I am looking for just the body. (see the picutres of my sidebox in this forum). The box is
bolted in 4 places to the frame. I would like to have a car body to mount in it's place. Any suggestions as to how I could make something for a passenger to ride in?
Originally written by james loshbaugh on 3/28/2007 5:31 PM
I am looking for just the body. (see the picutres of my sidebox in this forum). The box is
bolted in 4 places to the frame. I would like to have a car body to mount in it's place. Any suggestions as to how I could make something for a passenger to ride in?
James,
If you wish to make your own use your imgination. Look at things around you and think how a sidecar body could be made from them or if what you are looking at may be used as a part of one or maybe even used as a fiberglass mold.
We have seen sidecar bodies made all kinds of things. Think about snowmobile bodies, bumpercar bodies, or any kind of amusment park type thing that may be able to work. Bodies have been made from plywood. I have seen them made from two large trash cans welded end to end with an opening cut out for the passenger. One time we saw one made from the two rear fenders welded together and modified that came of a 1950 studebaker truck. Clawfoot bathtubs make an excellent fiberglass mold as do old shower stalls etc etc. They are smooth on the inside and with a liberal amout of some johnson's paste wax as a relaese agent can make some interesting things. Think of two clawfoot bath tub shapes with one upside down and one right side up put together. Had a friend who made a body out of a fiberglas truck cap by narrowing and shortening it. Look at some of the small car bodies out there...the trunk areas on some can be narrowed easily if the top is basically flat. Two of the trunk areas NARROWED with rear fender areas filled in and put end to end can work.
Another option is to build a metal framework out of conduit and cover it with fabric.
If you are a little wacky and have the time the possibilities are endless.
To decide on the size sit a passenger down and take some measurements. Then find what seat you want to use ...a car seat works well. Then JUST GO NUTS WITH IT. People will look at you a little weird but trust me you will get used to it and smile a lot if you are into it.
My personal favorite, the Drop-tank body.
Stolen from Pashnit.com
I have a Cal.2 body for sale if you are intersted, I am in Grand Junction
I have a buck from when I made the body for my sidecar. You are welcome to borrow it, but you'll need to come to SD to get it. It'd be REALLY easy to form a fiberglass body using that buck.
Here's one on eBay.......unfortunately it has no hardware and he won't ship....I just noticed that he has a reserve on it, too.....he may have an inflated notion of the value.
Thanks for all the great ideas and suggestions. i is entirely possible that thecurrent box could with a few modifications be set up to hold a passenger. I think by installing seat belts and a partial lid
(maybe one that swivels up and down) padding and a seat it may be okay. i will certainly keep my options open. Maybe I'll just bolt a car seat on since I will only probably use it in relatively low speed situations. When I make some changes I will try again to get a picture to you. Joyce was able to help me recently but may I can become more high tech in the ner future. I see Ron has on in
Grand juction so i will contce him. Thanks agin for all the good suggestions. Jim in Denver
