Welcome back Rodney
Hmm pulling to the left you say, I knew there was something wrong with my rig.
Thanks. Hopefully I will be able to post a Pic of my ride before too long.
First post so I can’t post any pictures. I decided to get into sidecars because of the desire to prolong my ability to ride motorcycles as I age. Knowing it is harder to learn as we age I decided to start out with a rig about five years ago. Having experience in the past as an MSF instructor I recognize the importance of training so before purchasing my first rig I took a class for riding a sidecar. Experienced flying the car and hitting a cone with the third wheel fender plus much more. I thought it was a very valuable experience and gave me the learning experience to give me the confidence I needed and saved me from possibly damaging my on rig. I am a fan of both Harley’s and BMW’s for very different reasons. The first rig I purchased already pre-owned a 2002 Harley Heritage Springer with a Liberty side car. The second I purchased new a BMW R18 Classic with a Watsonian Squire Grand Prix. I have just turned 70 and I hope I really don’t need them for at least 10 years but with the god lord willing I will be ready when the day comes that I am not comfortable on two wheels. I think you folks will enjoy the pictures when I am able to post them.
Welcome, William! Entice us with a couple of anecdotes about your journey, then photos will be that much more fun!
Illegitemi non carborundum est!
@thane-lewis After thinking of your request one thing that comes to mind is the attention from the public a sidecar gets. They are rare and an oddity for most people. Folks that don’t even like motorcycles are attracted to them. My passengers always get asked what’s it like to ride in it and if she likes it. I think people who would never ride on a motorcycle somehow feel they could find the courage to ride in a sidecar and are intrigued and curious about them.
Hi all! Arno, 73 retired French mechanic living in Ecuador, trying to realise an old dream, discover THE states!
My Wishlist
Sisu.
Hurry up Arno.
Time is short.
So much to do and so little time.
Oops 666 .???
Do you read your bible?
At 71 I know most is behind me now.
Things are slowing... mine... while things around me are faster now.
I have things I want to do and things I need to do.
Riding sidecars on grand adventures is important to do sort of a want/need.
So hurry.
On another note perhaps you could get Ural to sponsor you with one of their new Chinese sidecars?
Take it on a grand tour for them?
@trespatas Hey Arno, maybe post a little more about how you want to tour the US, especially what type of roads/riding.
I know your interest in building a Bandit; is the desire primarily street riding, or are you also looking to build for off road as well?
There have been some nice road rigs turning up here, for sale, already built up. Offroad capable, not as often.
Oops 666 .???
Do you read your bible?
At 71 I know most is behind me now.
Things are slowing... mine... while things around me are faster now.
I have things I want to do and things I need to do.
Riding sidecars on grand adventures is important to do sort of a want/need.
So hurry.
On another note perhaps you could get Ural to sponsor you with one of their new Chinese sidecars?
Take it on a grand tour for them?
t'was a joke 😀 ....
At 73 myself I understand what you mean, no time to waste, I'll do my best....
No Ural.....I had my share when I was young, they were chip, scattered everywhere in the country, unreliable for sure but hey, worst would have been nothing!
Hurry....remind me a pilot saying during a pit service: "take your time I am in a hurry"
Hi Dane,
sure, I am used to drive along, no matter the play ground, everything is fun, mud/sand/snow/tarmac/gravel, adapt....I believe....
The bandit? What can I say? "Love story" I guess!
However, as brstr said, aging and time prevails; conclusion, I will do asap, no matter the bottle as long as the wine is tasty 😎!
I must choose a setup that I can manage without "struggling", as always, one thing is what I think I can do and the other is what I can really achieve. So Drivetest and feeling will be my choice, looking for osmosis, so to speak.
As for the trip itself, I would like to discover the country through the inmates eyes; their favorite tracks, the places where they like to stop and watch, you know....
I always enjoy watching the pictures and the writing, trying to imagine what they didn't mention but things the pictures tells...
For example:
Hello, Keith here, met a bunch of people at the rally back in August. Finally sitting down to post some pictures of Kyro the doggy copilot, but I need 3 posts...
I am Keith, 31, full time traveling with truck + toy hauler with my 2004 BMW 1150 GSA + Ural Sidecar in the back. Started this setup end of May this year from Austin TX now by Ellsworth Maine. Truck/Tow about 2500 miles day trip with the bike around 7k miles, 16 camps along the way unloading and loading the rig to daytrip.
Heading into New Brunswick/Nova Scotia maybe Prince Edwards Island next month with just the bike and dog.
Welcome Keith
I think we should call you Keith Youngblood the future of sidecars. 
Look forward to posts and pictures.
Hi Dane,
After reading a lot of useful information's, I am now able to answer about the Bandit building, with one single word: CELLPHONE.
When travelling you will have to rely on yourself or on a cell phone; cell phone allows you to ask for help, been mechanical, logistic, medical, anything in fact. But this is true in the US where (probably so) everything work as it should!
In other countries it not so obvious to say it softly; for many years now, suzuki, been GSF, GSX, Bandit, I have always been able to return home, except one broken engine (my fault), I know them from top to bottom, it may take some time to fix yes, but I will be able to "carry on", and finally, I very much enjoy the engine response under any load condition and this is why I like them.
My build has a little plus:
In that case I towed my friend back home, but if the trouble would have been on my bike HE would have pushed me back home, or, to any place to repair safely, this include brake troubles. Sometimes there are places where you just don't want to stay too long! This way, is safe, even in case of a flat tyre (rear or front), just tow and leave the horrible place 
!
Mono el mono has many friends if you see what I mean, this small bike is a good choice for a light rig in my opinion.
So back to my project and first lesson, yes I can look for another bike, and reading my whish list, it could well be an Africa twin.....leaving apart the fitting troubles you have experimented, the bike seems to have been very reliable; as for the sidecar, a platform is my choice because I can bolt on it any rack to address a specific need, from a cargo box to a super comfortable rally car seat for the passenger, kind of "plug and play"!