Wow, thanks for the information. First, my Wing has 32K miles. Yes, not that much for a 2005 model, but it got minimal usage for 10 years while I dealt with a bad back, and after the three surgeries, I finally found the doc that fixed it. Anyway, I try to ride with the Dallas Honda Riders Club every other week. My wife rode a lot in the early years of it, but not since my back was fixed, and I am hoping the sidecar will change that (She says it will 😉).
I spoke with Flo at TSC, and she quoted $8,700.00 in black or $10,550.00 with one color. I do not recall her mentioning a triple tree that you mentioned. Plus, it will probably not be ready till March or later. I can live with the price, but not for a five to six-month wait.
Based on everything you have said here, I will attend the 2025 Fall Sidecar Muster for the Ark-La-Okie-Tex area that CCjon suggested and speak with Kent as you suggested (I am already planning a ride with the club). However, I am now thinking the best approach is to go with the complete rig. So, I think I will raise my budget to around $ 30,000 to replace my 2005. I like the idea of having both, but I don’t have the space. My wife gets the garage for her daily driver and Corvette, while I am relegated to the covered carport driveway. I’m sure you're familiar with the phrase “happy wife, happy life” 😊. Plus, that’s why I added the carport in the first place.
I found the 2015 Wing with Hannigan GTL sidecar at the dealer in Ohio you mentioned. (<a href=" removed link "> removed link ) That is a BIG sidecar. 😊But, do you think it has everything it should have for safety?
As for #1, I will take a look, but I usually don't like to go back older than what I have. I also found <a href=" removed link "> removed link , which is a little more (okay, a lot more) than my new complete rig budget, but it does look nice, and I'm not sure if it includes the safety items you mentioned or if it's a good deal. Additionally, TSC also has a BMW on consignment that looks appealing, although I might struggle to live with that kind of bike.
Thane also mentioned this Victory removed link e":"6596293826246041222"}&__tn__=!:D which is impressive and I like it but my last three bikes have been Honda, and I have a good relationship with Dallas Honda and know I am taken care of there.
Chris in Texas, first...the 32k miles you have on your 2005 Wing is only 1,300 miles more than what I did in ONE month on my 2003 Wing, so YES, you have very low mileage on your '05 Wing. (30,681 miles in 30 days)
Second, for a rider with a bad back, or history of a bad back, I have the fix for that, so you can ride in comfort....seriously. RDL seats.
Third, this quote you got from Flo at TSC of $ 8,700.00 to $ 10,550.00...I find that almost impossible to be the All-In price for everything you need to make a complete sidecar, the attachments to your bike, including the subframe, and the labor involved, and to install a trail reducing triple trees on your bike, including labor.
I do not want to "correct" anyone at TSC, as I have no doubt that they are competent and know their business, however I have a feeling you were quoted a price for simply the sidecar, and nothing else, or the sidecar, and attaching it to your bike, but nothing else.
Meaning, YOU need to be aware, and informed, so that YOU can ask all the pertinent questions, and get an All-In price for everything, beginning to end, including all labor, taxes, etc.
Now, I know that TSC/DMC manufacturers a lower priced sidecar than say...Hannigan, or LBS, or even Champion, but there are costs to be considered that are extremely doubtful that were included into the quote you received.
Fourth, that 2015 Wing w/Hannigan GTL sidecar at the dealer in Ohio, is not only overpriced...for what they are selling, but it also has "some" issues, as I have pointed out to another couple that contacted me regarding THAT specific sidecar rig. This other couple, that I met at the National Sidecar Rally in Maine, this past June, may in fact "possibly" buy that 2015 Wing with Hannigan GTL sidecar at the dealer in Ohio, only because they know that MY 2015 Wing w/Hannigan GTL sidecar has already been promised to someone else and a deposit received from this other person. They would have preferred my sidecar rig, hands down, but since it is off the table, they may have to go with the backup plan, and make improvements to it, as I suggested to them.
Frankly, and this is my opinion, I would caution you in buying a $ 30k priced rig, as your first sidecar. There is far too much unknown to you, and that is a huge investment on an unknown. Many of us have found that baby-steps is the best wat to get into sidecars. Start with a completed, road test, road ready rig that is less than $ 10k, and either MAKE it your own by way of improvements, adding this or that, or....upgrade to a better rig (for you two) only after the first sidecar rig PROVES to you that this is your new THANG, and that sidecaring works well for both of you.
I can tell you, that buying a 1995 Goldwing w/California Friendship ll sidecar for under $ 10k will never lose money in the first 2 or 3 years. It is EASY to resell that rig for the same money in the first few years...IF you decide to upgrade, or add a sidecar to your 2005 Wing.
Two Million Mile Rider
Exploring the World in Comfort
OK, second post so I can show some photos. Not sure what "monkey" means? I've been riding - mostly solos and mostly British bikes - for around 60 years and currently have a Norton Electra which I have finally got starting and running to my satisfaction, the B'Zuki which I have been riding as a solo, and am half way through restoring a 1948 BSA C11 250cc lightweight.
I've decided to build an outfit as bikes seem to get heavier and harder to hold up these days! I did look at trikes - either badly built, far too expensive or grotesque - and often all of these - then looked at modern sidecar outfits - there are some lovely ones around but most seem built for speed which I don't need or want. I finally realised that I had the perfect tug sitting in the garage so decided to go down that route and fortuitously was offered the Steib at a price I couldn't resist.
OK, second post so I can show some photos. Not sure what "monkey" means? I've been riding - mostly solos and mostly British bikes - for around 60 years and currently have a Norton Electra which I have finally got starting and running to my satisfaction, the B'Zuki which I have been riding as a solo, and am half way through restoring a 1948 BSA C11 250cc lightweight.
I've decided to build an outfit as bikes seem to get heavier and harder to hold up these days! I did look at trikes - either badly built, far too expensive or grotesque - and often all of these - then looked at modern sidecar outfits - there are some lovely ones around but most seem built for speed which I don't need or want. I finally realised that I had the perfect tug sitting in the garage so decided to go down that route and fortuitously was offered the Steib at a price I couldn't resist.
Ian, WELCOME to the sidecar forums. I believe you need a total of three (3) posts on here, to be able to post pictures...and pictures we want....of your Steib S500 sidecar, as they are beautiful, and of your BSA chassis that will be receiving the Suzuki DRZ400 powerplant.
The term "monkey" has been used since late 1894, when a passenger in a homemade sidecar rig driving around Toulouse, France was trying their best to stay in the sidecar, doing their best to hold on, and had to move around quite a bit to balance the weight of the sidecar rig as the driver of the rig skirted around town, in a drunken stupor, so the townspeople witnessing this mocked that the passenger moving around SO much, and trying to hold on, looked like a monkey swinging from branch to branch, when suddenly.....the wheel of the sidecar hit a small wine barrel that had been left in the roadway, and the passenger went flying out of the sidecar, and landed...with much gymnastics involved in their landing, yet...unscathed, so the onlooking townspeople all gave the passenger the name of "monkey" for their heroic acts.
Of course, this was a 'tween year, where there were no Olympics held that year, so no medals were awarded for all this...Monkey-Business.
Since that time, the passenger in the sidecar has been known as The Monkey.
One of our own members here, a distant relative of those Toulouse, France townspeople, was passed down the images that the 1894 Toulouse townspeople drew up that day, of what they saw, and he has passed those images on to us, in the form of T-Shirts, present by...Drew Baker.
Two Million Mile Rider
Exploring the World in Comfort
Wow, thanks for the information.
Chris, from Texas, not to mess with my suggestion of the 1995 Goldwing w/California Friendship ll that is for sale at $ 9,500.00,
BUT.....there is another sidecar rig that you must consider....must I say....as it is a 2005 Honda ST-1300 w/Hannigan sidecar....now listed at $ 9,500.00. He started at $11k, and is now down to a LOW price of $ 9,500.00
This is owned by a VERY accomplished sidecarist within our community, Leigh, in Eastern South Dakota, and any sidecar rig from him is worth its' weight in copper (only because gold is through the roof right now)
I contemplated buying this 2005 Honda ST-1300 w/Hannigan rig myself, but.....leaving in 2 days to fly to Europe, and will be gone for 3 months, and I am a firm believer that money talks, so the first person to offer up the money, gets the prize.
If you are interested in this 2005 Honda ST-1300 w/Hannigan sidecar rig, here is his e-mail: ltb@itctel.com
His name is Leigh, and he is VERY knowledgeable about sidecars. He can even deliver it to you, if need be, for a minimal cost.
I will say, a sidecar rig from Leigh means it has ALL been done, so you can ride, and enjoy, without the worry of it needs this, or that.
Here is a picture of that 2015 Wing w/Hannigan GTL rig for sale at the dealer in Ohio.
MY observation, and concern is...this rig was previously for sale by the owner, and his pictures showed a bike and sidecar that was covered in dust, and not cleaned up at all.....so many of us commented on the dirty rig...why not wash it, and make it more presentable?
He never sold it himself, so he either traded it in at the dealer in Ohio, or sold it to that dealer, as it now comes available to buy, from the dealer, in Ohio, and yet the previous owner lived in Florida...maybe he was a snowbird ???
My concern....thoughts that this was previously owned by someone that had the money to pay Hannigan to put it together for them, but the owner of this rig knew little to nothing about care and maintenance, so he passed it on.
Honestly, I hope I am completely wrong about that, as I know of some people that would like to buy this rig.
I will say this, this 2015 Wing w/Hannigan GTL ....CAN....be made as good as possible, in the right hands. But at $ 25,990.00, it should already be in that condition. If you, or anyone else buys this 2015 Wing w/Hannigan GTL, I can foresee that after buying it, and improving the things it needs, you will be into it right at $ 30k.
In closing, you can spend less than $ 10K to buy either a 1995 Wing w/California Friendship ll sidecar, or a 2005 ST-1300 w/Hannigan sidecar, and be ON THE ROAD immediately......or you can spend $ 30k for something like the Wing w/Hannigan GTL rig in Ohio.
Two Million Mile Rider
Exploring the World in Comfort
@chrisintx I would second the ST1300 rig from Leigh. He is a fine builder and since it is his, no concerns whatever. The ST is a great platform but a quite different ride than the 1800 Wing - sport riding position and very responsive. I know that makes it clear as mud compared to a Wing.
Illegitemi non carborundum est!
Thanks for the monkey explanation - something I hadn't heard before despite being a committed Francophile. It looks as though you folk over there have a good selection of outfits but some may struggle on our narrow roads.
Now can I attach photos yet? It seems not but now hopefully I have the rquisite 3 posts.
Ah, the memories. Circa 1976.
@miles-ladue I would certainly like to obtain his contact info.
Thanks
Des, you are going to have to help me.... you want the contact info for WHOM ?
I probably have the contact info you are looking for, but I need to know WHOM, or ...which bike/Sidecar rig you are talking about.
If you are asking about the Snake t-shirt....
Contact Andrew Baker @.... everyman07@gmail.com
Two Million Mile Rider
Exploring the World in Comfort
@miles-ladue I would certainly like to obtain his contact info.
Thanks
Going to guess this is what yo wanted for the ST1300 for sale: If you are interested in this 2005 Honda ST-1300 w/Hannigan sidecar rig, here is his e-mail: ltb@itctel
If rather you were asking about Steve’s 95 with CSC Friendship II, here’s the link to that ad from our flea market: https://sidecar.com/forum/complete-rigs-for-sale/for-sale-1995-gl1500se-with-california-friendship-sidecar/#post-92378
Illegitemi non carborundum est!
Some photos: the B'Zuki and the dismantled Steib. Plus one of me at a very early age wondering why I can't reach the gear lever on dad's Norton Model 19 outfit (very poor quality scanned print).
Well the A65 Tug is starting and rolling... Next to hook up the "Shoe" I guess thats where things will get interesting? 
Well the A65 Tug is starting and rolling... Next to hook up the "Shoe" I guess thats where things will get interesting?
Looking promising. Is that the oil in frame model? I'm interested in where / how you'll attach your mountings to the bike frame as my B'Zuki will have some similarities. So far thinking 2 split clamps on the front down tube, a plate between the swinging arm pivot and centre stand bracket for lower rear, and the diagonal seat tube for upper rear. But all hypothetical at the moment.
