After reading the thread on cutting a door into a sidecar, I'm a little hesitant to ask this question, but here goes anyway.
I have an Auburn Gemini (predisessor to the Ride-by-Side and Texas TwinStar). I find it's difficult for an adult to climb in what with the wheel and massive fendor right in the way of the threshold.
The car body is basically a fiberglass 2-piece clam shell, riveted together through an aluminium band. I've been toying with the idea of cutting the upper shell by following the contour of the fender, drilling out the rivits then hinging the front portion at the nose. Some H-channel trim with weather stripping, some rubber T-handle hold downs and some lifting struts and/or springs should do it. The fiberglass seems pretty stout and shouldn't need to have much structural framing added (will need some at the hinges for sure).
I'm not so concerned about resale value as I am safety and functionality. Having to ask fully grown adults to climb over that fender gets old and will prolly result in a cracked fender anyway. Climbing in over tha back may result in the cracking of the trunk roof and eliminates adding a convertable cover frame.
Anybody try anything like this before? Any advice?
This option may be simpler.
L.
WHAT??!! Move the tub forward on the frame?? That means I'd have to drill like... FOUR new mounting holes! MAN! It's never EASY!! 🙂 🙂
>end sarcasm<
LOL! an elegant solution, Lonnie! Definitely worth the wee bit of time it would take to try it out at least.
Same frame, same body, different fender.
L.
It also looks like the body is pulled forward on the frame too by about 10 to 12 inches. Am I wrong on that? A large step would also be needed.
I don't have a Twin Star around. Have someone who does measure from the front of the car back to the mounting holes and compare numbers.
The large step seems a betteroption to me than having to straddle the huge fender.
But, your sidecar, your choice if you choose to break out the sabersaw.
(You asked for advice.)
L.
Yes I did ask for advice, and I appreciate your replies, Lonnie. You have forgotten more sidecar info than I ever hope to learn!
Judging by the photo you posted, it looks like pulling the tub forward may be an option (anyone with a TwinStar have nose-to-front mount measurements?) With the car pulled forward of the fender, the threashold can be accessed more easilly. A broad step will make a much more stable platform for the passenger to use when loading than the round frame rail.
Thinking further, a stout bow to hold up the rear of a convertable cover could be installed and could also serve as a hand grip for the passenger. If I add additional frame rails out the back, I could even mount a luggage carrier, much like those that fit into hitch receivers. That would help balance the hack both mechanically and aesthetically.
Just spitballing ideas now.
Another idea you might consider is to cut the hood about half way down it's length, hinge it and gain more access. I did this to a Velorex several yrs. ago, and was happy with the outcome. Where I made my hood joint I bent a piece of flat strap about 2' wide to the contours of the hood. This was fastened {hidden) under the center strip, and made a solid place to bolt the hinges. Used some small decorative gate hinges and some t-type hold downs. Made for a much better access for the passenger.----Lots of ways to approach this problem. Or encourage your passenger to become a contorshinist lol.-- good luck. HDHank
Yep. Hardest part about these sidecars. As you see in the photo Lonnie posted, the later ones like that one and mine, have cross bars that make a really good step getting in. You could add metal or a wood step in that area of your frame to add a good step. With that, it's pretty easy for my wife to get in (out is tougher). I have people use the step, step on the seat and then get in. To get out, I tell them to scoot up onto the rear of the sidecar and step from the seat to the step and down. My fender is smaller than yours. Don't know if the tub is any farther forward. Even with that, I've considered cutting and hinging at about the same distance down as Hannigan does theirs and adding a lip with some weather stripping. To lock it down, I considered using old jeep hood latches or something along those lines.
Old school,
I am very new to sidecars, in fact I am leaving to pick-up my first one in about 1/2 hour.
I am buying it from a gentleman whose wife has MS and had trouble getting into and out of the sidecar.
He cut the body so that the entire front of the car opens up, it is hinged in the front.
He has told me it works well, but I have found a few places where I will brace it up and change it around a little.
I will put up some pictures on after I get the sidecar tonight, and a new camera that is going to arrive on Wednesday 08/10/11
I hope this will help you.
Regards
Dave "zimco"
Old School,
I forgot to add the sidecar I am getting is a 1994 Motorvation Spyder.
Dave "zimco"
Old School,
I just remembered I have 2 photos that show the cut and hinges on the front see album named zimco
Dave "zimco"
Thanks Dave!
And welcome to Sidecar.com! I like the pics in your album, looks AWESOME! If you could add some closeups of the hinges and any related hardware, I'd appreciate it. Hinging the nose is now my Plan B with remounting the tub further forward on the frame as Plan A.
Here's another angle that shows just how far to the rear my tub is mounted. Much different that what Lonnie's picture shows.
