Sorry about not posting here for a while but here is another idea.
I have a convertable cover for my side car. Its a simple frame and canvas job that bolts to the side car body and snaps on to the windshield.
While it isn't insulated it does hold out some of the weather. The side windows and rear curtain roll up and can be secured down during bits of more inclement weather.
It was manufactured by Cozy Sidecars of Mumbai, India and is used with Royal Enfield Motorcycles. If you check either company on the web you may see photos of what they got for weather protection.
The rigs aren't designed for heavy use or current US safety standards. but for ideas sometimes a foreign out look helps.
Ernie, I'm trying to picture this --- and failing. A local boat/convertible top company gave me an estimate of $350-375 to make a new top and side curtains. I'll probably have to bite the bullet and go that route.
Sidecar Ron
Ron,
I don't know if you ever solved this problem, but I just stumbled across this while looking for lights for my cargo trailer.
http://www.roadtrucker.com/12-volt-heating/12-volt-heater-12-volt-blanket.htm
I have a blanket like this and it works well.
Thanks Mike,
Nope, I never have resolved this and, as a result, we haven't done much riding this winter. Although Luke can't speak, I know he misses not getting out more. As you may have seen, I've put a post in the hacks wanted section for a Motorvation FII with a flip nose - but certainly am not holding my breadth that one will turn up.
Thanks for thinking of us.
Ron
I may be way off base here and probably have no idea what your going through to resolve this, but here's my 2 cents. How about a heated seat element from an auto to generate warmth. Could something be sewn to the gloves that would be satisfying and would make them fun to have on. Would Luke use a grab bar. You could modify one to use heated grips.
Hey Ron, Check this out. http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=259214&pn=5 I've bought from these guys before and been satisfied.
Mike, that's pretty neat and sure is cheap! I don't imagine it puts out much heat, but the fact that I could put it on the dash of the hack is appealing. It should hit Luke's hands about right - and that's my biggest concern since he won't leave gloves on.
I'll need to put in a cigarette lighter and guess I'd better check my alternator output since I think I may be pushing its limit.
Thanks for the lead.
Ron
Originally written by RonC on 3/14/2005 7:40 AM
Thanks guys -- you're getting pretty creative! I've tried the fingerless gloves and he took them off too. Actually, I had some concerns about them anyway. Aren't the fingers the first thing to experience frostbite?
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Actually, the purpose of fingerless gloves is to keep the arteries in your wrist warm. If the blood there is warm, the fingers stay warm longer. Arctic types wear wool fingerless gloves under heavy mittens under sub-zero conditions. That way they can remove the mittens and manipulate things with bare fingers while keeping the blood warm FOR A WHILE. Fingerless gloves are not a replacement for "real" gloves or mittens. They simply let you go bare-handed longer to accomplish necessary tasks.
Sarge
Who HATES cold weather!
Sarge, that's REALLY interesting! I could help since what Luke likes is to be able to see his fingers.
Thanks for the info.
Ron
I've been involved with search and rescue for a long time. I teach basic survival to our members. As long as the vital parts of the body are warm, the extremities will also be warm. The vitals are defined as heart and lungs. Cognitive brain function and digestion are secondary. Comfort is way down the list. If you over heat the body, the extremities act as radiators to get rid of excess body heat. In a cold environment, the body can lose as 80% of its heat by not wearing a hat. Therefore, we tell our members that if their hands are cold, put on a hat. This all applies to motorcycles bigtime due to the built in wind chill factor. It is critical that the body core temprature is maintained. One of the symptoms of hypothermia, is impared jugement which can progress to stupor. This would not be a good thing to experience while traveling down the highway at 65 miles per hour in traffic. Electric vests are popular among motorcyclist in my area. this might be a practical and economical way to address address your problem.
