Has anyone ever tried to build a "side car" that also had a front forks? My line of thought is: cut the neck with down tube off a frame (same type as the bike that's to be used) and build a sidecar frame. Mounting the side car to the motorcycle is a way that provides a very firm but slightly flexible connection. Move handelbars and controls to sidecar (I use a wheelchair). I know it can be done, all I have to do is figure out how to do it. In Texas something like this would be classified as a "car". No motorcycle endorsement on your drives license. I'm going to call my insurance agent tomorrow and see if it would be insured as a car. And yes I know that I have way to much free time on my hands.
Duster
To leave a legacy
Live a life worth remembering
There a guy that builds a sidecar for wheelchairs and moves the controls to the sidecar, Google "wheelchair sidecars" and you'll find it.
Operating a rig from a wheelchair in th esidecar is nothing new. In the states a company named Tomko built quite a few of these but is not defunct. The company that now does th emost of these is called Life Motors and is located in Pa.
Google 'Life Motors' to see some pictures.
We have done wheel chair accessable sidecars but none with the controls in the sidecar YET. I would recomend that the sidecar be a left mount if one of these type rigs is built.
Steering from th esidecar is typically done with linkages from sidecar to bike using stock type forks.
Click on links below.
I've seen rigs where the handlebars and controls were in the sidecar. The bike forks were linked with bicycle sprockets and chain. This also allowed adjustments in steering pressure required by changing sprocket sizes for easier steering.
Lonnie
I find it interesting that there is fore and aft adjustment on to sidecar wheel, a unique way of adjusting toe in.
Some years back there was a fellow in the north Dallas area that had handlebar controls mounted on a flat bed sidecar so that he could drive the rig from his wheelchair. I'd see him from time to time with a passenger sitting on the bike while he drove from the sidecar. So, yes it has been done and continues to be done although you might have some problems finding someone to help you build the sidecar and move the controls over.
In Texas a three wheeled vehicle is classified as a motorcycle and licensed as such. If this is the case with your idea then you will need a motorcycle classification on your license, however, you should be able to test using your modified rig. You'd even qualify for a handicap license on the bike.
Duster if you are going to build a Custom then consider putting the Car on the Left side so that you will be "Driving" from a more normal placement. Those Tomco's were put on the Right side and became like driving an English car in America being on the wrong side 'n all.
If you ever get to see a Tomco take a good look at it and learn how not to build one. Some of the ideas were good but most were not well thought out and others simply Wrong. One bad feature on the Tomco's was the wheel placement being way to far forward for correct handling with another being limited placement of the Sidecar vs Bike due to the Steering Linkage between the two.
I would start with a clean slate with the platform on the Left and work out the details from there.
Try Lowell Neff. He is in AZ I think, and he builds speciality handicapped sidecars and accessories. Very nice guy, and he is in a chair. So he understands the requirements. Pokie from Chromeheads put me onto him.
uber
Originally written by Jim Van der Veen on 12/16/2008 4:40 PM
Try Lowell Neff. He is in AZ I think, and he builds speciality handicapped sidecars and accessories. Very nice guy, and he is in a chair. So he understands the requirements. Pokie from Chromeheads put me onto him.
uber
Lowell does great work!
Neff Design & Engineering
Lowell Neff
P.O.Box 475
Dragoon,AZ 85609, USA
520-586-9642
...and of course, there is this one as an idea to expand upon, only. Lots of old antique car used a steering set up on pitman arm that ran sticking from outside of the cowl or hood area.
Also, got to YouTube and search handicap sidecar for some ideas and video clips as this one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFMC73KmKTA
I am not sure if the rig is considered a handicapped sidecar rig because the owner/pilot is in a wheelchair or if it is because the rig is such a wildly handicapped color combination. 🙂
Originally written by Pat Huey on 12/18/2008 4:26 PM
...and of course, there is this one as an idea to expand upon, only. Lots of old antique car used a steering set up on pitman arm that ran sticking from outside of the cowl or hood area.
Also, got to YouTube and search handicap sidecar for some ideas and video clips as this one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFMC73KmKTA
I am not sure if the rig is considered a handicapped sidecar rig because the owner/pilot is in a wheelchair or if it is because the rig is such a wildly handicapped color combination. 🙂
The rig in the video has an automobile type steering box on it. Some have used just a conventional motorcycle steering stem with a pimany arm off of th etriple trees connected to a drag link running over to the bike,
The attached picture with the steering wheel in the sidecar was one of a leaner rig that allowed th epassenger to vary the lean angle while the driver did the actually steering from the bike. Pretty wild concept. These type rigs were also raced at one time.
In the states a left mount sidecar, if it was to be driven from the sidecar, woudl really be the better way to go.
Also, rigs driven from th esidecar like a lot of whel lead for stability in turns away from th esidecar. Tire wear can be an issue on them.
Give Marcus a call he teaches M/C sidecar Evergreen safety courses and will probably be a good resource for info. He is located in Lufkin TX he does trikes and sidecars in his shop. He is also a great guy to talk to.
Keith
saw an old 750K in Niagara here years back,..the gentleman drove the rig from his wheelchair in the hack using post mounted bars with heim rod conections to the front forks, a pneumatic shifter with a constantly recharging air system handled shifting duties, and the fellow never had to leave his chair,...sure looked freaky seeing a bike ghost riding down the road tho,...hehe crawf.
I dont mean to be funny here, but I'm thinking this would scare the sh*t out of me, specially being a passenger on the bike.
Are there any ride report's?
Safe riding Karl.
