Hello all. I was told that this is _the_ site to learn about sidecars, and from what I've seen I was told correctly!
I'm toying with the idea for two (probably common) reasons: 1) I ain't getting any younger (57 y.o.), although I can still flog my 1200 Sportster around these hills as well as any youngster. But I want to be prepared for the day when I can't. and..2) My wife has so far resisted riding with me...she's just plain scared. I'm thinking that maybe if I can coax her into a few nice easy rides in the countryside in a hack she would be willing to join me in my main passion. As it is now she is somewhat of a biking widow (if you'll excuse the grim implication).
Can anybody point me to good sidecar models for my bike? It's a '92 1200 XL - I also have a project '89 883/1200 XL but I havent't decided what to do with it yet.
Also, is it feasible to "build-yer-own"? I'm good at following plans etc. and have all the time I need to do such...I'm in no hurry and would want to do it right, not to mention the possibility of saving money to boot. I'm a so-so welder but of course would improve that for such a project, and I have laid up fiberglass before. But, I haven't run across any actual plans for building a hack, online. I know setup is critical so I don't want to waste time and skin and bones doing my own test flights, so to speak.
Any help or comments will be appreciated.
Mike
First question is how big is your wife?That would give me information on how big of a car you will need. Will have some work with then
Thanks Ron.
How big? Hmmm...well, she's not tiny...about 5'7" and say 145 pounds that she'll admit to, I do believe. Not _large_, but pleasantly broad in the beam but narrow in the waist, if ya know what I mean. Dang, you're going to make me sneak up behind her with a tape measure, arent you? 😎
Just guessing right now, but a 22" opening would probably get her in there, 24" would be more comfortable.
Hey Mike, where in central PA? I live in Centre Co., Claude Stanley in Union Co.He can "Hook you up," let us know!!, Doc.
Originally written by David on 9/30/2007 5:11 PM
Hey Mike, where in central PA? I live in Centre Co., Claude Stanley in Union Co.He can "Hook you up," let us know!!, Doc.
Doc I am in Snyder County ... the bridge when you leave greater downtown Penns Creek is the dividing line. Sorry I missed you at the shop the other day...come on down.
Yeah Mike, I see you are in Halifax. ..I sent you an email.
Might even need some polishing done at some point. Lets get togther.
Hi Dave. I'm about 30 miles north of Harrisburg...guess I shoulda said southcentral PA. I'm just exploring right now...thinking about taking the '89 and putting it in a rigid frame and making a replica WLA with sidehack as a tribute to my Pappy (that's him in 1942 in the attached pic), or just putting a hack on the '92 - not sure what I wanna do yet. But thanks for the reply. Watch this space while I make up my mind, lol...
Yeah Mike, I see you are in Halifax. ..I sent you an email.
Might even need some polishing done at some point. Lets get togther.
Answered your email Claude...that's real convenient, like you say maybe we can do some bizness. I really wanna get my wife riding with me a bit now...life's too short, ain't it?
Back to the car, I think a Spider or Velorex or maby a Trans Moto would work for you .Tou don't want to put to big fo car on a Sporty
Originally written by Ron Campbell on 9/30/2007 6:00 PM
Back to the car, I think a Spider or Velorex or maby a Trans Moto would work for you .Tou don't want to put to big fo car on a Sporty
OK thanks Ron, I'll keep that in mind as I progress thru the process...
A Spyder would be perfection.
Yup...for your ride...a spyder..Ed
Hi
I have an 883 Sportster with a sidecar. I have a Liberty car, called a "Sporty", which was made specifically for a Sportster bike. You can see a picture on the album page under "Sporty Sportster" It's light and comfortable, and really well made. I put a windshield on it. About steering, I put 3" pull back risers and a 36" bar on it without having to change any cables, and I don't have any problem with steering effort. It's not great with the stock bars, I was considering raked triple trees until I did the change, now I don't need them.
They don't make the Sporty model new anymore, and I don't know who'd have one to sell used, but I'd say it's a great choice for your bike.
I got a sidecar because my wife wouldn't ride two up, and she now loves going places in the sidecar. We put 6000 miles on it last year -
Good luck to you
Peter
