Probably just about everybody knows about "sidecar delay factor", but how about sidecar comedy factor? I seem to find that places where you got scowled at when you rode your bike through, the same folks smile give thumbs up wave etc. I think there's a certain "comedy factor" about sidecars--either that or they think" there goes a real nut case"Lol. Also every body must have seen Duck soup-the old Marx bros. movie 'cause they always ask where's the lever that lets you dump the sidecar?
I've been thinking of adding a dummy switch, toggle type with a safety cover, and label it "Jettison Sidecar" for exactly that question!
1987: winter biker meeting in Herzberg Harzmountains Germany => Kuemmerlingvernichtungstreffen (Meeting for to vanish Kuemmerling a stomach bitter)
Arround 1 meter high snow about -8°C. A 4 year old boy standing behind a bluppering MZ-rig breathing and tasing deep the smell of the 2 stroker.
"Hey Hans call back your son, he will become ill!"
"Try it yourself"
Man pulls back the kid which starts to cry and runs back to the muffler for to smell it like an old farmer with shrincked arms behind his back.
Father:"I told you, he knows what is good! - His mother rides the same type of bike."
On on
Sven
:O :O
Totally agree with your comments HD Hank. I think people feel less threatened with a sidecar rig than a solo bike or maybe it's just our white hair that they see when we pull off the helmets! We just returned from a month long trip out West on our sidecar rig and one of the most enjoyable things about the trip was all the people that stopped and talked to us and asked questions about the rig. We have ridden solo bikes previously and got lots of stares but not as many people talking and asking questions. Also, we had numerous people snapping pictures of us out on the rode as we passed them--go figure--never had them do that before. And yes, they always want to know how you dump the sidecar?
Just have seen again MacGyver pull out the conection pin between bike and sidecar and pass though a mouse hole first the sidecar, then the bike.=> while the bad guys stuck their car.
Just in TV a joke like that is possible. Ain't it?
But I like the idea of a service elevator as garage entrance....
Garantied comedy factor are my dogs jumping in and out the sidecar or barking:
"Why are you riding that slow!"
Sven
The best is when my boys are with me now 6 and 13, Papa gets everything from is that safe to you're too cool. 90 percent positive statements. Up side all the girls love it. Bad side I got the boys with me so all I can do is smile at the girls.
Then this happened. I was trailering the bike and Henry to a rally at John Day Oregon because he's not ready for a ride that far yet. Pickup started acting up and I pull into a shop in the little town of Mesa WA. Shop owner says, "Was your other dog a boxer?" I said yes wondering where this was going or how he knew. He says, "I have your picture on my wall." He did. He'd taken a photo of Archie and me at a gas stop in the past. I had rain gear and full face helmet on, Archie his jacket and Doggles. It was a wet day somewhere. I took that as a sure sign I'd found the right shop.
People are more friendly when dealing with sidecars .when i had the old police bikes with sidecars .i would get people looking at them and asking me questions.i had a 80 year old women tell me a story how her dad only had a Indian with a sidecar when she was young. but when i was on my other bike without the sidecar people werent as friendly.
I can attest to that same scenario when riding in Chicago.
With a sidecar, people smile and wave and drivers allow more space between their front bumper and my rig.
Several pedestrians will ask for rides.
On a motorcycle, I always feel drivers want to challenge my space on the road....tail gate or too close on either side. Most people also think that motorcyclists are gang members.
Difficult for me to fathom the reason and mentality.
The sidecar always draws attention: The Navigator (wife) and I were out for a sunday cruise! When turning throught an intersection a guy in the opposite corner runes to the road and starts waving his arms like something is up. I figure pull in, keep it in gear, see whats up! He says "I love sidecars can't wait to get one" Says he has done some research but, was just happy see one on the road. Looks at the rig a little, thanks use for stopping and walks back to his truck!
Strange things happen when your on a sidecar rig!!!!
Sidcar comedy factor:
A young student stands on the road for hitch hikeing.
Another student with a MZ sidecar and a mouse on the handle bar stops and gives him a ride.
"Hey, did you ever ride in a sidecar?"
"No"
"Then throw in the cassete into the radio recorder"
...A skin rising harmony melodie starts...
"Sing me the song of death" out of "Once upon the time in the West" from Enio Morikone
!986 to 1989 frequently hitch hikers stepped out with white noses.
Those were times!
Happy Birthday on "all souls day" no. 48
Sven the kid who just cannot grow up....
C64club rides his fresh and completely unfinished sidecar. Without lights, unpainted, ad-hoc ballasted with few motorcycle wheels. Wears workshop clothes and goggles. His neighbor says: "I remember my father's sidecar. We carried a scrap-metal with it, too. There's no better vechicle for such purproses."
Sidecar - the best shopping vechicle
