Hello folks and thanks for having me on this forum. As the title states I'm the proud owner of a hitchhiker sidecar. It's a 91 single seater and in great condition, just needs some TLC and paint to match my 82 Goldwing 1100.
I'm new to the world of hacking and will be needing a lot of information and suggestions.
What I'd like to find now is any one that has a link or copies of the Hitchhiker install and owners manuals.
Thanks again for having me.
The file attached below the photo is all you got when you bought a new one.
As a former HitchHiker/Goldwing owner, pay particular attention to your mounts. I used to bend them on aggressive left turns. I eventually moved it to a smaller bike. I know others here had good luck with the combination, though.
Thanks Mike, it's more than what I've started with. I saved it to my ever growing motorcycle folder.
That pic of you and yours is the first thing I found when I did a google for Hitchhikers. The one I just bought came off a 1200 also.
Gotta ask this also about the one you had. Did it have plastic windows that were removable or folded back when it wasn't raining?
It's needs a new top made as the current owner didn't get one with it either. Body and frame are in great shape and all the mounting hardware is there.
Gotta ask though, did you run the hack with the brake connected to the bike or not? This one was tied into the bikes rear M/C and the T-fitting with the quick disconnect line is still on the 1200 it came off of and he is selling the bike to some one else. They haven't picked it up from him yet and as I also know the buyer I'm gonna contact him to see if he'll let me have the T along with the quick disconnect fitting as he won't need it.
Originally written by Bagmaster on 8/20/2009 8:23 AM
Thanks Mike, it's more than what I've started with. I saved it to my ever growing motorcycle folder.
That pic of you and yours is the first thing I found when I did a google for Hitchhikers. The one I just bought came off a 1200 also.
Gotta ask this also about the one you had. Did it have plastic windows that were removable or folded back when it wasn't raining?
It's needs a new top made as the current owner didn't get one with it either. Body and frame are in great shape and all the mounting hardware is there.
Gotta ask though, did you run the hack with the brake connected to the bike or not? This one was tied into the bikes rear M/C and the T-fitting with the quick disconnect line is still on the 1200 it came off of and he is selling the bike to some one else. They haven't picked it up from him yet and as I also know the buyer I'm gonna contact him to see if he'll let me have the T along with the quick disconnect fitting as he won't need it.
Mine didn't have a top or top frame. The windshield was solid mounted, but I usually removed it unless I knew someone was going to ride with me.
Neither did it have a brake, but the Goldwing brakes were more than sufficient, even with my wife and son on board and pulling a Timeout camper.
do you have air shock suspension or torsion bar ? i have spec sheets, option lists and mounting instructions.
fly USCA midwest reg. director
82 suz gs850l/90 hitchhiker air shock
78 yam xs11/93 hitchhiker torsion bar
Don't know if it's an air shock or not but it does have a shock on it. Also has a car tire mounted on it and a better tire as a spare that I'll be putting on it. Since this is a single seater and it'll be empty most of the time I'm thinking I'd rather have a motorcycle rim and tire on it instead of the car tie setup.
I'll take any documents you have or can come up with, thanks.
give me a call 330-547-2141
fly
Let me see if I can get a pic in here of it for you guys.
Ok, it works! Got the pics in. Notice it even has a trailer hitch bar already on it so we'll see how it does with the trailer hooked to it and the bike to see which way will be better.
Here's the link to the rest of the pics of it.
http://s289.photobucket.com/albums/ll201/Bagmaster50/New%20Bike%20Shots/Hitchhiker%20sidecar/
Fly - 8/20/2009 9:18 PM
give me a call 330-547-2141
fly
Just to let you know. I haven't seen anything in the email or snail mail about those documents you were sending to me.
Ok, picked it Friday and brought it home. Been so busy with PGR missions that it's still in the back of the truck.
Got some friends coming over to help me unload it tomorrow. I'll take some pics of it tomorrow in and out of the truck.
It does have all the mounting hardware, nothing missing on the car or the mount point brackets that go on the bike. d
Does have some minor fiberglass damage to the front of the fender that wasn't there when I first went and looked at it and made the down payment on it. Looks like I need to call the seller and find out what happened to it.
A little bit of an update for you guys. It's now over at a friends has waiting for me to go over there and start mounting it. He has a paved level driveway and shop for setting the toe in, lean and trail.
It has both torsional suspension and a Progressive air shock on it. I plan to take the windshield off of it for an upcoming trip to PA.
Well, I still don't have it mounted yet. One of the lower mount pieces is bad and I have to find a replacement or have one fabricated. I've post in the wnated section for anyone that has this piece and don't need it any more to contact me.
Hello Mike. I just joined this forum because was getting back into side cars. I worked at Hitchhiker Sidecars from winter 1991 until the owner Paul's health prevented him from continuing the business. I'm not sure who or what happened after that. I'm thinking about working with sidecars again since we have shop and equipment to manufacture. Any way will help with any questions on Hitchhiker prods that we manufactured and installed. Just picked on you cause saw you were on line. The ol boy who did our paint match and etc. is still down the road doing his thing.
From what I hear the old molds and equipment got sold to some one in West Virginia but they never started the business back up.
Could you possibly remember what model or who made the wheel hub and brake assembly on the Hitchhikers? It's a drum brake setup and I'd love to switch it over to a disc setup with a handbrake.
Yes, we used Chrysler K-car (Reliant-etc.) hub and brake assemblys. We simply bought then at the junk yard in West Jeff and rebuilt them.
