Why/How is a sidecar rig/combo called a "Hack"?

That is a very interesting question, ket explain for you, it's quite simply really you see the term hack comes from ummm some latin word meaning ummm something i can't recall at the moment, but anyways when translated, and ummm , ok ok face it i have no clue

why is a sidecar and bike call a hack?

fender

The 'tug' and 'tub' parts are easy to see. So is 'chair' and 'basket'. Anybody with an answer?

it is my understanding that taxis in england were called hacks back in the horse drawn days. when sidecars began being used as taxis they where called sidehacks.
fly

In England and their colonies in asia the early cabs or animal drawn carriages that were for hire, were referred to as Hacks and their drivers as Hack drivers. When motorcycles appeared on the scene and sidecars soon added, they were pressed into service as economical taxicabs, or Hacks. Due to the lopsided confliguration of the beasts they were referred to as Side Hacks. A name which has survived the ages.

That sounds about right! I was thinking along those lines, too. But, you know in the "computer age" people sometimes get nervous when you mention a "hack." I made the mistake of using "sidehacker" in an e-mail address once and nobody would open my e-mails!

I didn't even think of that! Hmmmm.

here in england when horse drawn cabs were around they were originally called "hackney carrage"

Back in the chariot days, when they used to put sharp blades at the ends of the axles to hack down the enemy troops, they called those chariots "hack-knees", changed in later times to "hackney". The absence of the knee hacking blades doesn't mean a pedestrian or two doesn't get bumped occasionally by a sidecars fender, and a particulary vicious bump could cause the victim to recall the chariots of old and scream at the offending driver, "you've bumped me with your hack, you scrumpet!"

And that's why we call our sidecars Hacks.

Jim

Hi Jim,

Are you Irish? 'Cause I think there was just a wee bit of blarney in that explanation!:) I think those "hack knees" blades would be great to have today in some cases. I don't know that I've ever bumped a pedestrian with my sidecar, but I do think that I ran over a guys foot when he wouldn't get out of my way when I was trying to get to the place where I was supposed to be lining up to ride in a Christmas Parade.

Connie

Hello Connie:

I'm Spanish and Scottish, so I must have been telling the truth.

Jim

ps - did you see the movie "Gladiator" where they used Hack-knees in the Colosseum? Russel Crowe said to one of his companions, "If you want to live stay with me and watch out for those Hack-knees".

j

Hi Jim,

Ah, Spanish and Scottish - - you came reeeal close to being Black Irish, but that's close enough for a wee bit o' blarney!!! Now, I'll have to watch "GLADIATOR" to check that out! But the first time that I saw those "hack knees" was in the movie "BEN HUR". When that idiot got up against my sidecar wheel and nearly pushed me off of the interstate in WV a couple of years ago, I really wished that my sidecar was equipped with "hack knees"!!! I am happy to report though, that I am sure that the rim of the wheel messed up, what I am quite sure, was a custom paint job!!! 😮 😮 😮

Connie

Originally written by herwing on 8/20/2004 11:26 PM

Hi Jim,

Are you Irish? 'Cause I think there was just a wee bit of blarney in that explanation!:) I think those "hack knees" blades would be great to have today in some cases. I don't know that I've ever bumped a pedestrian with my sidecar, but I do think that I ran over a guys foot when he wouldn't get out of my way when I was trying to get to the place where I was supposed to be lining up to ride in a Christmas Parade.

Connie

Now that's spirit of the season 😛

Uh, okay, ya see now that sounded like a challenge to me and you know that I can't let that pass. I actually do have a very limited amount of patience. And I also have a rule as a pedestrian - - never argue with a motorized vehicle of any kind. I love riding in the Christmas parades because the kids love the bikes, especially, the one (mine) with the sidecar. However, when I have ridden 25 miles in the cold and dark (which I don't like to do ever since I killed a deer with my bike and lost a very dear friend to a deer, bike collision - both occurring at night & in the same year)and then have to somehow get across town when all the streets are closed because the dummies haven't yet figured out that the people actually participating in the parade have to get there to be in the parade. Only to have someone look at me, knowing that I am trying to get through to my position, and make absolutely no attempt to move their a-- out of my way. Yeah, you might say I get a tad testy and have a lapse of spirit. But, I got it right back when I had the "joy" of running over his foot.

I can picture it! Bet they had the same shocked look on their face that people get when you ask them not to pet the cute dog that's growling and has all her hair standing up. As if whatever they want to do is more important than anything else.