Just bought my first sidecar. I pick it up tomorrow. It's an 07 Ultra Classic/sidecar. I've ridden Harleys for 30+ years, rode a side car unit from Tulsa to OKC for the Dealer I worked for. Soooo.. I'm pretty new at this and I know I'm going to be a "Black Hole" for info, so please bear with me!
I told my local Harley Dealer about trading my Road King in on an Ultra/Sidecar, and he looked at me like I had contracted some really rare, but highly contagious, African Flesh eating disease! Is this normal? He started stammering, stuttering, broke out into a sweat and speaking almost under his breath about no lifts to service sidecars, mechanics that have never seen a sidecar! Holy Cow! I thought he was going to tell me next that there was no sidecar parking at their Dealership!!
Now, I feel like I've been banished to a deserted island without a film crew! Is this normal?
Not exactly the reception I was expecting. I've been dealing with these guys for about 5 years. Instead of a customer, I felt like a guy, trying to get a date at a "clap clinic"! Is this normal?
I wonder if they'll still let me buy "T" shirts?
Anyhow, still glad I bought my sidecar and happy to be here, maybe eventually I can contribute.
Here's my new "Baby" I pick it up tomorrow.
Sorry for laughing as I read this. It is amazing how some dealers don't know what to do with you (or with your rig for service) when you get a sidecar rig. But, everyone else will want to ask you all about it, why you did it, how it's different than riding 2 wheels, etc. Bottom line - enjoy the new adventure and get lots of practice.
I see you bought in in the DFW area. Are you down here or are you up in OK?
Live in Deep East Texas, on Toledo Bend Lake. As far East in Texas, as you can go with out getting "webbed toes" and having my bass boat transform into a " Pirogue"!
To borrow a phrase, "I can see Louisiana from my front porch"!
There are a few folks on here in in easy riding distance from you. And, if you're looking to ride with some other sidecars, there are a couple of opportunities coming up in Oct. The first one is the Oct 2 DFW area Ride for Kids to help children with brain tumors/cancer. We use sidecars to take the kids on this charity run where several hundred bikers join up to help these kids. Here is my recent post on that http://www.sidecar.com/mbbs22/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=9606&posts=1&start=1 If you get some practice in and would like to put a huge smile on a kid's face, come help us with that.
And, here's another thread for an Arkansas rally that will have some folks from TX, LA and AR (probably elsewhere, too). http://www.sidecar.com/mbbs22/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=8989&posts=7&start=1 Lots of these folks were at the rally at Uncertain, TX last year
That may be more than you wanted to know, but welcome to the ranks.
Gary
Hi Harleybass: Welcome the offset world of sidecars. Once you get comfortable in the saddle, maybe we could try a Saturday ride-to-eat at the Picnic Table in Shelbyville or Bill & Cissy's in Zwolle. Please keep the local gatherings in mind that SideCar mentioned.
Marcus at the Pineywoods Motorcycle Academy over in Lufkin teaches a sidecar training class the we recommend. His email is: marcuscycleshop@aol.com
Also: We do have an independent repair shop up here in Stonewall that welcomes sidecar rigs.
And that's a "flaming hot" rig you got there. 🙂
Lee
MB5+TW200+CRF250L+GTV300+INT650
XL883R w/Texas Ranger Sidecar
Zuma 50F + Burgman w/Texas Sidecar<Mrs. SwampFox
You're treated like a Gentile at the Harley shops with a sidehack rig. Some won't let you in the door unless your bike can fit on a lift so the "Techs" can plug it in to the computer from a recliner. Be ready to dismount the sidecar yourself before going in for any major service. Most (even "PHD") techs don't know how to do it. I got turned down for a tire (rear) change at Durango H-D. Had to go to Grand Junction H-D to get it done. A long haul with a bald tire.
Now a Harley trike, they're welcome. They can get to both sides of them.
Lonnie
I'm hoping that I can find a Dealer, that won't treat me like a "Red Headed Stepchild" and at least do any "major" work that would be needed. I always do my own plugs, oil and fluids changes. I would really rather not get into the tire changing part of it!
Oh, Well "you pays your money, and takes your chances"!
I know where the Picnic Table is, pass it every day. Let me get used to this thing, get a few miles under my belt, and we'll get together at the Picnic Table. I'm always up for a good burger. I'll check out the training class.
Harleybass - 8/26/2011 9:11 AM
... I would really rather not get into the tire changing part of it!....
Jay at http://www.jnjsidecarsandtrikes.com/sidecars.html will mount your tires for ya.
Lee
MB5+TW200+CRF250L+GTV300+INT650
XL883R w/Texas Ranger Sidecar
Zuma 50F + Burgman w/Texas Sidecar<Mrs. SwampFox
SwampFox - 8/26/2011 10:09 PM
Harleybass - 8/26/2011 9:11 AM
... I would really rather not get into the tire changing part of it!....
Jay at http://www.jnjsidecarsandtrikes.com/sidecars.html will mount your tires for ya.
I just took a look at that site and the first thing I saw was this little cutie on a scooter with a sidecar attached. Uum, I wonder who that is? LOL Then there is a Sportster missing a racing stripe on the sidecar. What's with that?
Oldtimer, that Sportster pic is from the 1st day. I've sent Jay better pics of both of our rigs, but, apparently, he hasn't fwd 'em to his web guy to post. Jay has installed our last set of tires plus a few odds and ends. I oughta install some of the LED lights he has there.
Lee
MB5+TW200+CRF250L+GTV300+INT650
XL883R w/Texas Ranger Sidecar
Zuma 50F + Burgman w/Texas Sidecar<Mrs. SwampFox
Hack'n - 8/25/2011 9:30 PM
You're treated like a Gentile at the Harley shops with a sidehack rig. Some won't let you in the door unless your bike can fit on a lift so the "Techs" can plug it in to the computer from a recliner. Be ready to dismount the sidecar yourself before going in for any major service. Most (even "PHD") techs don't know how to do it. I got turned down for a tire (rear) change at Durango H-D. Had to go to Grand Junction H-D to get it done. A long haul with a bald tire.
Now a Harley trike, they're welcome. They can get to both sides of them.
Lonnie
Regarding dismounting and remounting your sidecar - there are some other threads that discuss how to fabricate and/or purchase dollies that will make it much easier to do so. I also have a procedure for doing so that I wrote down - I have attached a copy.
