Hi folks,
I'm new here, first post. I just picked up a 2014 Moto Guzzi V7 that I'd like to have a sidecar installed on. I want something small, but big enough for one adult or for one of my Lab Retrievers to sit in, and retro styling to match the Guzzi.
I'm in Atlantic Canada and as far as I can tell the closest dealer/installer is Trans Moto in Quebec. Anyone deal with them before? I traded a couple of emails with the owner, and at least he is prompt with his replies. But other than that I know nothing about the outfit.
I'd like to buy and have the car installed in Canada so my options are limited. Unless there is a reputable installer closer that someone knows of.
The decline of the Canadian dollar vs. the US one prevents me from looking south of the border.
Thanks
Terry
They make some fine products. I have no experience with their installation practices, but their pricing seems quite fair.
Lonnie
Northwest Sidecars
Many of there products would appear to be made off shore that they just relabeled. We have done some product support for their customers and there are many threads about this company over on advrider.com
Make sure that it will be mounted with proper bike specific mounts not a bunch of "universal" type frame clamps.
A quality sidecar can last you a life time through many different bikes, it can be worth spending a bit more up front in order to get a product that is high enough quality to last through many bikes, we had one customer (since passed) who had over 350,000 miles on one of our sidecars on 5 different bikes.
BTW, we own and ride Moto Guzzi's and have been life members of the national club for over 20 years, my wife has a couple of Eldorado's. I just sold my own EV about 3 weeks ago so do not currently have a Guzzi.
I wish more people would do their research before buying! (see my posts about safer whole sale)
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793
When I worked at Old Vintage Cranks in Acton, Ontario, I had two Trans Moto sidecars come in for alignment and other issues. I was underwhelmed with the quality and design of their mounting system, particularly the one that had the "quick disconnect" pins. I would suggest you look elsewhere for a sidecar capable of handling the Guzzi, as companies like Hannigan, Champion and DMC offer far better choices. Yes, the exchange rate is a real pain and there is a lack of installers in your area (we fielded many requests from the Martimes), but if you're going to do it, do it right the first time.
Thanks for all the responses folks. I have to go to New Jersey next spring for a week, so I may see if I can work out something with an installer in that area, maybe.
Many people do their own installation, as long as you have proper bike specific mounts if you have reasonable mechanical skills you should be able to do it. If not who ever works on your bike should be able to do it.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793
Thanks Jay, I'm not too bad with a wrench, failing that, I do have a hangar full of aircraft maintenance engineers I can rely on.
I do see that you sell a V7 Stone specific mount.
Interesting that this thread is going now, I just got an email from some one who took their Trans Moto sidecar off about a year ago as they felt its mounting just was not safe. They sent me photo's. It came with mounts that are suppose to work on both a Harley Softtail and a Harley FLH (totally different bikes) the mounts consist of a few fabricated parts that are held on with "U" bolts and a lot of Velorex hardware with the lower rear "strut" held to the frame of the sidecar with a couple of "U" bolts so that you can slide it fore and aft. Not what we would ever want to use on a bike as big and heavy as the Harley's. If this sidecar came in to our shop to mount we would start by scraping the hardware and making significant changes to the entire mounting system.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
866-638-1793
www.dmcsidecars.com
Ditto on what Jay has said. We have done (redone) mounting also.
Thanks guys, well you made up my mind. Plus I spoke with an owner on Advrider who said stay away too.
Here is a link to a review that was just posted on another forum more then likely the guy on "Advrider" that you spoke with.
http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/sidecar-dealer-installer-in-quebec-a-review.1101245/
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
