installers in SoCal

Doug Bingham (SideStrider, Inc.) in Van Nuys, CA

Ph. 818-780-1587

Lonnie

Thanks Hack'n
I left him a message

Hi:
Congratulations on your "new" purchase. 🙂
Here is a link to venders and or installers in CA.
I can personally vouch for the quality of workmanship for Matt Gibbs (see list)
http://www.sidecar.com/MapResult.asp?c=*&s=CA&cty=USA

good hunting, gp

thank you for the replies.
I contacted Matt Gibbs and he seemed like a very cool guy. In fact he was so cool, he let me drop ship the sidecar directly to his business and agreed to call me when it came in. Matt explained how he likes to weld the mounts and make them as inconspicuous as possible, which I liked. Matt was very forthright in telling me it would probably take 3 to 4 weeks before he could get to my work. I'm usually a bit leery about sending thousands of dollars worth of merchandise to someone whom I've never met, or a business I have never been to, but with Jay from DMC and gpers vouching for his work, I took a leap of faith in humanity and sent him the sidecar.
I can't wait to start learning to ride my new vehicle.
I will definitely post some pictures

b5rider:
Glad you got a hold of Matt. He is crazy smart, and his work is a brilliant combination of form and function. I swear he can fix anything and make it look great in the process. 🙂

Tell him Gail says "Hi".

Hope to see the posted results.

If you are new to sidecaring, a sidecar training class would be great - but since you are in So Cal, you will not find any classes nearby... So, in lieu of that, I strongly recommend you invest in the yellow book entitled "Driving a Sidecar Outfit" - 2nd edition, and then practice your ass of using the techniques. ( http://www.whitehorsegear.com/driving-a-sidecar-outfit-2nd-edition) .. The sidecar training classes are based on this book. Using this book as my bible, I rode 10,000 miles before taking advanced sidecar training in Carson City (class sometimes offered once a year) .. and I discovered what I learned in the "yellow Book" had me well prepared for any situation.. ($30 some $'s well spent.) There is also free information on this website at http://sidecar.com/links3.asp.

Here is a link to many rallies through out the state, including the Griffith Park Rally on Oct 12, 2014. Maybe we'll see you there. 🙂 http://sidecar.com/mbbs22/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=11832&posts=7&start=1

Congratulations on your new rig. See ya' on the road -
Drive safe , gail

Thank you,
I will pass on your regards to Matt and just bought the book from DMC sidecars (at least I can buy something from Jay for all of his advice).
I will definitely be at the rally. If I am proficient enough by October, I will ride it to the rally.

Great!.. I forgot that Jay carries the book too. Glad you got one. 🙂
Welcome to a whole new way of thinkin' and ridin'. Once you get the hang of this sidecar thing, you'll be hooked for life - keeps your brain healthy too. 🙂

Have fun. Safe journeys, always. See ya at Griffith Park. 🙂
gp

Another resource could be the "Driving the URAL sidecar motorcycle", If still available.
The "Yellow Book" was taken from this with URAL info deleted, even most of the pic are the same (Same author, David Hough).

A great deal of the same sidecar training info is also available for free here by downloading Hal Kendalls' book.

Lonnie

Thanks Lonnie.. another good resource for the senior memory bank. 🙂

Try here for the Ural book.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/UralManuals/HowToRideUral.pdf

thanks, everyone!

It'll be delivered tomorrow!
I'm more exited than a Chihuahua at a doorbell factory

Woo Hoo! keep us posted:-)

Finally got the bike to Matt. He is very knowledgeable and probably the friendliest guy I've met in years. He takes my calls after hours and has been very accommodating with all of the logistics.
I got a good look at the sidecar, and it's pretty big next to my 'mid size' 550. I hope it looks proportionate when installed and doesn't tax the bike too much.
My kids are excited about the prospect of riding in a sidecar, and have already told all of their friends they will be getting picked up from school on a motorcycle next week.

Matt said it would be done by next Thursday, so I will hopefully post some pictures.