I am cosidering attaching an 2007 Ultra Sidecar to my 2005 Ultra motorcycle. I am told by H-D that I can still get the sidecar with the sound system that is compatable with that of my bike. Also it will be the last year to match the color of the sidecar with that of my bike at the factory.
I'm woundering if there is anything I should be concerened with having a 2007 Ultra Sidecar attached to a 2005 Ultra motorcycle. I had originally
intended on purchasing both at the same time, but wanted to try the bike without the sidecar and also break it in prior to harnessing it with the extra load (Good idea or bad idea?).
I have gotten to know one of the mechanics at the local H-D dealer and he informs me that the sidecar rigs are a lot harder on clutches and in general have more transmission problems. How true is this?
Last but not least, Price! I have contacted two of the local H-D dealers and both are quoting me a price of about $9,000 for the sidecar and installation. How does this sound?
Though I have ridden as a passenger and driven sidecar rigs, I have a lot to learn and any and all help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
P.S. I have been reading the posts on this site in regards to H-D and other sidecar manufacturers. If any one thing stands out it is the (high to me) cost of putting a rig together. I have not had any replies to my questions and I relize that they are probably pretty rudimentary at best, but humor me at least. Thanks again! Oh yeah-it's either a sidecar or Mazda Miata for the wife!
a 2007 sidecar ordered to go on at 2005 bike will work perfect - but have a couple of "future" issues
1 - the sound system wont work on a 2006 or newer bike
2 - the mounts wont work on a 2007 or newer bike
3 - at resale it will price as a 2005 sidecar because to convert the sidecar later to work on a newer bike will be 2k or better
to
Just for fun i guess i would see if i couldn't find a "05" hack...I sure theres got to be a few out there... just a thought....Ed
I think you have some good questions. You never realy know until you ask. Even then you may find you just have to go with what your gut is telling you or maybe your wallet.
I probably have between 4 and 5,000 mile on my sidecar in about 6 months. I researched used VS. new for a while. I went with used. Thunderbird HD in Albqurque quoted me 11,000 over the phone. That settled it right there. I looked through all the classifieds and found my sidecar on cycletrader.com. I ride a 2006 Ultra and put a 2001 sidecar on. It needed some cosmetic help but for 3800 bucks plus paint I had my ride put together.
As for the radio in the side car. Is it that important to you? For me not realy. I have my tunes come in through the helmet. My wife doesn't listen to music when we ride. She says it's her time to think about things. So I took out the radio from the sidecar and I think it gave a bit more leg room for her.
As for dealers, I guess we just never see eye to eye. I always seem to think they should honor something under warranty then they don't. I end up paying. Barnetts HD in Las Cruces would probably void your warranty for using the wrong wax. They told me if something happened while pulling a trailer the would void my warranty. I can't figure that out when my sidecar puts more stress on my bike than my trailer does. So it's hard for me to trust HD dealers. In 6 months I have not noticed anything going on with my clutch. I think you did the right thing by breaking in your bike first.
I suggest going to a synthetic oil if you have not yet. Your bike will run cooler, have less wear on engine parts, and get a bit better fuel mileage. You can check my site out. www.lubedealer.com/danzoils. I sell AMSOIL for a part time business. It may seem more expensive but you have extended oil change intervals. AMSOIL says 2 times the duration of petroleum oil or 1 year, which ever comes first. They also have filters available.
I hope I have helped in your decision. I know it's tough getting things answered at times.
Many Blessings,
Dan Clark
505-993-6716
Las Cruces, NM
Thanks for the replies and good advice.
Just finished a similar project by mounting a 1997 Ultra Sidecar to a 2003 Ultra Classic. Here's some of the issues that the shop ran into:
1. The older hack required that the rear master cylinder be removed and replaced with the old style master cylinder (the old style is smaller, and has an external reservoir mounted between the front frame tubes).
2. Pre-1998 the sidecars have drum rather than disc brake on the hack. Not a problem, just something that may make a difference to some people.
3. The older radio systems had external amplifiers for the radios, and the older hacks have their own external amplifier under the seat to power the sidecar speakers. Not compatible with the '03 radio. Wiring had to be constructed to bypass the sidecar amplifier.
4. The amplifier is also tied to the intercom system and the controls on the sidecar dash. Since it was bypassed, the two controls on the dash do not function. Speakers have been hard-wired to the rear bike speakers, so volume is controlled by the driver using the fader control on the stereo. Intercom wiring had to be run from the bike seperately because the older sidecars don't have a plug for the intercom system.
5. The older sidecar has a 3/4" axle, compared to the 1" axle on newer models. It's almost impossible to find a dealer that can tell me what kind of aftermarket chrome wheel can be fitted to the sidecar. Stuck with the stock wheel for now.
6. Expensive as hell to perform all the modifications (especially the wiring) when the sidecar and bike are 6 years age difference. With all the changes, it cost about $1,500 in parts and labor to have the sidecar put on the bike. Paint and 100th anniversary striping cost another $1,000.
None of these issues may be a problem with your newer bike and sidecar, but there may be other issues. Don't plan on a cheap addition, and you won't be disappointed. I love the final results on mine!
As expected,the H-D dealers that I have spoken to do not sell many sidecar rigs and most of the sales staffs do not know much about them.
I did finally get my technical questions answered by a (returned) phone call from H-D customer service. The lady that I spoke with was knowledgable and for those questions she couldn't answere she knew who to ask.
As a side note, I learned that for all of Norh America there are 12 H-D customer service representitives and for the rest of the World-One(1).
The input I am receiving from this forum is invaluable. Please keep it coming. Thanks!
Can you post the number to customer service? I think that could be a huge help to some of us out here. I know Barnetts HD in El Paso has a sidecar rig on their floor. They maybe a source for some questions. I don't know there number off hand. Also, another great source for me was just buy the service manual for my sidecar. When I go home tonight I will see about a part number for that manual and post it. Thanks
Harley-Davidson Customer Service
3700 W. Juneau Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53208
To speak with a Harley-Davidson customer service representative call (414) 343-4056.
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888-224-BIKE (2453)
Tell us about your vacation experience or share your comments and concerns that are TRAVEL related ONLY. Please submit this valuable information to the following address.
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All of the above information on mounting a HD sidecar to an Ultra is essentially correct.
The number for the manual is 99485-XX (XX is the last two digits of the years that you want). I have the 99485-06 manual.
I have a new TLE that is paint-matched to my bike based on my VIN number - Black with two silver stripes. The bill of sale from HD reflects that it is a 2007 model although the paint match is for 2004, 2005.
Thanks Lonnie and GNM109. I appreciate the shared knowledge and I'm sure others do too.
Thanks again for all of the replies. What do you believe to be the most problematic with the H-D sidecar rigs?
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make? model? version? electric? year?
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Originally written by Chain Gun on 10/8/2007 4:42 PM
Thanks again for all of the replies. What do you believe to be the most problematic with the H-D sidecar rigs?
If you mean what year, the later the better. If you mean the basic design, there's really nothing wrong with the basic design. They handle well, run will and are not all that much more expensive than most once installed.
I don't see them as being problematic at all.
Thanks again to all for responding. For the most part I have been trying to find about about the extra wear and tear on the motorcycle. As for cost I can see that the price on the H-D sidecar is not really overpriced compared to the other options out there.
Having had this H-D Ultra for a couple of years now, I know what it costs to operate. Now the decision is up to me! I really do like the H-D Ultra rig! Stay safe all!!!!!!!!!!!!!
