Seco Spalding Sidecars

A reputeable dealer would be willing to contact his customer and ask permission. I'd steer clear of somebody wanting to keep his work a secret.

Privacy protection regarding customers isn't unusual. I can't think of any companies just offhand that would give out customer contact information. No car dealer would do so so why expect it of any other company in similar instances?

The Spalding looks very similar to the Hannigan Classic. Have you looked at them yet?

Actually, up here a dealer is required by law to divulge the name and contact information of a vehicle's previous owner. I've never bought a car or bike from a dealer without talking to it's PO. When we lived in Kentucky, the information had to be prominently displayed on cars on the lot so a prospective buyer could check on a car before the salesman started his pitch.

Hi harrisr3: Please take a look at prior posts on this forum by Texan relating his experience with the Seco Spalding (favorable as I recall), including: http://www.sidecar.com/megabbs/thread-view.asp?threadid=4945

Also look for Texan's photos in the Albums. His email should be in his member profile.

Originally written by SidecarMike on 8/22/2008 7:32 AM

Actually, up here a dealer is required by law to divulge the name and contact information of a vehicle's previous owner. I've never bought a car or bike from a dealer without talking to it's PO. When we lived in Kentucky, the information had to be prominently displayed on cars on the lot so a prospective buyer could check on a car before the salesman started his pitch.

It's on the title anyway but that applies to previous owners rather than current owners. If you have the VIN you can track just about any vehicle.

Asking a dealer to divulge his current customer information is quite a different matter. Not many folks are going to respond well to an unknown caller asking questions about his vehicle. If you have the phone number then basically, you have the address where the bike is parked, who lives there and other information. It's like an invitation to steal for the morally impaired. It may be totally innocent but would you take that risk and answer questions about that on the phone with a total stranger? I wouldn't.

Frankly, the days when vehicles got traded at 20,000 miles are long gone. Every car on a used car lot is there for a reason, especially those on lower class lots. Beginner type bikes (250cc and under) get thrashed and usually won't show up in dealer's floors. Larger bikes in fine condition might show up as well as unique bikes. On those it's easy to copy the VIN and check it online. There's probably some interesting stories attached to some of those bikes.

Asking an accessory dealer (sidecars) for a list of customers that you can call to pester won't make any friends, either with the dealer or the poor sod you called during dinner. It might seem like a reasonable idea but it falls in the same classification as nuisance calls and telemarketers.

I agree with the lower class lots, but if I find a 2 year old Avalanche at the dealership I want it's history from someone other than a used car salesman. Likewise, if I need a new furnace or a new roof or a new mechanic, I ask for references.
My insurance company says Carfax is nearly useless in that it takes anywhere from 3 to 6 months for any information to appear.
Speaking of CarFax, here's an Insurance Databank for checking stolen or salvaged vehicles. And it's free!
https://www.nicb.org/cps/rde/xchg/nicb/hs.xsl/vincheck.html

We like to ask our customers if they are willing to be contacted as a reference by others. To just give out names and numbers oif anyone who has purchased a product from us does not seem fair to me. So far no one has said no but if they do we will not give out their info. Most time it seems people are more than happy to show off their new rig or whatever but it really should be their choice.

I have a SECO sidecar because my wife got run over by an old lady in a cage and cannot ride her bike anymore and SECO cars allow her to enjoy the outdoors. It sits low enough for her to get from a wheeled chair to the seat in the car. 🙂

Welcome to the forum Capitano. And sorry to hear about your wife's injuries. Glad you found a solution to keeping her in the breeze!

harrisr3 - 8/21/2008 1:22 PM

Does anybody know anything about Spalding sidecars? They look good and they're design would work for my wife, she's in a wheelchair and can't climb into a standard Harley sidecar. I e-mailed the owner and asked for references in Colorado but said he wouldn't give out names to protect their privacy. Seems like you could ask people if you could use them if someone asked. Well seems kind of fishy to me. I would appreciate any info, thanks.

You don't say what information you're looking for but my guess is that Lonnie Cook could answer your questions. He mounted the Spalding to the FXD that's now sitting in my garage. I love this rig. But I also love my FLH/Liberty. Options are good!

SidecarMike - 8/22/2008 9:43 PM. Speaking of CarFax, here's an Insurance Databank for checking stolen or salvaged vehicles. And it's free! https://www.nicb.org/cps/rde/xchg/nicb/hs.xsl/vincheck.html

Link no longer works.

We also do not give out customer information however posting places like sidecar.com and asking you should have no problem finding customers. We do make a production wheel chair sidecar and unlike some of the smaller sidecar companies around, we carry proper manufactures liability insurance.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793

I have a Spalding. My wife and I love it. She can't get on a bike because of arthritis. Tour's is easy get in and out of. Not sure, but I think Spalding may have gone out of business.