  the Rig being a fun bike. I'm NOT a Interstate runner at all, might as well be in a bus! 

The dealer said I'd likely need a sidecar brake. I got the feeling the Enfield and Cozy would be OK without this as it doesn't weigh a ton. If I do need one where can I get one and is it a big deal to install?  I am planning this as a local back road Putt Putt bike. I may ride to work on nice days all back roads and 11 miles. 

Another question on building this rig, would lowering the final drive ratio be needed or even a good idea. I'm not a "Boy Racer" and would rather have more get up and go than top end. I was thinking of dropping the front by a tooth or two as it looks like the rear will be a major headache to change out, that rear sprocket/drum combo is the craziest thing I have ever seen!

Thanks   

[Kevin Mahoney]

There are hundreds of Cozys running around with no brake. However..... more brake is always a good thing.

Dropping the front sprocket by a tooth is a good idea. The rear sprocket/drum really can't be changed. It is the same 1930's design

[creaky]

I have a 2006 Bullet with a Cozy sidecar. Bought last year. It has a brake which I am told Cozy never made and is from something else. It was very in-effective and I can show you pics if you want. The problem was it worked on a shaft in line with the brake lever (where it connects to the stoplight) This placed the chair about 6 inches too forward giving me a trail of about 14 inches. To move the chair back to a respectable 8 inches (trail) I dispensed with the brake. Handles much better and brake was useless anyway. (It was only a single leading shoe type) One day I may experiment and make the brake work from a cable like a car handbrake. Let me know how yours turns out.

[AwL]

Don't have a brake on G5 with old California Companion and have not found that i need one.  Had brake on old Watsonion frame before and never used it.  Could be handy sometimes i suppose but not essential.

[MrMike]

Do not have brakes on either of my rigs and seem to be doing pretty good.  Guess the one on the V-Star Velorex might be a fair idea but I'm concerned about it pulling when the car brake is applied.  Have had the Ymarex up to 85  and did not seem to need the brake. 

[gremlin]

I had an XS11 with a Vetter Terraplane a few years back.  The sidecar brake was a wonderful thing.   Right turns were a thing of beauty with that beast - drag the hack brake and a touch of throttle would have the rig pivoting around the side wheel.

so, if you have the option ~ I'd say yes to the brake.

[MrMike]

Hey Creaky

Where'd you get that dog in your sidecar. Can't see vey clearly with the small picture, but he/she looks a lot like our dog, Kozi.   

[sjbiat]

I've had several sidecars, including a RE/Cozy now.  I have not found sidecar breaks useful - they are much less powerful than the bike breaks, and its very hard to get them balanced so it behaves well if you stop from speed.

[The Old Coot]

Well I finely got the Bike. I ended up with a 2015 C-5 in black and As soon as I took delivery the bottom fell out here in Ohio and it's rain almost every day. I only have 58 miles on the bike right now...and it's KILLING ME! 

Anyway I decided to wait a bit before I go for a sidecar and I hate to kill a two year warranty by hacking the little bike. But I'll be in the wings and may buy the car next year and forgo the last year of coverage if the bike proves to be a solid as it seems.

I am still learn and read all I can find.

Coot 

[Chip Labrador]

Just got ann Inder Rocket side car that has a cable operated drum brake. Anyone know how to connnect the cable?

[Kevin Mahoney]

At the weight of the Inder/Cozy/Kozi sidecars a brake is not needed. As you are finding out with your Inder hooking one up is not a simple task and requires welding and drilling for a questionable benefit. We have the ability to import Cozy/Kozi's with a brake and have always elected not to for that very reason.
This is especially true since RE started with disc brakes.

[rtillery02]

Is the sidecar brake ya'll are discussing an emergency type brake or another conventional shoe like on the rear drive wheel?

[Kevin Mahoney]

Some rigs have a brake and some don't. In one scenario they are tapped into the brake pedal or if they rear is hydraulic the rear master cylinder (a bad idea IMHO).

Many experts suggest that your first sidecar be one with out a brake and then after you gain experience you decide if you really want one. I am of this school. Wait I guess I am a sidecar expert by default

They can be very difficult to set up correctly and can cause more trouble than good. There are too many factors to outline here.

[rtillery02]

I've never owned a sidecar rig but am seriously shopping sites for the purchase of a small one for my 80lb yellow lab, hadn't really thought about needing extra braking but incline parking could be an issue. I can see where brakes that become out of sync could be problematic...especially in rain. Thanks for the insight Kevin

[Kevin Mahoney]

Incline parking will not be an issue either way. For what it is worth the thing we hear the most from customers is that they want to put their dog in it. We do sell "doggles"