I was wondering if there are kits w/ plans and/or blue prints for building/assembling sidecars. I have some friends that are welders and I've got a good handle on most things mechanical. I reckon it would make a nice winter to early spring project. I got an '03 Sportster (XL1200S) and would like to have the wheel match the front wheel on the bike. I reckon that the front bein larger than the rear would lower bearing speed. Anyway I am excited aboud sidecars because it will enable me to share the wonderful experience of motorcycling to my kids as well as my wife(although we have ridden two-up on several occassians.)
Thanks!!!
Chris
Side strider inc. Vans Nuys CA
Doug Bingham
Try the above website. It shows one of the kits that Doug had designed.
Thanks, I'll check it out.
I've been reading the sidecar manual that is on this site. Wow!! There's a lot of stuff to think about!! I'm leaning toward a detachable rig as I commute to work during the week and intend on riding the family on weekends. However I do not intend to go over 55-60mph on the highway if at all.
Best setup a solo for your commute and a separate sidecar rig for the family. The on again/off again idea is good in theory but slow in reality.
Sidecars will come off in a few minutes allright but then you have a "one legged cow" to deal with when it comes to remounting.
Even with a sidecar dolly most folks get tired of trying to do this after the first weekend.
Keep your solo separate for your peace of mind.
Lonnie
Plus the fact that you can modify the steering on your rig to perfect it for the sidecar but it wouldn't work well solo. And just hanging the sidecar on your solo bike would leave something to be desired steering-wise... In a lot of cases at any rate.
I agree with both Lonnie and Tom.
I have both and it gives you the best of both worlds.
Current post/threads have discussed the limitations of having a sidecar.
Hal was very clear to point out that we have to recognize and deal with these limitations.
It's paramount to build the best/safest rig possible.
There are enough affordable used bikes out there to have both, if your really need to go that route.
Chris,
I'd have to go with the group on this one also. As someone who also enjoys solo riding I was really tempted to try to just add a car to my HD ultra with the idea of pulling it off when I felt the two wheel urge, but the more I looked into it the less practical it became. And as Tom said, once you start with the basic setup, you will start making more and more mods to the rig to make it more comfortable, safer, ride better etc., and as you go along, the bike becomes less and less solo-friendly. Even if you don't think so now, trust me, you will. It's just one of those things that happen. A tire here, a triple tree there, maybe some brakes for the hack. Sort of like that potato chip commercial. Once you start, it's hard to stop 🙂 Keep the rig dedicated, and if you still want to ride 2 wheels get another bike. You'll be glad you did.
Joe
