Although my hubby still rolls his eyes at me when I talk about getting a sidecar rig he did bring a good question. He is the mechanic in the house...
When you have to work on the bike itself do you drop the car to get it up on the lift or just take some Ibuprofen and prepare for a sore back from working on it on the ground? :O
I just go for the ibuprofen Katey!
Certain tasks can be accomplished with the car mounted, though most shops want the sidecar off.
Partly due to economics. A sidecar rig requires 2 lifts. Those two lifts could be servicing 2 motorcycles instead of 1 and you still can't easily access all areas that may need service.
Just prostrate yourself alongside your beloved, generously lavish your affections and perform whatever rituals are called for.
Some work is easier with the sidecar on such as tire changes as you can just jack up the wheel you want to change. Major service on the bike is usually done with out the sidecar which is one reason it is important to make sure that the sidecar is mounted with bike specific mounts rather then frame clamps. You want to make sure that the sidecar will go right back on with out needing to be aligned. The sidecars we make as well as those from most other USA builders come on or off in about 10 minutes. Others which rely on clamps and such for the mounts often do not line right back up. Another thing to consider is that some bikes can still be ridded with out the sidecar so you could take the sidecar of and ride it to where ever it is being serviced. Other can not. Reasons you may not be able to ride the bike with out the sidecar include steering modifications to the bike, Automotive tires and for some mounts you loose the center and side stands which the bike still can be ridden, it just is a pain to park when you get there.
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793
You could always just dig a service pit in your garage.
As long as the water table is lower than your pit.
I put together a set of three wooden blocks that hold the bike about 6 inches off the ground for oil changes and such. I use a floor jack to set each block in turn. I plan on constructing a platform to hold it about 30 inches off the ground for more serious work which I don't foresee needing for quite a while. I will probably use ramps to get it on the higher platform and utilize removable sections and jack stands to provide access and support the odd bits.
I have contemplated lifting it with my backhoe's forklift attachment for any emergency service. I HATE laying on the concrete floor wedged under a motorcycle.
