I joined USCA several months ago after deciding to start three-wheeling. When I decided to add a car to my bike and after reading the many very helpful posts here, I knew I was going to need all the help I could find. My reasons for hacking my bike are varied, but probably has more to do with my aged (worn out may be a better description) legs and back than anything else. On the advice of my flight surgeon and primary care physician, I had given up riding many years ago when I finally hung up my wings for the last time.
Fast-forward about ten to fifteen years now and as luck would have it, a close friend of mine, knowing that, in my younger days, I used to ride a Bonneville, brought his restored T-100 over to let me take it for a short outing. That short outing rekindled the biking fire and I thought to myself, I no longer need to ride long distances to once again enjoy the sport of riding; after all, a few short rides a week may well satisfy the riding urge. My friend also had a crotch rocket that he let me ride and I quickly discovered that my 72 year old reflexes weren't up to extracting the performance out of those wild machines. What I found was that if I didn't have to stop, I could probably ride all day (no doubt a bit of a stretch of the truth:)). But it did appear that the starting and stopping and constant raising and lowering of my leg(s) was where the problem lay, inducing mild to moderate leg and back spasms. Leisure riding on the open road, I did fine. However, working the bike at ultra slow speeds, a necessary skill for safely handling a bike, I believe, or having to stop and go as in heavy traffic, I find that I can last only about 30-45 minutes before I have to return home or pull over for a protracted rest stop. So, three-wheeling seemed like a logical choice for me.
I am a retired military/airline pilot. In the military I flew the 33 and 38 as an Instructor and I even got to fly the Beaver for about a year and a half for an Army Guard unit. In the airlines I flew 727, 707, DC-10 stateside, but mostly I flew International in the 747 from where I retired.
I really like the looks of retro styling. I suppose that is why I now tend towards older Indians and Harleys. When I started thinking about three instead of two wheels, I began looking at the options and I have to admit I was smitten by the retro-looks of a car made by Liberty and one made by Motorvation (Spyder). I saw pics of both of these hacks attached to a bike like the one I'm riding now, a 1997 Heritage Springer, and they both were very appealing to me.
I ended up ordering a Spyder from Motorvation and started rearranging my garage for the install. Yesterday I received a call from Mary at Motorvation informing me that my Spyder was about two weeks from completion and to expect delivery within a few days after that. So, I just wanted to give everyone here a heads-up that if, around Christmas time, you happen to hear extremely loud screams of anguish that appear to be coming from down Florida way, know that I've probably hit one of the many snags I'll probably run into during this adventure.
I hope that this short intro isn't too disjointed to make some sense from. I'm pretty excited about getting the car and starting (and completing) the install. I have always been in awe of people who have the ability to master the various art-forms. I certainly don't claim to be one of those so gifted; I do, however, listen and take advice well and I can turn a wrench without letting too much blood.
Hi.
Wellcome John in the sidecar pusher nitch.
You will see that with a rig you will get some of the third dimention feeling back...
Your butt-sensor will learn fast that there is a huge difference to 2 wheeling and it turned for most of us addictive to be out in the nature body building without to have to pay for it in a Gymn.
You get with a rig to the end of the tracks where others will have to throw the towel and can keep your boots on without a nurse bothering you.
http://www.sidecar.com/mbbs22/photos/show-album.asp?albumid=364&photoid=2117
I think you're going to be thrilled to death when you finally begin "driving" your rig. I'm just nine years behind you (turning 70 in May) and I find myself again thinking about getting rid of my Triumph T100 primarily because I enjoy riding the sidecar rig so much. The poor Triumph spends a good deal of time "sleeping" in the garage.
Ride safely
Hi John,
Great introduction and welcome to the third wheel sidecar world.
You will surprise yourself when you start driving your new sidecar rig because you arrive at this juncture with a life time of experiences. In your case probably more seat of the pants time in different seats than ninety nine point nine percent of the population. So driving a sidecar should come easy to you.
I can identify with you and your hiatus away from motorcycles as I was away from driving them for twenty five years. Although I did teach fifteen or so new students how to drive with a sidecar on my property but still I stayed away from the roadways. This last Summer I put two of my sidecars together and now every day provided we have good weather I'm out and about. Your correct about not having to take long trips because just driving in and around town can be a fun adventure even if it's just a trip to the market or chasing for parts for a project. Get ready for all the questions whenever you stop be it for gas or at the local convenience store.
Just follow the directions supplied with your new sidecar when installing it and take your time when taking it out for the first shake down run. No different than when you went out for that first solo flight. The sidecar set up is critical and like most things in life attention to the smallest detail is important. If you take care of the small details the big details will take care of themselves. I'm not telling you anything that you don't already know. As you've mentioned you have read many of the post so I would think that you have a basic understanding of what your getting yourself into.
Well have fun, be safe and seize the moment because there are no guarantees in life and the clock is always ticking.
Johnny sweet,
Sweet Sidecars
Welcome to the non symmetrical world! I think you will find it very rewarding and quite a journey. After racing and riding bikes since I was a teenager I guess I was looking for something different, and boy did I find it! Since I enjoy the wrenching and fabrication side of motorcycling as well as traveling I started reading everything I could find on attachment and adjustment. Much of this because I figured if I was travelling and had a problem the likelyhood of finding someone on the road that knew enough to help would be slim. Well 10 years and four rigs later I find myself going to garage and getting on my rig much more often than one of the two wheelers and as a plus my wife loves it! Best of luck! 🙂
Thank y'all for the replies, welcomes, good wishes and info. Since the day I heard from the factory that my hack was almost ready for shipping, time has really been dragging by, sort of like waiting for Christmas Eve by an expectant kid. Just how long can two weeks be?!!
It seems to me, that everyone who has entered the world of the sidecarist has found it to be not just another place where there is simply another form of recreation. The sidecar, it appears, adds an unexpected depth and new dimension to biking and one gains the opportunity to blend, in a very unique fashion, to a very unusual machine, beautiful in its own right in various ways. And one that comes with its very own set of "special rules" to which one must learn to adhere. The more I read about the sidecar, the more excited I get about completing mine, getting it on the road and starting to apply what I've been reading and hearing. I know, of course, like most things, you can read a multitude of books and articles describing in the most minute detail, what one is to expect given a certain set of circumstances and a given machine, but nothing ever quite captures the fullness or the essence of the actual experience. Every one of man's machines that I have had the opportunity to ride, drive, sail, fly or operate has had its own rewards, either in its performance or where it could take you or how it could take you there. I have never been disappointed in what those who had the ability to envision and then build gave me to enjoy.
Man, two weeks can seem like an eternity when you're waiting...
Just goes to show we are grown kids-may we never change. I have always heard a daddy (or granddaddy) is a grownup that did not forget how to play! Have fun!!!!!
Bill D
