Thank You, MJ @mj for that information and video. You are only 10" taller than my wife, and she cannot sit inside the Hannigan GTL Sidecar, wearing a helmet, with the hardtop on the Sidecar. Her helmet scrapes the underside of the hardtop.
Again, my wife is only 5 feet tall.
So, it begs the question: Who in the World designed a Sidecar with a hardtop, that even a person that is only 5 feet tall cannot sit inside the Sidecar with their helmet on ?
On the drive this past Saturday, almost 200 miles, she rode inside the Sidecar with no helmet on, but wearing a Sena headset, so she could listen to her music. With the hardtop on, it is extremely difficult for anyone to see if the passenger is wearing a helmet, or not.
We took the chance, just to try it out that way.
Reality....she will wear her helmet, and we will have the hardtop removed....93.14 percent of the time.
Frankly, it's stupid for a Sidecar manufacturer to build a Sidecar with a hardtop that can only convey smaller children and their dogs, but won't allow even a 5 foot tall adult to sit inside, with a helmet on, and the hardtop in place.
I did call Hannigan about this, and their answer was less than inspiring.... remove the hardtop.
We WILL be buying an electric chair lift from Hannigan, for me to install in this GTL Sidecar, then.....it will be as easy as MJ demonstrated in her video to get into or out of the Sidecar seat
Again, thank you MJ for the video.
Two Million Mile Rider...All 7 Continents
Exploring the World in Comfort
That is a great video! Should be on Hannigan's website. 👍
Wonder if moving the seat back like they did would provide extra headroom? Looks like the top slopes up towards the rear.
Hold my keyboard and watch this! 🙃
That is a great video! Should be on Hannigan's website. 👍
Wonder if moving the seat back like they did would provide extra headroom? Looks like the top slopes up towards the rear.
Oh, Scott........I can tell you that the seat being all the way back, or anywhere fore or aft, makes zero difference whether a person can sit inside with the hardtop in place.
We have the seat all the way rearward, and my 5 foot tall wife still scraped her helmet on the underside of the hardtop.
Only solution.... remove the hardtop, use the Sidecar as a convertible, and install an electric chair lift.
Two Million Mile Rider...All 7 Continents
Exploring the World in Comfort
There have been a couple of Hannigan Astro cars with hardtops that have been modified to put an inner, higher clearance hardtop in place. Kind of like a tiered wedding cake is my best description. Unfortunately, it won't really fit with the overall look of your car.
ETA: yes, Karen was JUST able to sit in our Astro car with her helmet on. It did occasionally tap the hard top.
Illegitemi non carborundum est!
That is a great video! Should be on Hannigan's website. 👍
Wonder if moving the seat back like they did would provide extra headroom? Looks like the top slopes up towards the rear.
Oh, Scott........I can tell you that the seat being all the way back, or anywhere fore or aft, makes zero difference whether a person can sit inside with the hardtop in place.
We have the seat all the way rearward, and my 5 foot tall wife still scraped her helmet on the underside of the hardtop.
Only solution.... remove the hardtop, use the Sidecar as a convertible, and install an electric chair lift.
At least you have a solution. 👍
Hope you'll share pictures of the install. 🍻
Hold my keyboard and watch this! 🙃
@swampfox I don't ride with the hard top on, as my head would hit and I don't care for the "encased in plastic" feeling. The one problem is that the windshield is pretty close and if I don't pay attention to the ride, "Bonk" windshield meets helmet.
The new electric chair lift from Hannigan's has been completed, and shipped as of yesterday. it is only 66 pounds....which is a heavy lift for the UPS driver.
It is scheduled to be at my place next Thursday, December 5th, which means...I have a small project ahead of me...to remove the current sidecar seat (that will be easy), then fit the new electric chair lift into the sidecar, mark the holes, drill the holes into the rails of the electric chair lift, temporarily place bolts through those newly drilled holes...as if to secure the new electric chair lift to the sidecar body/floor....then place the existing sidecar chair onto the rails of the new electric chair lift...mark the holes needed to secure the existing chair to the new electric chair lift...remove the existing chair...remove the new electric chair lift, then drill...baby drill....the new holes into the upper rails of the electric chair lift....THEN....full install of the new electric chair lift to the sidecar body/floor, proper bolts, washers, and nylock nuts, then install the existing chair to the new electric chair lift...proper bolts, washers, and nylock nuts...and then....wire it all up to the sidecar, with new toggle switch in such a place where it is easy to reach for my wife.
Should keep me busy in my shop for 3 hours, 14 minutes, and 15 seconds.
And yes, once 100% done, it will again have these funny rubber caps installed on the nuts/bolt threads that protrude through the sidecar floor, so they don't corrode.
Two Million Mile Rider...All 7 Continents
Exploring the World in Comfort
If you happen to know someone with a vehicle lift, setting the seat lifting platform in place would sure be easier than lifting by hand.
Not many people have a car lift in their shop. Hmmmm? 🤔
😉
Hold my keyboard and watch this! 🙃
I could see a block/tackle setup being helpful for placement if one did not have an actual lift. Still makes the challenge of getting things bolted in from underneath.
You guys make me laugh 
Two Million Mile Rider...All 7 Continents
Exploring the World in Comfort
Always trying for a rise.
I could see a block/tackle setup being helpful for placement if one did not have an actual lift. Still makes the challenge of getting things bolted in from underneath.
You guys make me laugh
One of the many valuable services I freely provide!
Illegitemi non carborundum est!
Prelude:
It's a frosty morning, with frozen dew in all the spider webs, as I go outside to let the remaining 5 chickens out of their coop.
I stroll over to my shop, turning on the lights, and opening the large roll up shop door, then mosy over to the electric entrance gate to our ranch, open it, then turn off the gate opener, so the gate will stay open for the next few hours, as I await the delivery of the new Hannigan electric chair lift that is scheduled for delivery today.
I walk back to the house, getting warmed up, and I ask myself......"self, what would Thane do on a frosty December morning, whilst awaiting delivery of a UPS package" ?
Then it occurred to me, that Thane would occupy his time..... baking edible goods.
Doing my best Thane imitation, I set about preparing and baking.....a dozen Pumpkin spice cookies with Pecan nuts....then a batch of Double Chocolate Brownies....then a 6 pack of large Cornbread muffins with Honey in the mix.
Yeah...... that should tide me over until the UPS truck gets here.
Two Million Mile Rider...All 7 Continents
Exploring the World in Comfort
Don't forget to add the good stuff to the Brownies.
You DO mean pecans, right?
Illegitemi non carborundum est!
