Sidecar for handicapped use

I have a neighbor that is chair bound and he and I looked around to see what was available and basically there are just 2 designs that looked like they would be worth while, one was a sidecar design which he could use if he had someone to drive the rig because he can't do it himself and the other was a drive/ride on design that the chair rolled onto a platform between 2 wheels and is for intensive purposes a trike for a chair, this is he design that I think you should look at if you have the upper body strength to drive it, I remember seeing one on the "Clutch and Chrome" web site that had a drop back and air locks to hold the chair with the bars relocated for the driver but I couldn't find it for you.
below are some sites that you can get ideas from and locations of dealers that you may be able to go to for a look see or get information from to help you and your friends to build what you want. I wish I lived near you because building something like this is something I really love to do and to make something that would get someone on the road that otherwise can't would,,,,,,,well,,,make me feel good, good luck in your quest and DON'T give up on it, Please keep us informed as to your progress with this.

The main reason I think a trike would be best is that there may be some serious draw backs with useing a sidecar as a carrier especially in left hand turns, I think, but could be wrong, that the bike would lift because of lack of weight but if your going to be on the bike then a regular set up with air shifters and modified controls would be very doable, there's a Vet in town that has a GW and sidecar and his lower legs are missing and he puts a lot of miles on.
Ted
http://www.dingbobtrikes.com/paraplegics_and_onearmedbandits.htm
http://www.disabledmotorcyclerider.com/
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-11-13-bosshosstrike_N.htm
http://www.trikeshop.com/dealers.php

Google 'life motors' for some pics of what used to be TOMCO.
We have done wheelchair accesable sidecars but have not done one with the controls in the sidecar YET.
ONE THING TO CONSIDER WOULD BE TO DO A LEFT MOUNT SIDECAR IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE OPERATING THE RIG FROM THE SIDECAR.
You also may want to run quite a bit of wheel lead to add stability in turns away from the chair.
The first and third attached picture below is a custom sidecar we built for a wheelchair. '

The second one is taken from the Life Motors website and is the TOMCO design.

The second one is the one I was looking for but I still wonder about left turns and the bike rising.
in the third set of photos the one of the frame it looks like they may have used a rubber cushioned Axel end like the ones sold at
http://www.northentool.com in their trailer section, it mounts inside of a pipe and comes in different torsion values, a very easy way to have a sprung wheel.

Originally written by Shadow1100T on 11/27/2008 10:12 AM

The second one is the one I was looking for but I still wonder about left turns and the bike rising.
in the third set of photos the one of the frame it looks like they may have used a rubber cushioned Axel end like the ones sold at
http://www.northentool.com in their trailer section, it mounts inside of a pipe and comes in different torsion values, a very easy way to have a sprung wheel.

We built the large one on the K1200LT. It has a splined end torsion bar suspension with shock and manual tilt adjustor. We do not use the rubber torsion bar trailer type setups.Some have used them but over time the sidecar setup begins to vary (toe in).

>>The second one is the one I was looking for but I still wonder about left turns and the bike rising.<<

This is the reason these types of rigs normally run excessive wheel lead on the sidecar. Without it and due to the placement of the weight in the sidecar an unstable situation just like you described can be a problem in turns away from the sidecar.
A heavy anti swaybar would also help a lot.

We do not use the rubber torsion bar trailer type setups.Some have used them but over time the sidecar setup begins to vary (toe in).
========================================================
Interesting and valid point now that I think about it, if it can go up and down it could go back and forth because of it's design,,,scrap that idea

Thanks to everyone who posted. Unfortunately I'm not able to open any of the files sent. The idea of putting the sidecar on the left really caught my attention. It solves a safety issue for me. I'm running a 3 inch belt open primary plus it would put me next to the lane divider when in the right lane. I recently sold a VW trike w/auto trans because I have no sense of balance. My wife said she just didn't feel right strapping me on with a 5 point safety harness and turning me loose on the world. I didn't argue much cause I'd really prefer to have Harley power. All of this depends on weather the new automatic clutch for Harleys actually works as advertised. Due to my spinal cord injury I'm not able to squeeze the clutch lever. Shifting would be done by a electric shifting. I also use an electric wheelchair which would add about 500 lbs. to the weight (not counting the weight of the sidecar) that the bike would have to move. I've bookmarked every picture of the undercarriage of a sidecar that I've found. Some of them look like good ideas and others rate a "I don't think so". After 28 yrs. of not being able to ride I don't want to build something that will get me killed.
Again thanks to everyone who replied and keep the ideas coming. If I (we) can't figure something out then the Harley goes back to being a trailer queen.
Thanks
Duster

A fellow that I met on the forum here (now a new friend) is handicapped and has built a beautiful setup for his Road King. He started with a late-model TLE sidecar and removed the tub. The frame was then covered with 3/16" steel sheet (about 90 pounds worth!). His wheelchair is pulled up onto the framework with folding ramps using a 2,500 # Gorilla Winch controlled by a wireless remote. He can then transfer himself over to the bike which he rides in standard manner. I've seen it work in person when he rode over and visited me at my home recently. It's terrific the way the winch works!

The winch is the same type that I used for my winch reverse. See my thread on "Got Reverse". It's the best way I can think of to get up onto the rig with the least trouble. It's amazing how much pull the winches can develop. It works perfectly.

He also has a Pingel elecric shift. When I saw how nice that works and the quality of its finish, I ordered one myself. I even gave up my project to build one. The Pingel unit can be used for clutchless shifting since it also comes with an ignition cutout unit if you are having trouble pulling the clutch in repeatedly. They are the cat's meow!

He's also modified his brakes to link the rear wheel and sidecar wheel using a vacuum unit and master cylinder from a car. His front brake is from a Japanese bike (Nissin) with the lever reversed so that he can operate with his thumb.

He has had some help with carrying out the mechanical work but his design and engineering thought for the modifications are impeccable. It's amazing what can be done if you set your mind to it so that you get back "in the wind".

Regards.

We did a sportster/ modified sputnik rig for a man with one leg and installed a Pingle Electric shifter on it. Gotta admit that shifter worked great and I would not hesitate to use one again.

Hey there Duster;
I broke my neck in '82 level C-5 thru C-7 luckiley I developed into an incomplete quad if you can call that luck,..which being me,..I do.
I've been a biker since the late '50's,..so therefore not riding was not an option,..started with a '65 Corvair Spyder auto trans trike,..but being a die hard Harley man I had to get back to the real thing so put together a '88 softtail with a sidecar platform.
Before I can start to make any suggestions for you I need to know what level of spinal injury you are and what are your limits of movement and control.
I use all controls on the left side of handle bars,.clutch,..brake & Pingel shifter (because I have no use of my right hand) and run a '56 Thunderbird power brake booster to be able to stop the 1285 pound 2003 Road King,.2002 TLE sidecar frame I've just finished building (outside of detailing).
Can you do transfers from your chair or do you need help??

P.S.
If you've got the heart Duster and the will,..rigging a '81 is not going to be as complicated as it seems.
Here is a web page about me that really need to up date though.
http://home.comcast.net/~maddogvic/maddog1.htm

Mad Dog
As strange as it's gonna sound I was shot in 82 and wound up a C4-C5 incomplete being complete at C8 quad. You've got me on saddle time. I didn't start riding til 1963. I have full use of my arms and my hands are flat but I have no ability to close them at all. I use a left handed twist grip hand control set-up in my van. I'm able to transfer without any problems. Due to the lack of balance I think I'd feel safer in my chair. My main concern is the auto clutch setup. I've had the thrill of breaking a clutch cable before and I can do without that rush. I was sitting at a red light when the cable broke and sent me into 30 mph cross traffic. My riding buddy said I squealed like a pig all the way across the intersection. I still don't know why I didn't crap my pants. I would definitely appreciate any input you can give and any pictures of your setup.
Thanks
Duster

Originally written by maddogvic on 11/28/2008 2:53 PM

Hey there Duster;
I broke my neck in '82 level C-5 thru C-7 luckiley I developed into an incomplete quad if you can call that luck,..which being me,..I do.
I've been a biker since the late '50's,..so therefore not riding was not an option,..started with a '65 Corvair Spyder auto trans trike,..but being a die hard Harley man I had to get back to the real thing so put together a '88 softtail with a sidecar platform.
Before I can start to make any suggestions for you I need to know what level of spinal injury you are and what are your limits of movement and control.
I use all controls on the left side of handle bars,.clutch,..brake & Pingel shifter (because I have no use of my right hand) and run a '56 Thunderbird power brake booster to be able to stop the 1285 pound 2003 Road King,.2002 TLE sidecar frame I've just finished building (outside of detailing).
Can you do transfers from your chair or do you need help??

P.S.
If you've got the heart Duster and the will,..rigging a '81 is not going to be as complicated as it seems.
Here is a web page about me that really need to up date though.
http://home.comcast.net/~maddogvic/maddog1.htm

Hi Vic! I was just telling everybody about your rig. As I told you, I'm mightily impressed. As you say, if you've got the heart and the will, you can do most anything.

Happy Trails!

GNM

Hey Duster;
OK,..I'm going to pm you my phone number,..much easier to talk on the phone,..
I glue Velcro to my gloves,..the loop side and then glue the hooks to the grips on the bars and press them on in a close postion,..but for you paddles may be better,..it's going to be trial and error and for the most part it usaully seems to be error,..nothing I've done seems to work right out the gate,..my engineering and ideas are alright,..just always need twiking and modiying till it's right,..all of us crips are different in our abilities and what works for one doesn't work for the next guy,..I use a Quickie sports chair when riding,..a electric is just to heavy for my taste and I need the excercise for my arm strength.

Anyone else have a Tomco drive from sidecar? Attached mine to a Harley now trying to get the cable and brake logistics worked out. Be nice if I could find someone else who has already done this. Rick Oliver where are you!

email is: backwoodsmember@yahoo.com

Chris