Part 1: Sidecar leading-link re-engineering & improvements? OMG what have I done?

Re-engineering the leading link front end on my sidecar outfit to make it better. But it's becoming a major project? What have I done? Can this be saved and will it be better than before? Part 1

[@henryhawk978]

Enjoyed the video,Tom. Be nice to see the finished product. Nice operation.

[@WickedWill71]

Can I ask why the the two arms aren't linked at the back.

[@MotoRestoFL]

Good question. Yes. Across the bottom and it holds a vertical piece of sheet metal that serves as a sort-of fender since the fender (chrome) is rotated forward.

[@trentwright1708]

I’ve got a 2001 Suzuki bandit 1200 that won’t stay idling I have cleaned the carbs and put the to the correct spec I’m pretty sure but I just can figure out why to won’t run it might have vacuum leak but I don’t know how to test/fix that I was wondering if you had any idea what might be the problem?

[@MotoRestoFL]

Carb holders. Get it running and spray some brake clean or carb cleaner at each one and if leaking the engine will respond. It may be subtle but it works.

[@CWS1963]

Love these machining videos!!!

[@wdhewson]

Don't sport bikes have less trail not greater ????????

[@MotoRestoFL]

Positive trail is back towards the engine. More positive trail yes.

[@wdhewson]

@@MotoRestoFL We may be semantic, .....but 0 trail is a vertical steering axis projected in the center of the tire's contact patch. Positive trail is the steering axis ahead of the contact patch, and negative trail is behind the contact patch. And increase in positive trail moves that steering axis projection farther ahead of the contact patch...a numerically bigger positive value. Decreasing the rake toward the vertical is a smaller positive number.
Sport bikes have less rake, so the contact patch moves toward the steering axis and is a smaller positive number. Going from a "cruiser" to a sport bike might take the rake from 4" to a lower value of 2".
I hope I don't have this wrong, but I think this geometry and terminology is well worked out in lots of motorcycle and automotive suspension literature.
Thanks.