New Sidecar

Cant wait , sounds like an awesome combination.

floridaboy - 2/3/2016 2:11 PM

Hi every one after a long wait i was able to get Johnny Sweet to build and install a sidecar on my Road Star. I will try to load some pictures from photobucket: http://s356.photobucket.com/user/floridaboy/library/

Good looking rig, indeed:

Beautiful rig! Enjoy!

Fine looking outfit!

I have had a chance to do some riding with the new rig. I am still learning to handle it but with time i think i will be able to master it. Johnny was a great builder to do business with. When i went up to pick up the rig he spent some time with me to show me how to handle the rig. I was able to see his operation and many different sidecars he builds on different bikes. All i can say is he is a master builder of the highest quality.

Rig looks great! Johnny builds a great rig. Like you I'm getting used to a new rig. I have over 2,000 mi.. on it but still careful in the curves. I judge my progress by how well I can hang with the 2 wheelers. So far so good. It also forces me to sharpen my skills. Keep riding, ride safe, ride hard!

Don't worry about hanging with the two wheelers. It can be very dangerous going beyond your capabilities. Some have died trying.
Let good sense be your guide.

Lonnie

Great looking setup. Mr . sweet is building a classic for me in April . I hope it lookes as good as yours when completed. Is the step in get in and out standard or did you have him add it on ?
I can't wait for the phone call letting me know that I'm next on the build list. I hope l'm riding in late April.
Do you have any advice for a newbe ?

Great looking rig. Be safe.
TomM

I asked Johnny to add the step so it would be easy for the wife to get in and out. As far as advice for a new rider i will tell you what Johnny told me and that is to take your time and learn in a area were you can go slow and work up to being able to handle the rig. Johnny will take time and show you what you need to know. He has a drive way and open area to give you some instruction on what to do and not do. Good luck and enjoy your new rig when you get.

Neat looking rig Florida Boy! I really like the big push rod tubes on that motor.

Here is a good tip for a technique that works great: in right hand turns at road speed, use a finger or two of front brake pressure while rolling on the throttle. Gas it. This action somehow makes the sidecar wheel stick down to the road. Practice this off road to see how it feels. I have gotten fairly confidant with it, and the heady rush of going at the speed limit around right handers with oncoming traffic is exhilarating. I am thinking of a stretch of road that I run from the vicinity of Cannon Mountain in New Hampshire north on route 3 toward the town of Twin Mountain down past Mt. Garfield . The speed limit is 50 MPH, and without using the front brake/throttle trick I feel the need to slow down motoring through the tight right hand sweepers. Using the technique I can hold the speed limit but it takes a steely eyed concentration and definitely being all in the moment. I have been sidecarring for close to 40 years and have known about this trick for decades. It is far easier to just slow down to a comfortable speed for right turns, but knowing about the trick fascinates my mind to use it to advantage. After all, we have all chosen what amounts to something like a carnival ride as our transportation, so just having the trick in our awareness is a good thing. To practice it takes determination.

Thank you for your tip about the right turns at speed. This is my first sidecar rig and i am learning all the ends and outs. I have had many bikes over the years and i have to say this is a all new ballpark. I have enjoyed all the looks i have been getting from everyone. Were i am at you don't see sidecar rigs just trikes.