Shipping a Sidecar Rig to Europe

Nice. RDL sorted.

Lift sorted.

We can butt out now.

I clearly need to visit you post haste! I'll email you... Sounds like some exciting times ahead.

Just posting a couple pictures of the bike with the completed Russell Day Long seat. When you assume that the bike and sidecar are 100% complete and ready to be shipped to Europe, another thing pops up, so.....next is adding the Electric Seat Lift from Hannigan, to make it easier for my Boss Monkey to get into and out of the sidecar.

To me, the RDL looks best on the Goldwing.  It just suits the bikes style, in my very subjective and opinionated view.  I'm surprised you didn't have them stitch in "Euro Miles". 

Also just noticed the black and red graphics, with matching graphics on the sidecar.  Very nicely done.  Such a good looking rig.  😎 

Certainly a minor departure from the "man in the grey flannel suit" (timeless and classy BTW) look of other rigs!

Looks like that rig is finally starting to come together!

Now all you need is the right helmet.  Since you've ridden all seven continents, how about this beauty from Schuberth?

FWIW I just acquired a Schuberth C3 in XXL (NOS).  It is slightly more snug than the Shoei Neotec (I) in XXL that it is replacing.  That said I don't find it uncomfortable but I have only had it on for 20 minutes at a time thus far.  I doubt the C5 current model is any more or less generous in sizing.

That lid needs an antenna..... er lightning rod.

Or perhaps one of these?

Okay, update as of December 7, 2024...........the entire motorcycle and sidecar rig are 100% completed from a mechanical perspective.

All that can be done, that needs to be done, that should be done...has been done.

Only things left to do is pack a few bags of riding clothes, helmets, boots, etc, then stuff it into the sidecar truck, as the motorcycle windshield inside a large cardboard box takes up most of the available space inside the sidecar cabin.

Sometime in very early January, less than  month from now, Haulbikes will contact me and say...git yer butt to the local Harley dealer parking lot, so we can load this sidecar rig into their truck, and haul it to Ocala, Florida, where I will be to pick it up, and drive it 100(ish) miles down to Orlando, and deliver it to Stefan Knopf, so he can ship it to Heidelberg, Germany. I will then be in Heidelberg in April, to receive it there.

Yes, I will take pictures.........

AND..................It's Off............to Florida, that is.

I fly down to Florida next month, go to the Haulbikes warehouse in Ocala, FL, pick up my sidecar rig, then drive it down to Orlando, FL, where I will hand it off to Stefan Knopf, and the overseas shippers, so it can then flat its' way to Antwerp, Belgium, then be trucked down to Heidelberg, Germany.

Been sweating the last few days, as this was scheduled (ha ha ha ha ha) to be picked up between January 1 and January 14. That came and went. With e-mails back and forth, it was decided that the truck would be here between the 15th and 17th, but....that the truck driver would CALL me a day in advance, to let me know he was in the area, and to get me ready to have the bike there.

No calls, nada, nuttin', zero, zilch.

Finally, as I am driving into town this morning to get some groceries, the truck driver calls me at 10:34 am, asking..."where are you ?"

We got it sorted out, and it was somewhat his fault, but the paperwork lead him to believe he could just drive up to the local Harley dealership, and the bike would be there waiting for him...even though it showed it was a HONDA w/Sidecar. After the Harley dealership told him they know nuttin' about anything....he finally called me, so...back to the house, dress up in my warmest riding gear (it's damn cold outside), and drive my sidecar rig (with NO windshield on the Goldwing) 25 miles up to the H-D dealer.

Truck driver was super cool, nice guy, and once he confirmed my WIDE sidecar rig would actually fit inside his truck/trailer, all was good.

I have him one piece of advice...no matter what the paperwork says, ALWAYS call the customer a day in advance, if for no other reason than to confirm the instructions are correct, but in this case it would have really soothed a lot of concerns.

Now, to bring my BattleWing Galactica into my shop, and get ready to remove the sidecar from the bike, so the local Honda dealer can do the recall on that darned bolt.

Next month, fly to Florida, hand off the sidecar rig to the overseas shipper, then fly from Florida to Frankfurt, Germany, to take possession of my newly bought Subaru XV/Crosstrek "mild-hybrid".

I like the blue painters tape used to help mitigate scratches during shipping.  The blue between the gray and black looks pretty good.

What is it with people afraid to make a phone call. lol  Glad you were in town!  

You picked the right person to get involved with shipping a side car - or motorcycle - to Europe - Stefan Knopf - I visited his complex over time and have always been impressed with his system. ----

Posted by: @miles-ladue

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AND..................It's Off............to Florida, that is.

Been sweating the last few days, as this was scheduled (ha ha ha ha ha) to be picked up between January 1 and January 14. That came and went. With e-mails back and forth, it was decided that the truck would be here between the 15th and 17th, but....that the truck driver would CALL me a day in advance, to let me know he was in the area, and to get me ready to have the bike there.

No calls, nada, nuttin', zero, zilch.

Finally, as I am driving into town this morning to get some groceries, the truck driver calls me at 10:34 am, asking..."where are you ?"

We got it sorted out, and it was somewhat his fault, but the paperwork lead him to believe he could just drive up to the local Harley dealership, and the bike would be there waiting for him...even though it showed it was a HONDA w/Sidecar. After the Harley dealership told him they know nuttin' about anything....he finally called me, so...back to the house, dress up in my warmest riding gear (it's damn cold outside), and drive my sidecar rig (with NO windshield on the Goldwing) 25 miles up to the H-D dealer.

Truck driver was super cool, nice guy, and once he confirmed my WIDE sidecar rig would actually fit inside his truck/trailer, all was good.

I have him one piece of advice...no matter what the paperwork says, ALWAYS call the customer a day in advance, if for no other reason than to confirm the instructions are correct, but in this case it would have really soothed a lot of concerns.

<snip>

The worst part about communication is the illusion that it has occurred. 

wow! if u would need help I am in Rome.