Texas Sidacar labor rate:
Jim,
To help with your decision, we also sell at the pricing given by Champion on their web site.
Our labor charges for sidecars purchased from us is as follows:
Basic installation: $500
Brake: $100
Lighting: $50
TILT: $125
Dampener: No charge.
Jim,
I am no expert when it comes to purchasing and installing sidecars, but like you said the California Sidecar and the Champion are very similar. I checked the prices on the California Sidecar website for the Friendship II, its base price is $4695 and for the Friendship III, it's base price is $4895. I know that you could put a lot of money in all of the options, but why almost twice the price? I have a Friendship II and I can't believe that Champions sidecar would be much different as far as the ease of getting in and out are concerned.
I don't have any fancy options like electric lean and my bike (1500 Goldwing) has not been modified in any way. If photos would help, I would be happy to take some of my sidecar for you. Getting in the sidecar is pretty easy, just step up. I think the hardest part is sitting down on such a low seat. My sidecar is far from new and the newer ones' seats are probably nicer and maybe a bit higher. Having a higher seat would be the only thing that would make getting in and out easier, unless the seat actually lifted you up.
Connie
Connie,
The disc brakes and electric lean options are over 100-.00 alone, then add the EZ Steer and it's over 3000.00, I am attaching the actual work sheet for the Champion sidecar, it's a bit over 9000.00! I have since talked to Perrt's Motorcycles in Fort Worth Texas and he has suggested the Spalding Sidecar, it's larger then both the Calif and Champion and he siad since I am mounting it on a HArley it would be perfect, he's been installing cars for 30 years! I'm not dead set on the Spaldin yet, Perry is working up my wish list and we'll go from there. I can hardly wait. Thursday was Shannon and I 16 year anniversry, I was off work so we went to meet Perry and see his work, He knows what he's doing and actually has two Harleys in there right now installing cars on, one of them is getting a Spider car, I'm not sure about the other one. Anyway here is the Champion wish list:
Sidecar: Escort
Base Price
Base Price - 2600 RH (black upholstery standard) $4,995.00
Packaging and Crating for surface shipment in the U.S. (not required for pickup at factory) $179.00
Accessories
Brakes, integrated disc system (no brake on Base Price kit) $575.00
Convertible top, black $295.00
Custom dress struts (2), chrome $195.00
Entry/exit step, folding $90.00
* EZ-Steer (Harley-Davidson FLH and Softail) $1,095.00
Hide-a-Hitch trailer towing package, chrome $90.00
Seat (lap) belts $40.00
Steering damper, chrome $195.00
T.I.L.T. (Tracking Increment Leanout Technology) $575.00
Tinted windshield $85.00
Paints
Color match, single tone (requires painted bike part) $675.00
Total Cost: $9,084.00
* - Most Popular Escort Sidecar Accessories
Connie,
I would love to see some pictures of your sidecar, would really be helpfull to see someone getting in. Did you happen to check out the Spalding Side website? The sidecar looks very roomy, however I haven't seen one of these either in person.
I've been watching this thread but just offhand I'd say that Texas Sidecars' response, while abrupt, should have been anticipated. I can't think of a single dealer that I've ever dealt with that appreciated spending time selling a product only to have the customer buy it elsewhere and want them to install it. Even car mechanics often refuse to install customer supplied parts.
My ride is a Ural Patrol and I've already talked to the dealer it's coming from about installations for accessories but the parts I can get through him I will and in return he's okay with installing my parts as well.
That's pretty much the way it always works but usually in not quite such an abrupt manner. If the dealer has that sort of attitude I'd be loath to let him install it anyway. I'd never quite trust it. That's always something to think about.
10 dollars or a thousand dollars, it works the same way.
Tomcat,
That's my thoughts exactly, I wouldn't even let him look at my bike after doing what he did to me. I'm so glad I found Perry's Motorcycle & Sidecars, he has no problem at all installing someone elses sidecar, he designs his own but knows as any "good" dealer should all bikes and all sidecars are not compatible with each other. I'm new but have already learned and heard from several sources, about the things to watch for and avoid when picking a sidecar, one for a Goldwing might be great but not worth a crap on a Harley. I have also learned everyone has an opinion, and I do respect that as well. Iwant my rig to be exactly what I want and one that will meet my special requirements, and at the present time I believe it's the Spalding Side. Thanks
Jim
Jim,
I promise to work on those photos as soon as possible! I'm having an incredibly business few days, I'm sorry.
I did take a look at the Spalding sidecar. It's a nice looking sidecar. If it was the seat that lifted instead of the body of the sidecar, I'd say it was perfection for someone with your needs. I don't understand the reason for the body lifting. Neither do I understand the reason for that high price tag.
I have to admit that I have never piloted a Harley, with or without a sidecar. But unless there is some great problem that I just have no knowledge of, I can't see the true need for electric lean or any of that other stuff. I've been driving a rig for 11 years and lots of miles without any of that stuff. Couldn't you try a rig for awhile and add that later if you felt the need? I know that's what I would do! I don't know how humble it is, but that is my opinion.
Connie
Connie,
I'm not sure why the Spalding shows a picture lifting the back up like that either, unless to show the type of suspension. You ain't kidding about the seat, if it did lift raise up that would be perect! Perry the guy working me up a price list as well as Roger Spalding both say you don't need all that fancy stuff either. I think the reason for the cost of the Spalding is because the price included the disc brake, and installation. Roger Spalding is very sure of his product, but then again what manufacturer wouldn't be? That's why I am wanting Perry to perform the install, he and Roger are personal friends and Perry is about 110 miles closer. They have both worked together in the past installing cars so I know they work well together,LOL. Wish I could see and try all sidescars before picking one, but that would be impossible.Yes like you said, some of those options could be added later, like the EZ Steer, they have all told me once you install that you can't ride the bike without a sidear mounted! I do have more than one bike but I really don't think I want to do that (unless it's needed) plus that's the $2000.00 option with installation!!Both Roger and Perry said I may or may not need that, and we could do it after the car is installed. Champion says it makes the difference like between power and manual steering. All the trike kit companies offer it for trike conversions as well.Hope you get caught up with you business and can relax,today is Sunday. Thanks Connie.
Jim
Jim,
I have those photos, check your personal messages.
Connie
Connie,
I just logged in and I have no messages in my inbox.I'll give you my email address if that's an acceptable practice on the site.
Thanks, Jim
Jim,
Maybe I did that backwards! Check your messages again. I just finished posting that message.
Connie
Hi Connie,
I did get them and sent you a message as well. The pictures are super! They show exactly what I needed to see. A tilting front sidecar is the way we have to go. Thank you very much for sending the pictures.
Jim
Been looking at the comments.
I have a Hannigan Classic on a 1500 Kawa Drifter.
Have the tilt equipment, raises and lowers the side car which tilts the bike to go down the road hands off.
Have brakes on side car linked with bike foot brake.
Custom paint matched to bike.
Installed on bike.
Ran about 6,500. could send a print out of invoice if you like.
I remove the car on occasions. Four hitch points, plug in powere and quick disconnect brake line. Takes about 10 min. CAn ride the bike with out car, nothing has been changed on the bike. Getting in and out of the hack is no problem. Top lifts up, sit on the fender and slip in. My wife is 76, as am I and she has some physical problems but she is in with ease. Comfortable and a good ride. I guess what I am saying is that Hannigan did well with me. They have a good staff and have been in the business a long time. Sell only what they mfg intheir own factory in Ky.They also do Trikes. They designed a new sidecar trike, different. I am not blown away by it but to each his own. Their usual Trike conversion is really nice, has swing arm running gear tht really smooths out the ride.
Vern
Hi Vern,
It's been two months since that thread was posted, I have since had my bike fitted with a very customized Ural sidecar. It is metal so the modifications were much easier than a plastic hack would have been. I have put pictures of it in a album on this site if you'd like to see my rig. Thanks for your comments.
Jim
