I am posting this for someone who is having problems with the website and forum software. -Webmaster
"Hello folks,
I have a 1999 Honda Magna 750 that I would like to get a sidecar for. I know absolutely nothing about sidecars. The five local motorcycle dealerships have been of no help to me. I do not want to pick a sidecar off of the Internet without any knowledge as to what to look for.
So… I am fishing around for some advice or suggestions as to a reliable brand of sidecar.
I am also striking out asking around as to who would mount it on my motorcycle. I live in the southeastern Pennsylvania area.
So if anyone also knows of a shop that would be willing to mount a sidecar, that would be a great help. I am willing to travel a bit to have a sidecar mounted.
I was just looking into the Cozy Euro Model, but I have not heard back from them yet as to whether or not they have a showroom. They only mention a warehouse on their website.
I would love to see one and sit in it and see if I even like it before just buying it.
I never anticipated that it would be so difficult to get a sidecar for my bike!
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you,
Kathleen
Jerry
I fly (and ride) to free my mind from the tyranny of petty things. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
It's a long haul from PA, and others may know closer options in your area, but it would be well worth giving Kent Silk a call at Texas Sidecars to get an idea of their pricing and service options, as well as their range of products that might be appropriate for your bike.
Generally, you will want to go with a lighter, smaller car on a 750, but that is a very capable bike, so not really limited. I would avoid the really large sidecars, but something like their "Texas Ranger" model might be in the range of good options.
Jon Skagen (@sidecarusa) posts on here from time to time and does a lot of their work. I have had business dealings with Kent and Jon, and found them to be decent people.
They have quite a bit of information that you might find useful on their website.
You may wish to take a look through the library section on this site, as well. There is a large amount of useful information on just about everything sidecar related, from selection, and operation. I've been doing this crazy stuff for about 3 years on a Honda Africa Twin rig, and have found the resources very useful.
You may find, if you are not super attached to the bike itself, that the best approach is to find an assembled and proven rig that is already put together well and debugged.
As a price point, I know of a Valkyrie rig that I personally rode that the ask price is now around $5k, and there is an older Goldwing 1100 rig for sale on this site, asking $7,900 that appears to be well put together. You likely will not be able to touch an installed price on your bike for either of those figures, without significant DIY.
The Hal Kendal materials on this site, here, are a really good place to learn about sidecar stuff.
Time spent on research will pay off enormously, later in your journey. A well sorted out rig is a real pleasure to drive. A poorly sorted out one will turn you off the idea, quickly.
Cool Bike! Found this picture on the internet.
For a new sidecar setup, I second Dane's (@ben-franklin) thought on Texas Sidecars. From the units I've seen, they do beautiful work, and have some pretty awesome choices. Maybe ship the bike to them, and then do an epic "fly & ride" vacation back home.
There was a lady at the rally last year with a really cool Ducati/sidecar rig. She had it custom built somewhere in the south east, if I remember right. Her son built a stunning custom motorcycle. Not sure if she or her son are members. They both were really happy with her rig. Maybe someone here will know who they are, and can put you in contact.
Also, at the risk of sounding like a cheap shill, joining the USCA will put you in contact with the local chapter, and will probably net you some great first hand experience from local members.
Good luck with your journey. Hope you get the website figured out, and will post up your progress/questions! It is always fun to follow along with a new project. 👍
Shout-out to our Super Website Guru Jerry for jumping in. 🍻
Hold my keyboard and watch this! 🙃
Hello! Thank you for getting back to me with your helpful suggestions. I will look into the websites you’ve told me about And. Also, I am going to join the sidecar association. I did look at Texas sidecar, but I am afraid they are out of my budget. I guess, when I first started looking into getting a sidecar, which was only really days ago, I googled Sidecars Insula less expensive sidecars. So I kind of had that price range in mind.
What I’m leaning towards now is probably going with your suggestion of a proven rig. The Valkyrie would be more in my price range. Plus I like Valkyries!
May I ask you what state the Valkyrie is in ? if it is still available that is.
I obviously have a lot to learn. One problem of mine is I am an impulse buyer! I get an idea in my head and boom. I have to do it. My husband is the exact opposite and is telling me to slow down and do my research.
So I might be on the losing end of instant gratification and just have to slow down and learn about what I am getting into. This might take a while. Thank you for your helpful suggestions, and for getting back to me!
of course I have a big thank you to Jerry for helping me out by posting my letter! He probably never dealt with somebody who is so computer inept as I am.
The picture of the red magna looks exactly like mine! I really love that bike. It’s a very fun bike to ride and it’s pretty!
So thank you both for getting back to me, and thank you Jerry for helping me !
never underestimate the excitement of an impulse purchase or the thrill of finding yourself in over your head.
great stories start out that way.
We have mounted many sidecars to the cycle contact us at Bald Eagle Sidecar.
Hello Folks!
well… Instant gratification won!!
My dad and I jumped in the car and stopped to Ohio. We came home with a 1983 Goldwing Aspencade With a hitchhiker sidecar! I was driven around the block in the sidecar and I loved it!
It is a nice looking motorcycle, but it has a lot of extra stuff that I wasn’t looking for. It has a huge fairing with a radio, too hard saddlebags and a trunk. I can take the trunk part off, though that’s more like a giant metal suitcase.
I kind of jumped at getting this bike because I really wanted something for this season, this year to ride-around with my dad🩷 down the road, I’ll probably change it for something a little more stripped down and lighter looking. That being said I haven’t even gotten it off the trailer to try it yet, it’s been raining for three days here and I have it under tarps. So after driving it, I might fall in love with this particular model anyway, I’m excited to try it tomorrow should be the day that the rain stops here. I bought a trailer from The owner of the motorcycle, So that I could take it home. It’s And 8 foot wide 8.6 foot long tilt trailer. So my first adventure will be the scary task of getting it off the trailer after that it should all be fun.!!!
I wanted to thank you all for your helpful suggestions and if I could figure out how to send a photo attachment of my new rig, I will send it. But I am super excited for this next phase of Adventures for me and my dad! We plan on packing thermoses of coffee and driving out to beautiful areas for coffee Every day that We can!!!!
I’m going to join the club and hopefully meet up with some nice folks at some rallies!
Kathleen
Ooh! I somehow made a sticker of the bike. This is the actual bike, although I hit some button and it turned a little bit darker than it really is. It’s silver with black.
Here is the side that has no sidecar.
i’ll try to get better pictures up, I just somehow made these stickers in my emoji app.
Ha ha ha ha computers are not my thing as you can see!
Saddle up and do some (dozens) turns in an empty parking lot at varying speeds. You’ll thank us later when you experience the car taking flight in a too-fast, too-tight right hander.
After that get out on the road and enjoy the slower pace of sidecar life.
Illegitemi non carborundum est!
Congratulations. I saw the advert for this rig, and thought "What a nice setup someone is going to get!"
If you and your dad can make the National rally in Topsham Maine this year, you two will have an awesome time. With the tilt trailer, you can enjoy a beautiful drive out, and then a whole lot of amazing area to explore on the rig.
Hold my keyboard and watch this! 🙃
Well done.
A neat looking rig.
Looks to be an excellent start to side-caring.
I like it that you picked a good starter and get some experience in before trying to work your ideal rig.
Who knows you may love this one warts and all.
Note we all would like to change something about our current rigs.
Kathleen, congratulations on getting your first Sidecar rig, and you really scored getting a 1983 Goldwing 1100. I am the unofficial Goldwing guru here, and with no hesitation I can say that the 1983 Goldwing is my #1 choice of Goldwings made from 1977 - 1990.
The 1983 Wing 1100 is an improvement over the 1981 and 1982 Wing 1100's, primarily due to the smaller diameter yet wider front wheel and tire, and those mag wheels.
Forget about that antiquated radio. If you decide to keep this Sidecar rig for a long time, remove that antiquated radio, then use that space in the fairing for storage.
Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about this bike.
I hope that you and your Dad get much enjoyment and time together with this Sidecar rig.
Miles
Two Million Mile Rider...All 7 Continents
Exploring the World in Comfort
@kfedor Looks like a good choice to me... you can't really wear one of those things out! It should provide a lot of fun and good times for as long as you want it to!
@thane-lewis Thane, what is this "slower" that you speak of?
One cannot deny the reality of the “Sidecar Delay Factor” that is always present at any sort of stop whilst operating a rig.
Illegitemi non carborundum est!
Thank you all for your giving such positive feedback as to my Goldwing impulse buy! That really made me feel a lot less anxious about making such a purchase without having done the research. My Dad’s 90th birthday is in 3 days- I bought a bunch of picnic gear and coffee thermos’s- and a mug with a sidecar! After a lot of upcoming parking lot practicing- we’ll be out for our picnic rides!
