Hi folks. I am strongly considering purchasing a Triumph Bonneville with which to replace my KLR 650. My dog rides on the KLR with me in a box on the pillion seat, but if I go the Bonneville route I am going to get a sidecar for it for the dog. This will also allow me to carry more luggage and a passenger also. Having read what I could find on the net about the various sidecars available, I am leaning toward a Texas standard. I don't need or want anything big and I like the looks of the Texas. They also have installed sidecars to numerous Bonnevilles. I do have a few questions I would be happy if you guys could answer though.
How long does it take to take on and off the sidecar? I don't mean installing the mountings, but just taking it off in day to day use. And also, is it possible to remove the windscreen? I think I would prefer the look without the screen, but for highway use I would like it on as it would save the dog from wearing doggles, which she hates.
Ok, thanks for your help guys. This site has been very helpful in learning about hacks.
-Jake
It varies a lot from sidecar to sidecar and from bike to bike. If you make sure all mounts are straight up and down, making all bolts horizontal., you'll find you can remove it in about ten minutes and reinstall in maybe twice that. The big thing is to get it down to a sequence that you do the same each time.
I start by raising the sidecar and placing a dolly under the tire.
This allows me to move it away from the bike at 90 degrees. Next I mount something under the left frame of the sidecar. It can be another dolly, or a set of home made casters. In the case of my current car, I got a set of these when I bought it.
Once these are clamped on, I unplug my wiring, pull the two top strut bolts, lean the bike over on it's sidestand, and pull the bottom two.
Now I can roll the sidecar straight away from the bike and roll it straight back in to the mounts without disturbing any adjustments. As an added plus, now I can roll it out of my way or move it around at will.
You'll probably find that as time goes on you won't remove it nearly as often as you think. When my son was small, I would mount it every Thursday after work. That allowed us to load up and leave for the campground when I got home Friday. Then on Sunday night I'd drop it for my daily commute. Then I started to leave it on for a day or two so I could haul groceries or tools or garage sale treasures. Pretty soon, I discovered that I prefer to ride with the sidecar. Now I only pull it off if I need to service the bike and want it up on my lift table.
Inexpensive moving dollies (Harbor Freight ?) are also easily placed under the sidecar for mobility and storage. The Texas sidecar windshields are easily removable.
Lonnie
Something else to consider Jake, if space in the garage and finances would allow is a second bike. One dedicated hack and one solo... Just a thought.
Amen to having two bikes. It dose't take over 15 min. max to get a Texas ranger off a HD Road glid. But when you use a sub-frame. You can't lean the bike very much to the rigth when ride with out the sidecar,when you leave the sub-frame on. So have another bike for solo rideing. That said my sub-fram for my Thriump America is going to be shipped today(trouble with power coating guy) boy am I ready for it. Now if the America has enouft power for Eletric coat and my be gloves. Rudy
Oh by the way I know Texas sidecar has a mounting kit for a reg. Triumph Bonneville like a T100. I've got a new kit in my cycle barn right now. Never used, will not fit a Triumph America. When I get my next new one I will be sending the other kit back. It's not a sub-frame model that I've got right now. Rudyr
Well I got my America sidecar bracket. I'm really upset but I will get over it once I go down the road with my sidecar. I'm not going to say any more. Just don't ask me at a ralley next year or you will hear the rest of the story. That said I really like the Texas sidecar. I don't think I will be able to send any bracket's back to Texas sidecar. Hot, Hot, Rudyr
Thanks for info on the Texas Side Car. I hope i made the right choice.Thanks again.
