Jim here,
I am so irriatated I don't know where to turn.I won't go into it all, but if you want to see it's all in my general dicussion post.... anyway I am wanting to purchase either a California Friendship 2, or a Champion Escort sidecar, whichever one meets my needs. I haven't seen either one in person and that is my first goal. I will purchase the car directly from the manufacturer in order to avoid several humdred dollars in state tax (which is legal and who wouldn't?) But I am struggling to find a installer. All the "dealers" oin Texas on the California Sidecar website are Honda dealers, the ones I have been able to get in touch with never installed a sidcar only trike kits. I have a 2003 Harley Davidson Heritage Softail Classic, can anyone help me with locating someone with experience that can install a sidecar somewhere in the state of Texas?
I understand your intent to save some cash, and keep it from the government. It is a worthy goal!
I would however suggest you look at the total cost - sidecar & installation - as a package. You might well find buying the sidecar separate then hiring the installer will cost more in the end then it would to buy the "package" of an installed sidecar on your bike. Most of the best installers are busy enough installing the rigs they sell that they just don't have time to mess with installs where they did not make any profit on the sidecar sale. I would include the total costs of the sidecar, rigging, paint and shipping, then compare the total costs.
When comparing the rigging component of the package make sure they are using similar hardware, struts, subframes etc. The price tags on this stuff can add up quick and the quality does vary. An inexpensive sounding install may only be cheap due to lesser quality components then the expensive guy. I would also make sure the installer, especially if an independent, has experience with the sidecar and bike you are looking at.
I noticed you have not mentioned Hannigan in your search. I'm not pitching one brand over the other, just curious why they where not part of the search? They have several models with very easy access, but those models may not be a good match for your bike.
I noticed your comment about your bike having 4" of rake. Not sure how that relates to trail, but the way the easy steer and others reduce steering effort is through reduction of trail.
One long time sidecar shop that comes to mind is Perry Bushhog from the Ft Worth Area. No personal experience but they have been at it a long time. link to Perry's http://www.perrysmotorcycles.com/
Did you find the map feature on the home page of sidcar.com? it has links to sidecar dealers, installers by state.
Thanks for you omformation TKPINSC. I have checked things out going both ways dealer for everything and buying direct. If you will check out my postings in the discussion forum you'll see all the informatin I received from Texas Sidaecar.Sidecar, including the EZ Steer installation labor is 1125.00, they charge the same retail price for the Champoin Sidecar as Champion does, so teh only difference is me paying STATE tax!! I kow they probably get the car a bit cheaper than retail but They wouldn't have to pay any tax either! I even offered to add to their quoted labor rate as long as it was under the tax amount. I checked out Perrys Motorcycles website looks like they mosly work with European bikes but I am going to give them a call. And to use them as an example, they install vintage cars on vintage bikes, they don't seem too concerned on where the car comes from! Again,thank you for you information, I'll try Perry's, I'm in Sanger Texas which is only 35 miles from Fort Worth.
Jim
I think Perry's probably does some newer bikes as well and the website says all brands. The thing with Perry is he has been installing them since the vintage stuff was new. He is the former long time owner of BMW Fort Worth, and "retired" from that to do just sidecar work.
I'm still curious about why Hannigan isn't on your list? Not pushing them, just curious.
Hannigan cars entry doors are really high, I have a handicapped wife that will require a car with low easy entry. I just spent 30 minutes on the phone with Perry, he sounds very knowledgable, infact I'm off today as it's our 16 year wedding anniversary, so we are loading up and going to go visit with Perry and see what we can get started. Perry also told me that the Spaldin Side is also a good one, he wants to sit down and look at all the options and needs. I really appreicate your advice.I'll keep you updated on our progress. Thanks again!
Jim
WOOO HOOO !!!!
Today was my big day, we went to Fort Worth and met Perry Bushong of Perry's Motorcycles and sidecars. Since I am new meat I was hugely amazed at all the bikes and sidecars he had in his shop, the best part of it (other than being our 16th wedding anniversary) was he took both me and the wife (one at a time) for a ride in a sidecar!! OUTSTANDING!!Perry is going to put together a wish/price list for me to complete a turn key sidecar set up with the options I choose, I am getting butterflys again this is way cool!!Again I want to thank TKPINSC for turning me onto Perry!!!
