Hi!
We just purchased a 1985 Honda GL1200L and we're looking for a sidecar for it for our five year-old to ride in--the more budget friendly, the better! What would all of you suggest?
Also, we're considering building a trailer from a cartop carrier to haul our camping gear along. How does riding a bike with a sidecar and pulling a trailer work out? Can it be done safely? What happens to mileage and, well, ride quality, I guess?
Thanks!
Lori
Des Moines, Iowa
I just completed my search for an inexpensive sidecar so....
If you like the traditional look I just bought a Chang Jaing on E-bay from a guy named Jerry in CA. The sidecar is completely reconditioned and the whole package including shipping from CA to Maine cost just under $2K . Only downside Is no sidecar brake
There are also Dnepr and or Ural sidecars on e-bay that would cost you about the same for the basic Chang Jaing tub but that guy adds everything on top of the base price, like tonneau cover, spare wheel etc. Dnepr and Urals have sidecar brakes.
Velorex is less traditional in look . you might find some listed here, or on E-bay, Craigs List, or here..... http://www.russianiron.com/ironforums.htm.....or here http://sovietsteeds.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=10&sid=d4ce93306ff4f5c61c4d4224b86913d2
As to the second part of the question... As Schultz said on Hogans Hero's " I KNOW NOTHING"
Bigger is better. We had a GL1200 with a HitchHiker when my son was that age.
In retrospect, I would buy a heavier car, like a Ural or Dnepr for it.
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As far as a trailer, we pulled a Time Out Camper which is a huge trailer. Under normal circumstances you won't know it's back there, but get used to the sidecar first. Once you feel comfortable with it you can add the trailer. You'll find the trailer works best if the hitch is positioned between the bike and sidecar and not directly behind the bike.
My current ride has two hitches, one for when the sidecar is attached and one for those times that I ride on two wheels.
The important thing to remember is that the rig must be properly balanced. The sidecar, under full load must weigh at least 1/3 as much as the loaded bike. In our case, my wife rode in the sidecar most of the time and my son on the bike with me.
