Somewhere on this site I saw a sidecar that looked like a shrunk down 32 Ford hot rod body. It looked like a natural for a rumble seat.
Aha! found it.
Welcome to the slightly off-center world of sidecars, Lee!
That's my standard welcome to new forum members. Sidecars are great fun when they are - SLIGHTLY off-centered. Running two-up with an empty car is WAY off-centered to the point of being dangerous. If you want to ride 2-up, consider going 3-up instead with the heaviest passenger in the car. Or plan on ballasting the hell out of the car.
P.S. Don't make the mistake of TELLING the person in the car that they are, ballast! Wives, in particular, hate being equated to sandbags!
the HD manual says the sidecar has to have somebody in it before you can ride somebody on the back
and then if you have two passengers - the heaviest has to be in the hack
so if she won't ride in the hack - you have three choices
new girl
new bike
ride by yourself
the fourth of course is two girls.... but few can make that work
to
You might try what I did. At one time both my wife and I had our own Goldwings and she loved riding. Then because of a ankle injury and multiple surgeries she could no longer ride it. She tried riding behind me but it was too painful, especially getting on & off. I suggested a sidecar and she didn't like the ideal at all. But I did talk her into driving in the car to a sidecar rally being held not too far away. She got a few rides in few different rigs and found out how much fun it was and wanted one. Rest is history.
If you can find someone locally riding a similar rig like you want, maybe you can talk her into just a short ride in a parking lot, then if that's OK a short ride around the block. We take our dog with us a lot and she loves it.
Hey Phelonius, I just saw that same sidecar the other day down at Johnny Sweets shop!
Thanks for the additional info.
@bruce-- south kc near raytown
Bob Hunt - 2/8/2015 4:17 PM Hey Phelonius, I just saw that same sidecar the other day down at Johnny Sweets shop!
You have the good fortune to be close enough to vista there.
Yes, about an hours ride and his shop is a very interesting place and he is a very interesting man!
Progress is possibly being made on the home-front as a result of this thread.
The points about being able to show up at an event in a dress, and the possibility of her being able to take over at the helm if I became incapacitated seemed to catch her attention (she has a motorcycle endorsement, but has never ridden much of any). Also, the last time I tried this discussion, we didn't have the German Shepherd to take on rides. 🙂
I also mentioned Jay's suggestion of riding someplace to try a sidecar on a cold wet day, and then contrast that with a warm dry ride in a sidecar. Now she asks, "Well, are they hot in the summer? [as in hotter/more uncomfortable than just riding on the back normally] It seems to me the answer is probably no, but what does experience say? The bike is a 103ci twin-cam, with the built in blast furnace that is hottest on the right side...
Not totally sure if it is interest, or merely putting up with me rattling on, but maybe...
Lee
Actually, I've wondered about that engine heat consideration for the sidecar rider myself. I assume heat is drawn away while moving but what about when stopped for a time at idle? I also had a Linkert carb fire while starting and noticed that the affected area was directly across where the rider sat. It was a fluke (stuck float) but still something that could happen. I also notice that at least one manufacturer offers a removable floor "plug." Surrounding comments suggest that it is there to admit air into the sidecar rather than serve as some sort of drain. Opinions?.... or am I overthinking all this? - AZP
As far as heat is concerned, it also depends on your riding clothes. When my wife rode her own bike, we both would wear full riding suits & boots, which can get warm in the summer. Even mesh gear only helps so much. In the sidecar she now dresses much more comfortable, pants or shorts, regular foot wear, a jacket only if it is cold. Plus, she likes to drink plenty of water, which is easy to take with her along with snacks. If it is cooler outside, she wraps up in a sheepskin. She can read her kindle, play on her phone. On long trips she has even does needle point while riding, although this doesn't work if our dog is along. When doing needle point she claims it's easier to thread the needle in the sidecar that at home.
Lee, you've touched on a few points that you've made to try to convince her to ride in the hack, but what "excuses" has she given for her resistance?
my wife says its not hotter than riding on the bike - possibly cooler.
i still want a convertible top for my car.... no joy in 7 years of looking
what does happen is its too cold and that bothers her a lot - a top would get it used a lot more.
later
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You've heard a lot of folks with opinions and I guess this is mine. In business we hear a lot about "Best Practices". Because of the issue of weight distribution, Best Practice in this case is to have the passenger ride in the sidecar. Does the other way work? Yes, but you and your passenger need to be aware of the increased risk and accept it as well as compensate for it.
Sometimes you hear folks say "Ride Safe" as they are saying goodbye. In this case, "Ride Safe" also means the passenger should ride IN the sidecar.
Ride Safe,
timo482 - 2/10/2015 2:30 PM
my wife says its not hotter than riding on the bike - possibly cooler.
i still want a convertible top for my car.... no joy in 7 years of looking
what does happen is its too cold and that bothers her a lot - a top would get it used a lot more.
I sure agree with the top idea! Also, if your bike is water cooled, and you are handy at fabricating, welding, etc., you can pretty easily set up a heater in the car. With a fairly tight-fitting tonneau-cover to wrap around the passenger it can be quite cozy in cold weather!
