I'd like to introduce everyone to the latest addition to our family, "Sir George of Grey County". He's a 1yr old three-legged bulldog we brought from a rescue home, where's he's lived for the past 6 months after having been surrendered by his original owners. He apparently broke his left rear leg in a fall and, after three failed surgeries to try and fix it, had to have it amputated. Other than the missing limb, he appears to be in fine form and is VERY full of character.
He will start his apprenticeship on Tuesday as the Official oVc Shop Dog, where he'll learn all about motorcycles and be schooled in the art of sidecar ballast. Come the spring, he'll be introduced to his comfy perch in the chair on my Road Glide and his three-wheeled adventures will begin.
Outstanding . 🙂
Hi George 
Gummi, please keep us informed of George's progress in his apprenticeship -- with pics!! 
You might consider removing the seat so George can have flatter sitting platform. For Maddie, I made a plywood replacement for the seat: The floor attaches with the 2 seat bolts with a back hinged for access to the trunk, all covered with black "trunk" carpet. Her safety chain is anchored to the bottom sheet of plywood. I also placed one of those anti-fatigue foam shop mats on top of the plywood with a hole for the chain to pass to give Maddie some extra grip plus isolation from the Sportster's non-stop vibrations. Maddie sits a little taller than George -- here's a pic:
Lee
MB5+TW200+CRF250L+GTV300+INT650
XL883R w/Texas Ranger Sidecar
Zuma 50F + Burgman w/Texas Sidecar<Mrs. SwampFox
Lee, I was initially thinking about removing the seat, but it leaves the trunk area open and negates the use of a harness. I am now planning to get a lap belt and bolt it to the frame, then clip the harness to it the same way I do when in the car. It would be easier to leave the seat in, although the lack of an anchor to stop it from pivoting forward would need to be addressed. I'm not sure if the lap belt would suffice for this purpose. I also have to build a small, folding ramp that hooks on the sidestep so George can have an easier time of it getting in and out of the hack.
I hope you are using an English sidecar. What a lucky dog, he doesn't even have to hike his leg at a fire hydrant.
🙂 Beautiful dog!!!!Great ballast and companion. You only need 3 wheels, he only needs 3 legs.
Bill D.
Sounds like "Sir George of Grey County" needs a nickname. I mean, you really can't say things to him like, "Sir George of Grey County, COME!" or "Sir George of Grey County, SIT!"
My vote, in honor of his 3 legs, is to just call him "Hack." 
Very cool! Only fitting a 3 legged dog ride in a 3 wheel vehicle. LOL
There is a certain symmetry about a 3-legged dog in a 3-wheeled rig, but his name will remain as is. Although "Hack" would have worked on many levels, as a rescue dog we decided to change his name to George because it was similar to his original name - something unpronounceable in Chinese that had "Gee" as the first syllable. He adapted to his new name very quickly; the "Sir" and "Of Grey County" were added to suit his comically regal bearing.
And it appears he has the makings of a good hack dog. He sat in his first sidecar the other day, a new Ural Tourist we have on the showroom floor...
Awesome.......and he cant run fast if he decides to bolt off some where.......(o;
Hello "Sir George of grey co." 🙂 Hope you get a chance to meet my minnie and molly of grays harbor real soon..
Good on you. As an old dog pro I would caution you to keep him from over heating. English Bull Dogs do have a breathing problem
in hot weather so take a jug or two of water with you and a bowl for him to drink from. You are to commended for rescuing Sir George.
I'd been cautioned about the Bulldog weaknesses by the lady at the rescue, so I'm a little concerned about him being in the sidecar on a hot August day. I'm thinking I might install a couple of adjustable vents to give some airflow through the tub at speed. My last two dogs were also prone to problems in severe heat, so there's always water bottles and a collapsible dish in the saddlebags. I'll keep a close eye on George and will have my air conditioned Buick on standby for the really hot days.
Air vents make sense to me. Since you have had heat problem experience with your previous two dogs you have the situation covered. George is a lucky dog and you are an excellent owner!!
Gummiente - 2/3/2013 10:35 AM
...on a hot August day.... I'll keep a close eye on George and will have my air conditioned Buick on standby for the really hot days.Good idea Gummi. During long hot humid summers down here in the gulf south, we generally have to limit rides to before 10:30am or after 7:00pm. Beware, the Texas Sidecar seat can tilt forward with George under quick stops. Here are a couple of pics our our modification described above to permit Maddie to sit lower in the sidecar plus have wider/flatter footing, as well as cover the trunk but yet have access:
Please post pics should you decide to install vent(s) in the sidecar.
Lee
MB5+TW200+CRF250L+GTV300+INT650
XL883R w/Texas Ranger Sidecar
Zuma 50F + Burgman w/Texas Sidecar<Mrs. SwampFox
