What If

More of these?

Which would be great, because I really want one.

Hi Guys,

Interesting---I could see "sports" chairs like the illustrated one, but I could also see a return to the attitude of the 1920's and 30's, when a combination was an economically viable alternative to a more expensive car. Moderately-sized bikes geared for a top speed of 65 mph, and a "family" chair, perhaps enclosed as some of them were before WWII. Perhaps that, in turn, could lead to a modern version of the Ford Model "T", and point us to a vehicle that is economical to run, and inexpensive to buy.

See? Sidecars can save the World! It's all up to us.....

Hi Barb i can see where this is going, you want somewhere to put the portaloo.

Barb's vision is more likely than mine. But if sidecars did become mainstream, and produced en masse, just imagine what the Industry might dream up...

I gotta tell ya I have had a lot of calls on my Ural Tourist that I just sold. I actually had three people waiting in line wanting to buy it if the first guy backed out, so it seems like there is a demand.

Fortunatly sidecaring will never catch on enmass. Why? because it take's a special type of person to ride a rig year in year out. The majority of people hav'nt got patience to aquire the skill's needed to move down the road on a rig (heck they could'nt go in a straight line). Would'nt be the same if every Tom, Dick and Harry had a rig.

Any monkey can ride a motorbike or drive a car, but only a monkey's monkey can ride an outfit.

Do I want anti-lock brake's, fly by wire handling etc? Nooo thankyou, I want to keep all of that to my sense's to sort out. The type of sense's that I've honed for 30 odd year's and still learning (perhap's the odd mistake!). That's the mysteque that keep's me addicted.

By the way did'nt Peugout once make a motorbike and sidecar not so long ago?

You know the saying - When I get too old for this sidecaring, I'll think about riding the solo more.

Now then pass me that 2x2 so I can set this toe-in.
Safe riding Karl.

Hi Guys,

Tail-fins and a "loo"...does it get any better?

(Quick reality check...) Actually, I am somewhat torn--I have this almost missionary attitude about telling people about the boundless wonders of three wheels, but at the same time I agree that there is a charming element of "elite" in being one of the (ahem) "chosen Few".

At the Oyster Run last month, there were about 30,000 motorcycles, and the sidecars I saw could be counted on two hands.....regular hands, not those six-fingered ones.

I really like both the older "sedan" style of chair, and the '57 Chevy style of the one on the Harley, although it would be out of place on, for example, my bike. That's one of the neat things about sidecars--they can be anything! Think about it: you have rice-rockets, cruisers, bobbers/choppers, semi-antiques (like mine..)---but with sidecars, the sky is the limit! Anyone who can breathe fiberglass for a few hours can build a body to whatever specification they choose! I've actually thought of having a "Summer" and a "Winter" chair body for my bike!

(Another reality check) I'll probably stick with the original body......

So, I guess it's all good. But we should at least have our own lane on the freeways....8^)

i think the appeal for me is that the skill has not been watered down by technology as it has with car driving, when i think my grandfather would be perfectly at home on a modern rig where as a modern car would probably scare him to death, also it seems to me that the more they 'improve' the handling & braking on a vehicle the faster you need to drive to get a buzz,i can cruise my rig at 55 mph for hours with a grin from ear to ear. ( full face helmet required ) dont want to show people how much fun i'm having. lol
Hank PS Better picture for Barb

HMMM...CAN WE GO TO "SIDECARS-R-US"?

Thanks, Hank! Nice picture, and that's the idea--something the kids can stay dry in, while the rider gets to enjoy the weather. (Although that chair back in the rear of the picture looks pretty good, too.)

So, if we build on that idea, and make it light and able to be towed by a small bike (for around town) we can hope to someday achieve the level of mobility currently enjoyed in Southeast Asia, right? Hmmm....never mind. I guess I like my sport chair, after all.....

On the other hand, has anyone come up with a heat-transfer method like on a 914 Porsche or an air-cooled VW? Heat in an enclosed sidecar would be nice...

Just adding to the post count...

In the 50's I had a German Army R 75 with sidecar for Russia.The exhaust
was led through the sidecar as footwarmer.Hot stuff during summer.
Gary

It is all a question of distillation and time.
The hot heads cannot wait enough get on way too big bikes for their skill and age and kill themselves fast.
(I had to help 2(+1(+1 1/2)) over to the other side of Hades River)
The youngest rig pushers you find are about 23, because of reasons like kids to raise, poor student with lack of money, fibre to drive in winter too, or loss of a body part that doesn't permit solo riding.
Then you get a run in the 40tees and 60tees already with the concern of illnesses or risk limiting. And fellows under us who continue pushing their rig until high ages because it it is their youth possion.(it is already now at 44 a "Time Machine" for me too)

But as you see it seems like the most important ingredient for to become a rig pusher is something that you do not find in Otto Normalverbraucher: "a vivid mind, high developed individualism and lust for challenge yourself without minding about other peoples opinion!"

So never mind the posted "what if" Hypothesis will not become a mode, and rigs will not receive a rush. As long it stays like that, the federal law makers hopefully will not catch an eye on us, so that we can continue riding "Individual rigs made for unique individuals."
Even every off the shelf cheap Jawa350/Velorex560 like mine that is (better said: would be in flat country sides!) a real economical solution to ride on three wheels is and drives way different from the same make and brand then any other. It has personality!

And in certain manner Indonesia/India/China show the "what if" effect that we had in Germany in the 30/-/50/60ees. As more money people get they skip again rigs and run to bigger cars and the rigs disappeared again, but the very few leathernecks and wind faces kept the banner tall up and were the opinion makers late 70/80/?/00 in the new run on bikes and (again only 2-3%) on rigs.
----

Heating: in Europe you find many people running a hose from their water cooling or a double piped muffler with a flap into the side car, but only from Aussieland and US I heard from AC wishes.
---

Winch/fairing/trailer/reverse/Dingy/Nitro-laugh gas- turbo booster/ sleight-ski pulling/ mud-snow chains ...
There is a non ending list of modifications "unseen" riding on our worlds roads....And that is good so!

Regards
Sven

PS: Personality (Perhaps that is the reason why once beadles were so popular. They were from the shelf, but had very individual personalities! At least mine had every day a different mood (from crazy (53)Herby to -13ºC ice freezer on 3 pots))

Barb, I just came across this on ADVRider, and noticed it came pretty close to your 'family' outfit:

This is mine, by the way:

cheers~

Dang it Bill you have me drooling over that Gootzie again!