Long story short, wife can no longer straddle a M/C seat due to a spinal injury. We went from 2 to 3 wheels hoping it would work, not so much. Since we still want to ride together, we are looking to transition from the Tri-Glide to an Ultra Classic Electraglide with a sidecar rig for her. I have seen ones with a clamshell type front hood opening (dunno who makes them or what they are actually called) But seems like that might be the way to go.
If anyone has a line on something like that, or any other helpful infor, it would be greatly appreciated.
We are located in Ocala, Florida.
Robert, the number one sidecar builder in the US is now Texas Sidecars in Donie, TX.
Kent, the owner rides a Harley with a sidecar (833) 897-4332, but we don't hold that against him.
Welcome, Robert! My wife and I have much the same story as you, but other medical causes. A rig like you describe becomes available on occasion and the folks here can help point you to possible candidates and help you transition to sidecar life. Good news is that if you’ve gotten the hang of trike operation, sidecar operation is different from that, but the two wheel habits will be less of an obstacle.
Looking forward to your journey reporting!
Illegitemi non carborundum est!
2c
A sidecar with a door for ease of entry and egress would be a big help.
My wife while still able does find my Watsonian a challenge to get in and out of each time.
Welcome to the Asylum.
2c
A sidecar with a door for ease of entry and egress would be a big help.
My wife while still able does find my Watsonian a challenge to get in and out of each time.
Welcome to the Asylum.
Robert @ocala-robert, I will echo what @brstr said about a sidecar with a door. Right now my two primary sidecar rigs also have an Electric Chair Lift in each sidecar, so via a simple toggle switch we can raise or lower the sidecar seat to allow easier entry or exit to and from the sidecar.
My #1 sidecar rig also has the side door, so in combination with the Electric Chair Lift, this helps a disabled person with getting into or out of the sidecar.
Typically the clamshell sidecar bodies you have seen are made by Hannigan Motorsports, in Murray, Kentucky, or "were " made by either Champion Sidecars in Southern California, or the older ones made by CSC, California Sidecar Company, such as the very popular California Friendship lll.
If you insist on the bike being an Ultra Classic Electraglide (and we won't hold that against you), as many of us have been there, done that, they do come up periodically. So....we will all keep an eye open for such a rig.
As far as I know, the Electric Chair Lift is, and was, only made by Hannigan Motorsports, and whilst I have installed two of these into my sidecars, they do require additional fabrication to make it fit your sidecar seat, and fit into your sidecar, to bolt through the sidecar floor.
If you can find a used one, or order a new one, I can possibly be of help with advice as to what I have done.
Two Million Mile Rider
Exploring the World in Comfort
Thank you all, learned a lot here and hope to learn more. FYI, my reasoning for an Ultra is because I still own one, just not ridden it the last few years. And the wife is stoked by the thought of an Electric Chair Lift. Most definitely gonna look in to that also.
An Ultra Classic Electraglide with a sidecar sounds like the beginning of a beautiful relationship! 🤩
Hold my keyboard and watch this! 🙃
