URAL How-To - Sidecar Alignment Check

[@andreeveugene4826]

Thank you David for such a detailed and informative video. I became the owner of the Ural ST in early September 2024. The motorcycle was produced in 2020. Before me, the motorcycle had only one owner, a rich man who had 5 motorcycles. He ride this Ural only 1,000 km (621 miles), installing everything he could on MC. I have already driven 1,300 km on it. And all this time the motorcycle was pulling to the right. After watching your video, I bought everything I needed to build exactly the same equipment for measuring wheel alignment. A couple of days ago, I discovered that ALL 5 shock absorber springs have different pre-load adjustments (as you know, there are 5 levels of pre-load adjustment) !!! I corrected this error (or someone's bad joke) and a "miracle" happened - the motorcycle began to go strictly straight! You might want to make a video on this topic, as I don't think everyone pays attention to the pre-load of the shock absorbers... 🤝

[@garageman2707]

Really appreciate this video. There isn't alot of info online about this topic. Thank you!

[@nickkarbowski1308]

Just purchased a 2020 GU Sahara from Heindl. Jon had the setup spot on for me. David and Jon are excellent.

[@UralMotorcyclesOfficial]

One of our oldest US dealers, always top notch set up and service!

[@dennisbickel6802]

They are fantastic at what they do! None better!

[@billmackenzie-cardy7072]

How much was it

[@KarlWebb-dt2ms]

A really great explanation David 👍 thanks very much and I will def leave this to my Ural dealer in Australia 🇦🇺 best wishes Karl

[@brentminshull]

Hello from nova scotia. I have 2 rigs among a few other bikes and cars. This is by far the best explanation of what and how to perform the alignment. Very well done. Thank you.

[@dougschneider5948]

Excellent video. Thank you.

[@williambrown4324]

David, Thanks for your effort in putting this video together. Not easy work. You covered the topic exactly to the depth needed. Alignment is almost a subjective art as each situation merits new approaches, Your caveats are well stated as personal maintenance and repair of one''s motorcycle is serious business and needs to be taken as such. It's your safety and your responsibility. I live in Australia and we do lack the critical mass of dealerships to provide the support you enjoy in the States, particularly with such experts as Jon Heindl. Again well done mate. Thanks

[@davidwaynegeorge2292]

Thank you for the video suggestion William. I am glad to hear you approve of the video and I appreciate the supportive comments. I traveled to NSW a few years ago to visit Ural Australia and it wasn't until I was physically there that I realized the unique situation the dealers and Ural owners find themselves in just from a geographical position. I know Clair and Matt in Uralla are always working to improve the support network, if you have suggestions for reputable motorcycle shops you can always drop them a note at [e-mail] Again, thank you for the suggestion and feedback!

[@alanottley]

The BEST alignment video ever. Great to see theory mixed in with the alignment too. Well done, David! I had to adjust my lean out by an extra degree, an now it works great. Thanks!

[@JamesAllmond]

you too! I did too, and it was because of me, not what I mentioned in my post...

[@UralMotorcyclesOfficial]

Thank you, glad you liked it!

[@happytrails1963]

Liking the new style windshields, something new.

[@UralMotorcyclesOfficial]

Maybe a year or more but fairly new. You can find it in smoke or clear versions here... shop-imz-ural.com/products/ural-adjustable-touring-windscreen-clear

[@jeopardy4100]

Mark at Pacific Northwest Ural made a fantastic set up for my 2016 GU and Jon at Heindl Engineering did a superb set up on my 2019 cT.

[@JamesAllmond]

DING! David, that is 2 of the good ones I mentioned! Was hoping someone did that...

[@UralMotorcyclesOfficial]

Agreed! Both excellent, long time Ural dealers. Mark and Jon really know their stuff.

[@tankerbanker2001]

Good information! Convinced me to have the dealer check measurements but now I know what questions I should ask them! Well done Sir!!

[@haitch1980]

Very good Tute David. New to Urals and looking to purchase soon. We are in OZ as well. I completely agree regarding the availability of service and dealer centres compared with the US. For many of us a service centre could be a days ride each way. Just the way it is down under. Your advice at least provides us with a means of checking at least. Thanks again.

[@Я20]

it seems in-accurate to measure as you did with rear tires, ref 12:33/18:59 of the video.

[@JamesAllmond]

First, this is a very good tutorial, Remove the Ural hubris and it is damned good. and now for the rant. And it is a long one. Some background, I own 3 Urals, have had 4 (the gone one was named Christine for a reason). Have been riding Urals for over a decade, sidecars almost 30 years. But sorry David, Ilya, Jason, et al, I can't let this slide, been doing this way too long. Sorry David, you tugged a chain. Unfortunately, many dealers send bikes out the shop misaligned, in some cases horribly so. MANY DEALERS, way to many. Perfect is not attainable, but closer than what I've seen sure is. Next dealer meeting, go ove this subject, please. I've been lucky have had dealers who are run by sidecar people for mine, plus I mount sidecars and know how to align then. It is more art than science. I my case, the 2 dealers (Ural NE and Bluemoon Cycle) even mark the alignment so you know if it has moved! And yes, had to alter my alignment because I am heavier than the normal Ural rider, easy enough (in my case 2 threads of lean out). I wish I had a dollar for every Ural I've assisted getting right, in a campground, at a rally, with a frustrated worn out rider, and generally brand new bikes. It takes patience and time to get right and ANY STRAIGHT EDGE works, but it has to be straight! Florescent tubes do not bend, got it? They do break and make a helluva mess though. (do not use lumber as a straight edge, it is NEVER straight) Your alignment beams certainly do, have seen it with my own eyes. Know a dealer who I will not name have a brand new set that was warped, we made some new ones for him out of some stock we found that was straight (actually we repaired what he had). I hope he complained, but knowing him, probably not. It is a damned shame many dealers can't get the alignment right. How do I know this? Shoot, go to some damned Ural rallies for a change instead of just working the shop. Many turn into workshops on how to get your Ural right (or home). You know we have them all over the country (BURP was supposed to be now, damned Covid), listed many places and generally small, not big and sexy like the big shows, but is where your customers (potential and current) are. We appreciate the goodies you all send but I have yet to see a Ural rep (nor Jason nor Ilya, man that would be huge if either made an appearance) at a single Rally in all these years. Terry does not count, nor does Gene, Jon or Ski at the rallies they host. Saying that, again a really good tutlorial, now, get all of your dealers on the same page, tired of fixing their crappy alignments on new bikes and after this covid crap is over, get out to some rallies and do some demos like this, would go so far to help the brand it is believable. You won't even have to bring tools, we all carry them with us...and if you do show up at one I attend, I will personally apologize for this post. On the forums I am known as BigJames so you can verify I am not talking out my lower torso - or ask Jason, Gene, Terry or Ilya about me. Keep them coming...

[@BonsaiRaygun21]

I know this comment is old but as someone new to sidecars (in my case, a Ural sc on an '81 BMW R65) I appreciate you sharing your experience and your feedback. I know not to always trust the dealership, so I always look for comments like yours for a thorough second opinion. Hope things are going alright for you man

[@garvingann7605]

Glad that you pointed out that our Urals are hand built by real people and will have slight variances. As with my 2013 Patrol T. Because of the swingarm misalignment the rear and front wheels on mine are offset about a 1/4" when parallel so I have to adjust the toe in off the rear wheel only. It works.

[@wa7215]

Thanks for that basic walkthrough on how to check the bike and cars alignment Dave. Sounds to me like something definitely better left to the ‘experts’ at our local URAL dealers to do, but, of course, for those of us who live in far flung places and without any ..close-by, local dealer support, your basic information will I’m sure be very greatly appreciated. Love your videos..! Great work, and please keep making them for the education of all of your company’s ever growing band of avid URAL loving enthusiasts. As they would say in URAL’s “Mother country” ..Spasibo, Dave..! 😉

[@lpd1snipe]

Good advice. When I bought my used 2018 gear up last year, I took it down to Holopaw Ural near Orlando and Gene and the crew got it aligned correctly. It was acting Squirrely and I knew it wasn't right because my 2005 tourist tracked true all the years I drove it.

[@constructionverse]

Love the tutorial and explanation David, calming, empowering and cautionary all at the same time!

[@markrose77]

Good video and please keep them coming! As a future suggestion, I would like to see a tutorial on how to properly adjust the clutch. Thanks!

[@UralMotorcyclesOfficial]

Thanks for the idea!

[@ralphkramden2426]

Thank you, David. I always enjoy your videos, and this one was very good. I am fortunate that the alignment on my 2020 Gear Up was done properly at Ural Pittsburgh, though I have gone through the alignment procedure on my previous 2014 GU and have a fairly good understanding of the process. Please keep your videos coming!

[@UralMotorcyclesOfficial]

Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment Ralph, we really appreciate you watching too!

[@bobman7881]

As usual nice video I would of liked a clearer view of attaching the allignment beams to the spokes/wheels

[@davegerald1422]

Very informative thank you

[@minhquangnguyen664]

I have no experience with riding a sidecar or owning one. At this moment, I am intrigued by them, but I have worries about this issue and necessary tuning. Could this be a result of the varying quality that often accompanies man-built manufacturing?

[@BonsaiRaygun21]

Just bought my first sidecar rig, Ural car on an '81 BMW R65. Ive been riding motorcycles for 15 years, and work as a coach teaching the basic rider course. This thing is completely different when it comes to steering, throttle inputs, body positioning, everything. The main issue im running into is a very sketchy wobble at low speeds (which is why I'm watching this), I would say if you do get a sidecar rig, get it from someone who did their research and can prove it. Or go the dealership route. Because getting this sidecar aligned has so far been a huge pain in the ass

[@greatlakesuperiordeepviewsvide]

I'm connecting my E-bike frame to my E-bike. I want to take my Cat and Wolf to where they want to go. I began a search to see the actual inside design and found this informative video. I subscribed. Cheers.

[@sarveshlr110]

Well explained, simple and clear

[@motorcyclecafe]

Awesome info, as per usual, thanks buddy!

[@waynegash9467]

excellent service information, would it be possible to do one on throttle body synchronization on 2019 onwards thanks

[@lonestarlive4757]

This was an excellent view. There are so many variables in the formula including the road you are on, and your weight.... My bike came from Ural Pittsburg... It can PERFECTLY! No ajdustment necessary... How do I know??/ At 60 MPH on a FLAT (no camber road) for 1/4 mile. hand OFF the bar... the bike tracks straight and true! ... no adjustment necessary .

[@UralMotorcyclesOfficial]

Thank you for the feedback! Your experience with Ural Pittsburgh is exactly what we have been hearing from so many customers. Really good to hear they are delivering well tuned outfits, enjoy that rig!

[@craigweyna8027]

I like the fact that david says right up front that different roads in your locality will have different cambers. That is how much slope the road has in it to drain the rain and in my care thre snow melt. Riding on any given day will subject you to all of the variables. In my case I ride back roads the most- so I adjust to that. They have the most. camber. when I get on a state road it is entirely different. Also when you ride out of state - like going south- the roads have less camber and are different . Every setting on alignment is a compromise. Also the weight of the rider and it's passenger will make a difference. Test the bike the way you will ride it most of the time.

[@kennetlundqvist6279]

Very good video. I will follow your instructions and go to my dealer. This is not the stuff to fiddle around with unless you are a professional mecanic. Keep on doing your great videos. Br Kennet

[@UralMotorcyclesOfficial]

Thank you Kennet, apprciate the comment!

[@boblowrey8266]

NICELY DONE SIR. THANK YOU

[@rasersedge2004]

Have a real problem with my 2010 Ural tourist with chair on the right. See I'm in New Zealand and we drive on the left. With the alignment of the bike leaning away from the chair on a left hand cambered road the handling is OK but the riding sensation very weird. I've brought the bike as upright as the adjustments will allow and its a whole lot better and with no ill effects, better if anything. What's the official line please?

[@johnr4898]

It is exciting when the sidecar hits a bump and you dive across the yellow line into the oncoming traffic

[@MoDMike1981]

always wanted a ural sidcar but hard to find in the uk and now with covid impossible to buy one :.(

[@chrishargis402]

Mechanic for 40 years, aircraft mechanic for 32 of those. After these adjustments are correct and tightened. Consider applying "torque seal". A paste from a tube that dries and is skydrol (aircraft hydraulic fluid) proof. So it should be a more than fine for motorcycle applications. A bead across the tightened bolts, nuts, etc. if it is ever misaligned across the application it would mean something has come loose, changed or just plane fiddled (f$&ked) with. This should then alert that it very well is now out of alignment. Can even be purchased thru Amazon, just look up torque seal. About 15.00 a tube. Good for car/truck alignments as well.

[@mishkwamukwa2110]

Great video sir! Can you tell me what the sidecar torque specs are on the lower tube pinch bolts. Mine I found to be loose. Looks like the owners manual says 64.9 ft lbs. They seem to have lock nuts. Wondering if my dealer didn’t tourqe them during the assembly process

[@Baszilton]

Unfortunately not everyone has a local dealer that is remotely capable of setting one of these up properly. When I picked mine up I had to trailer it home it was so bad. Its better now that I have had a go at getting it towed in more, but I wish it was just set up properly as it has ruined my experience of owning a Ural to this day. I love the bike, but its so tiring to ride with it constantly pulling towards the the side of the road. :(

[@jharingh]

After years of adjusting and discussions with my dealer I still need 3 degrees leanout and no less than 52mm (2 inch) of toe-in, to get my gear-up going straight between 25 and 50 m/h on an average crowned road. What is wrong with me? My weight is average. Also after having both the frame and the rear fork replaced for inaccuracy, the rear wheel still steers a little to the left, which should also help (or not?). I think that front and rear wheel not being in line is an issue that is common enough to be mentioned and taken into account. In fact, David tells so much in start, about Ural making a handbuilt bike, but it did not make me realise fully the significance. Also, my sidecar-wheel is directed outward, which calls for more toe in of the sidecar frame to get a decent toe in of the wheel.

[@frankdillon6127]

Hi, David. think i can guess your answer to this question, 2014/18 gear up owner with out a service/dealer close by, and no computer software like OBDwiz what very minor adjustment can be made to the EFI gen one like to raise or lower the idle,maybe even check balance. i know there is a adjustment screw on the bottom of each electro-jet. i have not messed with these but would like to raise idle up a couple hundred RPM.

[@bpago]

Great info thanks. I was looking for info / discussion about the chair frame being level . Am I correct that is actually the first step?

[@joseargonza7984]

I've added a light, homemade, right sidecar to my Yamaha FZ6R. I've followed all the standard lean-out and toe-in, and my tricycle tracks true. But when I apply the brakes (either front or rear or both) the rig tends to pull left. I figure the sidecar, although very light, wants to pivot the bike to the left, and that the only solution would be a brake on the third wheel. Any explanation or suggestion?

[@da72ma]

Would an electric or pneumatic piston, like a lean adjuster in the sidecar not solve this constant problem? A switch on the handlebar could be controlling the actuator.

[@jpdt7936]

Do you have any advice on tyre wear from this? My bike tracks perfectly at 50mph and pulls to the left off the gas. I have just had to replace both tractor and sidecar tyre at 2000 miles as they are worn out

[@deldom174]

super

[@thomaswhatley2075]

What about leveling the sidecar front to back and side to side.

[@andrewward1887]

I don't own one of these bikes but I watched your videos, why would you have to remove the upper bolt from the adjustable rod, loosen the jam nuts and turn the center section. If the upper and lower ends are threaded it should move outward or inward, without removing the upper mounting bolt or is the bottom mount welded on,just curious.

[@lkazanov]

A simple question. The lean out I get, just the angle difference based on the brake rotors of rear and the sidecar. Why can't the toe in be specified in degrees? The specified measurement is based on the length of the rods at the front wheel, correct? And this is bike specific, or is that the point. Seems that all side car rigs have some degree of toe in. Is there a magic degree that applies to all? Just curious.

[@hiltonmcconnell2563]

I am thinking about getting another Ural but am very far from a dealer, in Canada. I a in PEI, the question I have is my load and roads will very greatly, I have a dog that ways 150 lb and a friend that would like to tag along at times he is over 300 lb. and I am also thinking about going to the old age homes and offering rides, so is there a setting that would get me by in these different loads, When in ONT they set it up once and never had to change it but I am not sure what it was.as it was over 5 yr ago.

[@jharingh]

Should tire pressure of the front & sidecar not be 22 psi instead of 32?

[@mattdynes3041]

Excellent instruction... just curious.... once an alignment is successfully setup/achieved is it normal that with time and kilometers that it needs redoing or once set it should be fine?

[@JamesAllmond]

you can trust my 250K miles on sidecars or ignore it, but I say yes, over time the adjustment can change and have to be tweeked. Problem is, over that same time, you've been the only one riding it, so may not notice it until it gets really bad or you ride someone else's rig or someone rides your's!

[@UralMotorcyclesOfficial]

Like James said it will require adjustment over time. Think of it like aligning the front end of a car, with mileage it will need to be realigned. If you traverse hard off-road conditions frequently it will need to be checked more often.

[@vincentsantamaria484]

David, Thanks for the video. Should the sidecar frame be level fore and aft? On my new 2021 cT the back of the frame is quite a bit lower than the front. Seems like I remember on my two previous Urals the frame was level.

[@meuclone]

Generic vehicle brand: "if you disconnect the battery cable we void your warranty" Ural: "here, go fix by yourself, you're not a kid"

[@froymen6995]

So, how do you move over the side car for toe in or toe out?

[@gaepora8033]

Hi do you have blue prints for building the side car ?

[@maryjanepadilla4335]

Hello sir from phillipines..what is best measurement,0f aligning sidecar..for heavy equipments...her in phillipines align measurement is..lean out 1inch...toe in is 2.5 inch....can i ask your idea sir???tnx

[@jharingh]

Tire pressure again, after some research. I am dutch and my manual is in german. Manuals for the european market are in english, german and french. English and french, like the american manual, give 32 psi for the front and side, german manuals, latest and older, 22 psi (1,5 bar). Russian forums and older unofficial manuals give also 22 psi. Confusing...

[@mihaimihai9254]

Great video, man! It was very effective, I may sound stupid but, because I intend to buy a Ural, I hope you won't mind if I'm gonna ask you a question even it might sound a little bit strange to you.... So, why nobody thought about installing a safety belt in the side car? If such an option existed would it be useless? Or can it even be dangerous in case that I will install one after market? Thanks for all the tips you are giving to us!

[@stupollock6851]

I most definitely would not install a belt in sidecar. If bike tumbles it rather escape the cement mixer. When I take youngsters in sidecar I’m making a decision for someone else and simply use a high degree of caution. Low speed - low traffic - familiar surroundings etc. An adult is capable of making their own decision.

[@mihaimihai9254]

@@stupollock6851 Thanks a lot for your answer!

[@gracecouchrealtor4413]

❤

[@michaelgriffith2379]

I just got my 2020 GU and it's a wrestling match to drive, Pretty good pull to the right, I do not think the dealer set it up right, Driving in a straight line should there be that much pull.

[@Phalcon51]

No, not really unless you're on a steeply crowned road, perhaps. Try to find as flat a road as you can and if it still pulls hard to the right, have your dealer adjust it or do it yourself.

[@josephjacobson5369]

Oh boy, I guess if one day I will have the privilege to own a Ural, I will only be able to load a tooth brush! I weigh just under 300lbs :)

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

I don't touch nothing regarding the alignment. Don't fix what's not broken.l got run off the road and bounced like a dirt bike. But didn't fall down 👇👎.

[@AA-69]

I liked this video, UNTIL YOU TRIED TO SCARE PEOPLE INTO BUYING BITS OF OVERPRICED METAL !!! ANYTHING THAT IS STRAIGHT CAN BE USED... ANYTHING !!!

[@stewandumps]

great video