Hello, glad to find this place.
I was in a car accident, messing up both my legs. I have use of my left again, and hope to start working with my right in few weeks.
I am thinking about a sidecar for this year, and maybe next. Maybe taking on and off eventually. Always wanted to take dog with.
I have a 2007 HD FLHTCU that I want to put a car onto.
I’ve been reading up, and it’s a little more involved then I thought. I originally was thinking FLH frame for EVOs and TC were same until 08, so cars would be too. But after reading FAQ, I am not sure.
I don’t care about speakers. Not sure if I care about lightning. Ultra has a few lights, but more is better. So the other thing is brakes??
Is see Harley sidecars from various years, and I see some after market. I don’t need all the frills, but I do a bit of touring, and want something road worthy.
Harley ones seem to be a lot more money. Is it a Harley thing, or are they better matched?
Whats a rough guess on mounting hardware and extras? Is it better to get one already with everything? Whats the luck with getting people to ship them?
The cheapest one I have seen, in WI is a vortex for $2500, then a 96 HD near me, and 2006 few hours away. I just curious what to look for. Any help is appreciated.
I don't think you could go wroneg with a CJ sidecar, I have seen pics of vthem mounted to Harleys on this forum. $1650 delivered to your door.
1- "I am thinking about a sidecar for this year, and maybe next. Maybe taking on and off eventually."
The on and off thing wears out soon because of the hassle and most sub-frames reduce the ground clearance for right hand turns.
2- "I do a bit of touring, and want something road worthy."
A heavier sidecar is needed for the Ultra. Most all currently available aftermarket sidecars have full suspension and will easily handle all the road speed an Ultra can muster.
3- "Harley ones seem to be a lot more money. Is it a Harley thing, or are they better matched?"
Everything Harley licensed costs more money. The Harley chassis hasn't changed much since the "Silent Gray Fellows" over a hundred years ago. Still an unsprung chassis with a sprung body.
4- "What's a rough guess on mounting hardware and extras?"
Sub-frame, $700. or more shipped.
Adjustable mounts if needed, $500. or so.
Disc brake, $500. or more.
Steering damper maybe $150. or more.
Matching paint, up to $1,200 or more fro two tone or extras.
Matching wheel and tire, $600. Much more if the axle won't accept a Harley wheel.
Electric tilt, plenty bucks.
Installation, maybe $800. or more.
Even a used Harley sidecar of the wrong year can cost over $1,600.00 to adapt to your Ultra.
Don't even think Velorex for this machine. Bike is too big and heavy.
Attached are a few options.
Lonnie
Northwest Sidecars
What brands are recmoneded? So far mentioned CJ, sypder and Harely.
Near me is 96 HD, $4500. Few hours away is 2006 HD, $5200. Alot newer.
Hack'n said maybe $1600 to hook up a differant year car to my bike. Tough thing about this is knowing what I am getting into.
There is an indie near me, with a sidecar. Maybe talk to him.
Your Harley dealer has a sidecar service manual that lists connection kits for different year Ultra to sidecar connection kits and pricing for same. They also have flat rate prices for installation available if you want a HD car. The 2006 model would be the cheapest to install.
Lonnie
Lonnie, your attachment 03FLHT-EARLT FSI4 sidecar looks like the California Sidecar (different paint and no right side headlight) attached to the rig we bought last year. When I contacted CSC for information with the serial number (CSC101038) to find out the year, specs and anything else they had, they claimed until 2001 the VIN # were randomly assigned numbers and could not provide any info. From what I have seen posted, as well as my own experience, apparently CSC does not have the best after sale cooperation. Do you know what year the unit is in your photo?
The earliest Friendship I sidecars had solid steel rod lower mounts. Then they went to adjustable tube mounts with very tiny (marble sized) ball and collets for the lower mounts until 1988.
They also had torsional suspension until 1988.
After 1988 the sidecar mounts were changed to Heim joint (rod end) lower mounts since the little collet mounts had been known to fail.
The later model heim joint bosses will fit the earlier tube style clamps.
The suspension was also changed to a more conventional trailing link coil over shock setup. CSC used to sell upgrade suspension conversions.
FYI: If one has the early style car the torsion straps can be made from early VW beetle front torsion straps.
Dauntless also did have replacement brass bushings for the swing-arm.
Some had plastic/nylon? bushings, some had brass.
Lonnie
Mike,
What part of Wisconsin? There is a sidecar gathering coming up June 5 to 7. In Cameron, about an hour north of Eau Claire. Lots of sidecars to look at and owners brains to pick. http://www.skunktails.com/2008rally.htm for details.
Welcome to the Circus!
Another Mike
I am in Ozaukee county, north of Milwaukee. I am not going to get to try and use my right foot, for 3 weeks. So I am not driving anywhere. Other wise it does sound interesting.
Just a word of warning sidecars should come with a health warning,
THESE THINGS ARE ADDICTIVE. once you have ridden for a while you wont want to go solo again. best of luck and i hope all goes well with the injuries, it's not the best way to start sidecaring but you'll love it. on the matter o choice think about what you intend to use it for no point buying all singing all dancing if it's just for the dog & shopping ( no offence to the dog intended ) Hank
I didn't realize how pricey it was. Was thinking around $3k. If I want to ride this year, I will most likely need it. Next year I dunno. I shattered my heel. I still don't know how that is going to heal up.
I thought it would be nice on gravel roads?? For going to camp. My bike is a grocery getter for me, its what I ride most of the time. The sidecar would allow more capacity, but the Ultra has done alright. Planning trip to Alaska. Extra gas and capacity might be nice.
Whats putting the damper on this for me, is figuring out what to get. I don't want to have a big me$$. I don't want to buy a used and then take a year for to figure out how to get it on. I figured get car for FLH frame, then order for mounting hardware. I didn't realize the difference in years. Typically Harleys don't change from year to year.
Have the Harley frames changed, with respect to mounting points? If someone had it mounted on a FLH, I thought the hardware would be good. What wouldn't be? I don't care about speakers. Not sure if I care about lights. I want a safe and enjoyable ride.
Buy the Harley sidecar manual Part #99485-08 and it has a listing of exactly what kit you will need to attach different year Harleys and Harley sidecars.
There have been many changes to the Harley frames and the electrical connections through the years.
Lonnie
Northwest Sidecars
Originally written by Berserker on 5/16/2009 9:29 AM
I didn't realize how pricey it was. Was thinking around $3k. If I want to ride this year, I will most likely need it. Next year I dunno. I shattered my heel. I still don't know how that is going to heal up.
I thought it would be nice on gravel roads?? For going to camp. My bike is a grocery getter for me, its what I ride most of the time. The sidecar would allow more capacity, but the Ultra has done alright. Planning trip to Alaska. Extra gas and capacity might be nice.
Whats putting the damper on this for me, is figuring out what to get. I don't want to have a big me$$. I don't want to buy a used and then take a year for to figure out how to get it on. I figured get car for FLH frame, then order for mounting hardware. I didn't realize the difference in years. Typically Harleys don't change from year to year.
Have the Harley frames changed, with respect to mounting points? If someone had it mounted on a FLH, I thought the hardware would be good. What wouldn't be? I don't care about speakers. Not sure if I care about lights. I want a safe and enjoyable ride.
It is 10 miles to the nearest blacktop from where I live, that's just one of the reasons why I am mounting a sidecar, riding on gravel is no fun on two wheels.
I think you are worrying too much about fitting a sidecar to your bike, it's not at all complicated really. I fitted a sidecar to an Ariel huntsmaster when I was 16 yrs old with no understanding of what was involved and with no mechanical or engineering exerience whatsoever. It took me just a morning to get it set up properly.
As I think I mentioned already the CJ sidecars are a good deal, they look nice,and for one in as new condition the price can not be beat. They also comes with fittings to attatch it to the bike.
Sorry Mick but the CJ will not come with a mount set to fit it to a 2007 Harley.
Lots of labor and many $$$$ will change hands before a CJ mounts to an '07 ULTRA.
Lonnie
Northwest Sidecars
I know it will not come with a mount set for an ultra but it will come with usefull pieces I'm sure. A frame is a frame no matter what bike it is. I can't see that it would be a big deal,or that many $$$$ would need to be spent.
An other way to do this would be to sell the Harley and buy a complete rig with the proceeds. I bet he could get a nice rig and still have money left over.
