Hello All,
Over the last two years, I got into motorcycles and acquired two of them.
- 1983 Suzuki GS450GA (Suzukimatic)
- 1985 Moto Guzzi Cal 2 (Convert)
And currently on the hunt for a 1978 Honda CB750A (Hondamatic)
Wanted to ask for your opinions on what would be a good sidecar that would look well with either the Guzzi or Honda.
I'm going to check out a Spirit of America Eagle soon. Are those any good? Didn't know what the going price on those are or if there were better side car manufacturers out there.
Looking for something semi-period correct (even though the bikes are 7 years apart) with safety and comfort in mind.
Although I doubt I will be in the sidecar, I am 6'3" 230 lbs. Would be nice if I could fit the sidecar.
Sorry, very new at this so if there is info I am missing that may better help with potential suggestions, please let me know.
Thanks in advance.
-John
Welcome aboard. Don't have an answer on the car, but the Vert will make a great tug. You might get some good answers over here too.
http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=56
Here's my Vert.
Keith, what do You pull in that sidecar?
Ice cream or beer? It doesn't look like a toolbox to me.
The concrete mixer must be a good work horse. In the last 24 years around San José, Costa Rica, I have met only 3 Guzzies from V7 to an actual model.
John, aren't You affraid of overheating the CB750 in the dessert?
Myself I killed the aircooled Jawa-engine in our Cordilleras in Oktober.
Yesterday I got presented my new engine a watercooled Husquarna 4 stroker and hope that it will become a problem solving solution for the tropical high mountain range where I live and love to scrape serpentines.
For the CB750 a oil cooler will be a help as it was to me in Turkey and Greece.
The CB750 definetely will need a subframe for to protect Your bike's frame from twisting.
A sidecar break is something good to have, because I remember my CB650 that had even better breaks then the CB750 and for sure they weren't the best breaks I rode.
Do yourself a favour and read the manuals in the download section.
Sven from 10°N, 84°W
Spirit Eagle is a very light sidecar with lightweight frame and fittings last produced 30 years ago. Very limited parts availability.
Small narrow uncomfortable seat. Not the best choice for the Guzzi. OK for the 450.
Lonnie
Thanks for the help Lonnie. It was good talkin to ya. Will try to pick up the Spirit Eagle for the future Hondamatic and lookin for something that will work well with the Guzzi.
The Spirit Eagle would be fine on your Suzuki, It is a bit light for the CB750 or the Convert. We offer bike specific mounts for both bikes. My general manager runs a Convert. We also have for sale a CB750A that the head gasket started leaking oil about 7 or 8 years ago so we pulled the sidecar off of it and put it on a differnt bike. The bike is my sister in laws, we have had it stored in doors since we took the sidecar off. She will take most any reasonable offer for it. Our Kenna sidecar is our least expensive sidecar $3695 and it comes with bike specific NOT universal mounting hardware for either the CB750A Different mount then the non "A" due to the parking brake) or the Convert.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793
jay@dmcsidecars.com
If you need to stay with the Automatic the larger scooters also work well. We have mounts for the Honda Silverwing, Suzuki Burgman 650 and the new BMW C650GT. These bikes work great as sidecar bikes. Our Kenna also works great with these bikes.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793
Peter, The box is built from .120 anodized alum. scraps that were left over from commercial glass jobs. I just haul fullsize van battery in the back and gear or what ever in the front. I do have a seat for it too.
Slick a quick connect and out board motor or paddles and You can go fishing too.
Sorry that is not at all a offence. I myself got once washed into the deep when I was crossing a river, so some thoughts from the past flush up.
That day I had to dismantle the rig. push it over a hanging bridge and reassemble on the other side.
A self made sidecar for sure is an excellent option to get things done the way You want and aren´t bound to the ideas of somebody else.
I wish You all the best with Your boat.
Sven
Having owned a 750 A honda, I can say that it would be slow on acceleration but otherwise ok.
For the Guzzi, my first choice would be a Ural hack for both looks and usability.
Check out Swampfox photo album, his wife rides a Bergman with a Texas sidecar
http://www.sidecar.com/mbbs22/photos/show-album.asp?albumid=407&photoid=2470
