I have a 1980 Suzuki GS1000GT that I'm trying to find a new use for and the thought of mounting a sidecar is appealing. I would use it primarily for running errands and joy-ridding with my young daughter.
The bike weighs about 560 lbs, has about 80hp, shaft drive, triple disks, and is in excellent shape.
Does it make sense to try to fit a sidecar to a 26 year old bike?
Any suggestions on what sidecars would fit?
I appreciate your feedback. I’ve already learned a lot from poking around on this site.
Thanks for your help.
I have a 89 Honda Shadow 1100 with Velorex 565. The bike is 556# dry. I have added some lead shot in the sidecar (50#) and it works for me.
JR,
It make a lot of sense. I am riding a BMW R75/5 rig... 33 years old,131,000 miles on it, with no worries at all. just got back from a 2000 mile trip down to AR. MO. Many of my SC buddies ride older hondas, Kaws, Zuks, from the 70's. 80's. A well maintained older bike makes a great tug!!
My son is currently dealing to buy a GS1000 with intentions of mounting a Ural sidecar.
We recommend starting your sidecar experience this way, with a minimum investment. If one gets a nick or scratch or two during the training curve it's no big deal.
This bike is a very good candidate for a sidecar. Good brakes lots of low end torque, shaft drive. The best way for a Tyro (Newbie) to enter sidecaring is with a bike like this. If you can find a used sidecar for it that suits your needs you will have a small investment in a rig that can provide years of good entertainment and practical usage.
Another plus is that if you lose the desire to continue hacking you can sell the outfit later and probably at least break even.
Lonnie
I'm new at it but can't see why anyone would want to give up hacking.
Henry
I have 79 gs550/velorex562. No problems.
There are few older bikes that won't handle a Velorex 562(563) or 565.The older bikes were for the most part built with heavier tubing(Though not always stiffer geometry). I have used my 565 or an older but similar design California Sidecar Companion on a 1979 Suzuki GS550, 1981 BMW R65, 1982 BMW R100S and put on tens of thousands of miles with NO problems.The Velorex 563 or 565 for the money is hard to beat for what you intend to do .......Please read and get some input from guys on this sight before your first ride ...a "rig" is not a motorcycle. The first right-turn can be real scary without ballast...TomJ
My Honda GL650 is 23 years old. The Dneper sidecar is of unknown age. I paid $3500 for the complete rig, ready to go. I've only had it 1 year, but I've added 8000 hard miles to it. Because its old and cheap, I'm not afraid to really use this machine. If it dies, I will upgrade.
that GS sounds like a good canidate for a rig. good brakes and shaft drive are a plus in my book. the full parimiter frame should make for easy mounting of most sidecars.
DO IT!!
uber
If you can get it at a good price (under $1000) I'd go for it!
We sell a lot of sidecars for older bikes. The Sputnik at $2495, Kenna at $2795 for the single seat and $3795 for the two seater and the Ural at $2995 all would work out well and all are in stock at this time.
Jay Giese
Dauntless Motors Corporation
www.dauntlessmotors.com
866-638-1793
Sure. I recently had one put together with an 89 FJ1200.
Good pulling power, I can run relatively comfortably at highway speeds, and I didn't have to spend tooooo much $$
Jay,
I was looking at your website. Could you send me more information on the Sputnik and Ural cars that you mentioned?
Safety is my main concern. Are the Russian cars well engineered/constructed? Is that a "rollbar" I see in some of the Sputnik pictures?
What about the Champion Escort model?
What accessories would you recommend? I see a lot of the bikes have been converted to leading link front-ends. I think that could get expensive. I think the boss, (a.k.a. the wife) may not let me exceed a $3k target for this venture.
Is this a DIY installation for someone who is mechanically inclined?
Any feedback you could provide would be appreciated.
Thanks... JRD
