Hi everyone, I now realize I must have a HP rig (I will keep the V Strom). I really liked the Bandito concept. I have talked with David Hannigan and I am seriously considering one of his on the Kawasaki ZX 14 platform. However, using Hannigan has a downside. I won’t be personally involved.
I would like to try to build/assemble it here in California with a help of a buddy (McGuyver’s brother so to speak). He would do all the work, I will watch/”supervise”. This would let me see all the details, as well as give me the opportunity to truly customize it for Connie. I could also get the power/handling I want.
My initial dilemma(s) are
1. I don’t know what type sidecar to get. All the manufacturers seem to be based on the east side of the country. I have looked online, but its is tough to tell from a couple pucture. I do need something with easy entry and a decent size trunk as we plan some long distance trips. Comfort is a big issue (she is quite petite, 4”11”, 110lbs). Any ideas of what specific SC to consider or, just as importantly, what to avoid would be greatly appreciated.
2. Although my buddy is very talented, he is has virtually no SC experience (other than he is currently fabricating a swaybar for the Strom). I think I should get a hub center steering with adjustable trail, with auto tires. Designing this from scratch is beyond us. Are there kits/assemblies available? Is there a shop who might work with me, i.e. sub assemblies? I think we can manage the wheels and swaybars, etc, *although any advice here would be very much appreciated.
I do not want to start something totally beyond our capabilities, and would hate to get done and realized we missed something important.
I haven't decided yet on the tug, the ZX14, Hayabusa, and Street Rod are high on the list, I will need one I can make comfortable (i.e. more upright). However, i think I would like to select the SC and sources to help 1st.
Any advice/references, etc on either area will be appreciated
Thanks, greg
213-300-3730
When I get up to speed,or if your ever down Temecula Valley way, you can put her in my Daytona to see how she likes it if you want. It really is roomy to say the least, very wide set up though.Linda
Originally written by gregbenner on 11/23/2006 1:13 AMHi everyone, I now realize I must have a HP rig (I will keep the V Strom). I really liked the Bandito concept. I have talked with David Hannigan and I am seriously considering one of his on the Kawasaki ZX 14 platform. However, using Hannigan has a downside. I won’t be personally involved. I would like to try to build/assemble it here in California with a help of a buddy (McGuyver’s brother so to speak). He would do all the work, I will watch/”supervise”. This would let me see all the details, as well as give me the opportunity to truly customize it for Connie. I could also get the power/handling I want.My initial dilemma(s) are1. I don’t know what type sidecar to get. All the manufacturers seem to be based on the east side of the country. I have looked online, but its is tough to tell from a couple pucture. I do need something with easy entry and a decent size trunk as we plan some long distance trips. Comfort is a big issue (she is quite petite, 4”11”, 110lbs). Any ideas of what specific SC to consider or, just as importantly, what to avoid would be greatly appreciated. 2. Although my buddy is very talented, he is has virtually no SC experience (other than he is currently fabricating a swaybar for the Strom). I think I should get a hub center steering with adjustable trail, with auto tires. Designing this from scratch is beyond us. Are there kits/assemblies available? Is there a shop who might work with me, i.e. sub assemblies? I think we can manage the wheels and swaybars, etc, *although any advice here would be very much appreciated.I do not want to start something totally beyond our capabilities, and would hate to get done and realized we missed something important.I haven't decided yet on the tug, the ZX14, Hayabusa, and Street Rod are high on the list, I will need one I can make comfortable (i.e. more upright). However, i think I would like to select the SC and sources to help 1st.Any advice/references, etc on either area will be appreciatedThanks, greg213-300-3730
Greg, I doubt if in the end you would be dissatisfied with the Dave Hannigan outfit. I also understand where you are coming from as far as wanting to be involved in the actual build. One thing that comes to mind is that you may want to contact Mike Braverman. He is in California and has tons of sidecar experience. Recently they were constructing a Sauer HPS rig based on a V Rod. Haven't heard from Mike in a long time so am not sure of what is going on out there but you woudl be in good hands with him.click here and then surf around Mike's site a little. http://www.sidecarmike.com/vrod.shtml Another good thing would be to join the HPSidecar Site. It was set up by Bill Ballou a while back and is dedicated to HPS. I am one of the moderators there. Click here: http://hpsidecars.com/forum/Well known HPS guy Roger Symington has a great site at: http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/sidebike99/Raplh Gerkens site is also excellent at: http://home.insightbb.com/~ralph1/index.html THERE ARE SOME EXCELLENT LINKS AT THESE SITES TO LOOK OVER!! As far a purchasing component parts like a center hub front end etc goes...that could be a challenge. Building the front end is not that difficult but it needs to be right geometry wise. If your friend is a good knowegeble fabricator one possibly could be done by him. Structure is very important needless to say in addition to geometry. If you do not grasp what centerpoint steering is all about or what the terms center hub as opposed to true center hub means you can google these terms and probably get some decent info off the net. Don't be afraid to ask questions at the HPS form, SCT or here either. The ZX14 should make an excellent HPS rig base. You will soon find you are not alone in using this as a power unit. Also, Greg, feel free to call me again at home in the evenings. (570) 837-5182 And keep me posted on the swaybar deal too 🙂
TRY AND TAKE A TRIP TO MURRAY AND WATCH THEM THERE PUTTING A RIG TOGETHER
You should also check out the EZS options. A dealer (liberty) is on the west coast.
I would add the bmw k1200rs as a tug option as well. Low mile 98-01 years are available under 6k these days.
Thanks for the replies.. Claude and Beanie, I appreciate thecooments re Hannigan. I don't doubt i would be satisfied, his reputation is impressive. If it ends up too complex I may just bite the bullet.
I was hoping to save a few $$ as well, although I have been penny wise more than once in my life.., and really hate it when it happens...
Claude, I will definitely call
btw, I recently joined HPsidecar, and posted this there as well.
thx
greg
I realise that this will not fullfill your requirements for self-building, self mounting, But I would highly recommend that you visit the SAUER sidecar website. These people are VERY experienced in the construction of high-performance/racing sidecars. Hope this will give you a few ideas.
Greg, I am not a great wrench but I purchased an EZS a number of years ago and assembled it my self. Mounted it to a 85 K100RT. The dealer was very helpfull when I got stuck on assembly. Rig was very fast and very stable. The Rally model car was a little small so I sold it and went back to a R90/Ural with a custom made Neff suspension. Not near as fast but still very stable. I do not think you can go to far wrong with an EZS. Tom Farley
Originally written by TOM FARLEY on 12/2/2006 4:22 AM
Greg, I am not a great wrench but I purchased an EZS a number of years ago and assembled it my self. Mounted it to a 85 K100RT. The dealer was very helpfull when I got stuck on assembly. Rig was very fast and very stable. The Rally model car was a little small so I sold it and went back to a R90/Ural with a custom made Neff suspension. Not near as fast but still very stable. I do not think you can go to far wrong with an EZS. Tom Farley
Greg,
Ditto on Tom's remarks. Pete Larson if you go through Liberty Sidecar is a great guy to deal wiht and you won't go wromg. Be sure, AS I am sure you will, evaluate the variations betwen an EZS and the Hannigan. They are both great products but are quite different in the way they are designed.
Yep,
Pete and Patty LARSEN are great folks to deal with. Very knowledgable and
they WILL make time for you if you have questions.
Lonnie
I'm not going to suggest anything in particular, other than " how much more performance do you really need over a V-strom?"
It sounds like you're not beyond dropping $ 15K on the bike, you might as well expect to spend $10K for the right sidecar too.
Originally written by greenagain on 12/2/2006 10:20 PM
I'm not going to suggest anything in particular, other than " how much more performance do you really need over a V-strom?"
It sounds like you're not beyond dropping $ 15K on the bike, you might as well expect to spend $10K for the right sidecar too.
Something that Greg Benner omitted from his posting on sidecar.com, but had in his preamble to the same questions posed here, was that the V-Strom was a dual-sport setup. For dual-sports, yes, it's likely considered a performance rig. It isn't, however, a road-burner, low to the road, high performance rig, which he is looking for to fill out his stable.
Originally posted by gregbenner at http://hpsidecars.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=399
am a newbee here, and I wonder if I might solicit some advice. I currently have 2 SCs, a Ural and a V Strom dual sport SC, both acquired this year. I have ridden bikes since the early 60s, but am new to SCs My SO has Fibromyalgia and a minor spinal injury and is uncomfortable riding pillion on a bike. However, we both love SCs.
I now realize I must have a HP rig (I will keep the V Strom). I really liked the Bandito concept. I have talked with David Hannigan and I am seriously considering one of his on the Kawasaki ZX 14 platform. However, using Hannigan has a downside. I won’t be personally involved....
Hey Greg..on second thought why don't you purchase one of those hot little turbocharged tuner type cars and drive it out here to central Pa. We'll build a HPS rig using the drivetrain etc from it and you can ride the rig back home. Personally I think a purpose built tube frame rear engined HPS with independant suspension all around, swaybars side to side and front to rear, center hub steering, maybe a nitrous bottle for giggles and turning out 5 -600 horses on the turbo should trip the trigger of most anyone. Just bring money, take a leave of absense from your job and we'll go for it. Heck we'll even put a heated seat in the chair while we're at it and maybe retain the AC for sunny California.
I just sold twin turbo highly modified Porsche GT2. Sure is but, but I need more time (and need to win the lottery) to forget the expense.
Great idea though.
Originally written by claude #3563 on 12/3/2006 1:34 AM
Hey Greg..on second thought why don't you purchase one of those hot little turbocharged tuner type cars and drive it out here to central Pa. We'll build a HPS rig using the drivetrain etc from it and you can ride the rig back home. Personally I think a purpose built tube frame rear engined HPS with independant suspension all around, swaybars side to side and front to rear, center hub steering, maybe a nitrous bottle for giggles and turning out 5 -600 horses on the turbo should trip the trigger of most anyone. Just bring money, take a leave of absense from your job and we'll go for it. Heck we'll even put a heated seat in the chair while we're at it and maybe retain the AC for sunny California.
I really appreciate all the replies. I do plan to talk with both Pete at Liberty and Jay at Dauntless (Jay built the V Strom).
I also need to talk with Claude.
It seems as though what creates some of my delemma is the desire for hub center steering. I am getting the impression that this is as/or more difficualt/challenging the the rest of the install combined.
I may decide to delete this particular spec from the list, not sure yet.
greg
