I am looking at an older (1983, I was told) model of a California Side Car. It is no longer in production. The dealer nearest me says no parts available. Would I have any options if I purchased the sidecar and down the road it needs repair or a part replaced? I know there are hacks older than this that are used often. Any suggestions/insights most appreciated!! Thanks. 🙂
fleebay
e-bay is a good place to start, you can always put out a wanted messages on the sidecar boards
or if you're a D.Y.I kinda person you can make the parts that you need, luckily i have access to a fab shop & welder at my job, and was able to make the few parts that i needed ( i had to make a couple custom mounts )
i have a 1977 Spirit of America Eagle ( if im not mistaken is a copy of the one of the body styles of calif. sidecar ? )
the only thing i know that is still avail. to buy new, is the windshield
http://picasaweb.google.com/hoovstar/SIDECARSAVANNAH?feat=flashslideshow#5459658854289996402
good luck with your project
Does it look like this?
I have an old CSC not really sure of the year.
Garry
Look arround and search by mouth, our specialista like Stanley, Lonnie and many others.
Or simply make newin a good machine shop.
Sven
Thanks for the suggestions! 🙂
To Garry..
The sides on the hack I am looking at are higher than the ones in your picture. What has been your experience in finding parts?
Hoovstar..
Yours looks similar to the one in Garry's picture.
VintageAmor - 4/25/2010 5:58 PM
Thanks for the suggestions! 🙂
To Garry..
The sides on the hack I am looking at are higher than the ones in your picture. What has been your experience in finding parts?Hoovstar..
Yours looks similar to the one in Garry's picture.
Hoovstar's body looks exactly like mine. I don't have a shock on my wheel though. I haven't had to find parts, If I did, I'd probably make them.
Garry
If it has no shock it is a torsional suspension. The older CSC cars used this. The Eagles used a tubular coil over shock.
If the torsion straps are broken they are made from the same stock as the early VW beetle front torsion straps. These are the replacements. Dauntless used to carry a brass replacement bushing for these units also (or a machine shop can easily make one).
Gustaffson plastics makes windshields. Some Truck stops carry replacement lights and lenses. Upholstery shops can repair or recover seats. What else have you got?
Lonnie
I've got an appreciation for everyone who knows so much and never hesitates to share what they know. 🙂
Thanks!
Don't forget to try Craigslist. My son found a Honda VF750F part there and his cycle's 26+ years old. It might help to post a want ad there.
My 2 cents. TTFN.....Old Tom aka papasmurf in NH 🙂
Your Welcome!
FYI: Some Velorex mounts will retrofit the Spirit Eagles and Eagle Spirit cars.
Lonnie
Hack'n - 4/25/2010 10:30 PM
If it has no shock it is a torsional suspension. The older CSC cars used this. The Eagles used a tubular coil over shock.
If the torsion straps are broken they are made from the same stock as the early VW beetle front torsion straps. These are the replacements. Dauntless used to carry a brass replacement bushing for these units also (or a machine shop can easily make one).
Gustaffson plastics makes windshields. Some Truck stops carry replacement lights and lenses. Upholstery shops can repair or recover seats. What else have you got?Lonnie
If it does have the torsion suspension please take it apart and check the torsion straps. If they fail you can lose the swingarm. This is not good for the ol' fun meter at all. The VW springs will work but from what I have seen they are a little too wide and will have to be ground down slightly. Maybe all are not this way I do not know. We just replace the whole setup with a conventional swigarm pivot in tapered roller bearings and do a cross torsion suspension with a built in tilt adjustor.
claude #3563 - 5/15/2010 8:03 AM
Hack'n - 4/25/2010 10:30 PM
If it has no shock it is a torsional suspension. The older CSC cars used this. The Eagles used a tubular coil over shock.
If the torsion straps are broken they are made from the same stock as the early VW beetle front torsion straps. These are the replacements. Dauntless used to carry a brass replacement bushing for these units also (or a machine shop can easily make one).
Gustaffson plastics makes windshields. Some Truck stops carry replacement lights and lenses. Upholstery shops can repair or recover seats. What else have you got?Lonnie
If it does have the torsion suspension please take it apart and check the torsion straps. If they fail you can lose the swingarm. This is not good for the ol' fun meter at all. The VW springs will work but from what I have seen they are a little too wide and will have to be ground down slightly. Maybe all are not this way I do not know. We just replace the whole setup with a conventional swigarm pivot in tapered roller bearings and do a cross torsion suspension with a built in tilt adjustor.
Claude, this is a very old thread, but of potential interest to me. Is this something you could possibly do down the road on my California Friendship 2?
Best I can tell, the five straps in the torsion arn are in good shape, but who knows for later.
You could buy a lathe and welder.
not to worry Debbie,..there are several sources for available parts that are not so obvious, ebay and such,..as Lonnie has mentioned,, lights and that are available,..or can be upgraded to newer stock,..if the frame is solid, and the fiberglass is decent,..mounting it to your ride is the only real concern,..and several of the fabricators here can make what you need for about the same price if not less,..mine has served me well,for several seasons,... don't worry, yours will too,....hehe cheers crawf.
