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General -> Accessories.New seat - long haul passenger seat
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Topic : sidecar
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 TraderVic 
Set
Reg. Date : 02/02/2010
Posts : 274
Location : Manahawkin, NJ, United States
Posted : 10 Dec 2011 - 18:38   Post title : sidecar
 
My wife won't ride on the back, so I was thinking of adding a sidecar. I searched and there are several available. Does anyone have any experience with them and can you recommend a brand? TIA

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 Thatch 
Thor
Reg. Date : 24/06/2009
Posts : 3,655
Location : Savannah, GA, United States
Posted : 10 Dec 2011 - 19:10   Post title : Re: sidecar (Re: TraderVic)
 
Try one of these...



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 feduke 
Thor
Reg. Date : 11/08/2009
Posts : 2,441
Location : Daytona Beach, Florida, United States
Posted : 11 Dec 2011 - 02:03   Post title : Re: sidecar (Re: TraderVic)
 
Great way to ruin a wonderful bike. Feels like riding a tricycle.

 
I'm a secondhand vegetarian. Cows eat grass. I eat cows.
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 Jimbo 
Jupiter
Reg. Date : 25/01/2010
Posts : 1,032
Location : Queanbeyan, N.S.W., Australia
Posted : 11 Dec 2011 - 02:47   Post title : Re: sidecar (Re: feduke)
 
Gotta agree with you there Feduke.
I couldn't even think of putting a 'chair' on the side of a Tbird.

But, I DO LOVE sidecars; here is mine (No.15) circa 1985, racing at Mt Panorama, Bathurst NSW, in the Australian Sidecar Grand Prix. Nothing has yet given me the adrenaline rush like coming down the old Conrod Straight at 250 kph (fast for those days!) at 3" off the ground. The world sure goes past quick at that position.





Cheers

Jimbo

 
Cheers

Jimbo (Bishop)


Keep the black side trackside and the shiny side up!

Veterans MC - Federal Chapter



 Author 
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 feduke 
Thor
Reg. Date : 11/08/2009
Posts : 2,441
Location : Daytona Beach, Florida, United States
Posted : 11 Dec 2011 - 03:19   Post title : Re: sidecar (Re: Jimbo)
 
Those must be a ball. But they are designed for a specific kind of racing and they enhance performance. I don't think that can be said about any other sidecar. I'm sure you get used to a sidecar eventually but the few that I have ridden have made me feel very awkward and unstable.

The only reason I'd own one is to take a dog with me, but all the dogs I have given rides to only have 2 legs (or less in one case, but I was really, really drunk.)

 
I'm a secondhand vegetarian. Cows eat grass. I eat cows.
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 uesama56 
Set
Reg. Date : 14/10/2011
Posts : 10
Location :  Japan
Posted : 11 Dec 2011 - 09:14   Post title : Re: sidecar (Re: TraderVic)
 

TraderVic wrote:

My wife won't ride on the back, so I was thinking of adding a sidecar. I searched and there are several available. Does anyone have any experience with them and can you recommend a brand? TIA





I had driven sidecars.
Sidecars are very fantastic . But sometimes, they are dangerous, a little.
Because sidecars are asymmetrical shape,so the feeling of turning right is very different from that of turning left.

When we will turn to the side , which is fitted a (side)car, we must drive more carefully.
In the right car's case(when we ride a motorcycle, we can see a sidecar in right side),when we will turn to the right, if we grab a brake lever, the sidecar goes to the opposite side,quickly.
But in the case of turning to the left, the sidecar goes to the same-side,smoothly.

photo:EML sidecar fitted to GL1800








By using setting up parts,the frame of the car is fitted to the motorcycle.
But, setting up parts must be designed for Thunderbird. Ready-made ones are there,but a very little,perhaps.
If there aren't ready-made setting up parts, a sidecar-builder will modify them to fit to your Thunderbird.

R's fork is a specific parts for sidecars and it is better for easy control.





The steering damper must be required, if not , wobbling must be occurred.


photo: Hechard sidecar with Rocket3




photo: Armec sidecar with Rocket3





This sidecar is special version. When Special parts made by Mobec is installed, the axle in the side of car is driven with the rear wheel of motorcycle.


photo:Armec sidecar with Thunderbird




My favorite sidecars are as follows.

EML sidecars: This is popular with sidecarists in Japan.
Link
Hechard sidecars: This is rare in Japan,but it is a very good ones.
Windshield of the car is made of glass and there is a door for passenger.
Link
Armec sidecar: The models for Triumph are there. ( I'm sorry that I didn't see Armec-sidecars.)
Link
Mobec sidecars: The moders which runs with super high speed are there.
Link





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 Eskerinola 
Set
Reg. Date : 23/03/2011
Posts : 108
Location :  Argentina
Posted : 11 Dec 2011 - 10:39   Post title : Re: sidecar (Re: uesama56)
 
Hi uesama56;
I'm impressed with the level of expertise this new friend brings to the forum.

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 feduke 
Thor
Reg. Date : 11/08/2009
Posts : 2,441
Location : Daytona Beach, Florida, United States
Posted : 11 Dec 2011 - 14:26   Post title : Re: sidecar (Re: uesama56)
 
What the hell kind of front tire have you put on that poor Rocket? The hell with handling, it doesn't need a kickstand with that rubber.

 
I'm a secondhand vegetarian. Cows eat grass. I eat cows.
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 narsisco_lopez 
Thor
Reg. Date : 09/09/2010
Posts : 2,765
Location : Golden (Showers!), Colorado, United States
Posted : 11 Dec 2011 - 14:29   Post title : Re: sidecar (Re: feduke)
 
feduke wrote:

The only reason I'd own one is to take a dog with me, but all the dogs I have given rides to only have 2 legs (or less in one case, but I was really, really drunk.)




feduke wrote:

What the hell kind of front tire have you put on that poor Rocket? The hell with handling, it doesn't need a kickstand with that rubber.



That there's a car tire... and what you've gotta put on most hacks as heavy as the R3 or 'Bird if you have any hope of keeping the damned thing on the road. You and Dave should love 'em... easily get 15K miles out of them

 
2012 Storm (SOLD!)
Other Bikes:
2003 Suzuki DRZ400E (plated - my dual sport/mountain trail/camping bike)
Past Bikes:
2012 K13S
2009 KTM 990 Adventure
2010 Triumph Thunderbird 1600 (the Alien Queen)
2009 Triumph Sprint ST (another great bike!)
2007 Kawasaki ZX10R
2000 Kawasaki ZRX1100
1975 Honda SB550T "Clubman"
1981 Kawasaki KZ1000J
1985 Suzuki GS550E
1978 Yamaha 650 Special
 Author 
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 narsisco_lopez 
Thor
Reg. Date : 09/09/2010
Posts : 2,765
Location : Golden (Showers!), Colorado, United States
Posted : 11 Dec 2011 - 14:37   Post title : Re: sidecar (Re: TraderVic)
 
TraderVic wrote:

My wife won't ride on the back, so I was thinking of adding a sidecar. I searched and there are several available. Does anyone have any experience with them and can you recommend a brand? TIA


I dabbled with the idea of a sidecar... for all of a few hours till I realized that it's very easy to spend more than the cost of the bike to get a well-made hack.

I started a thread about it last year and someone posted a link to a site with several high-res photos and info of a Thunderbird converted to a hack... can't find it right now, but if I do, I'll post here for you.

Maybe you'll come to the same conclusion I did... get a fun convertible. Here's MY 'Bird's stablemate...


VERY fun in the twisties, my wife LOVES riding in it, and when she gets tired, she can nap without worrying about falling off the back Plus, we can take our beloved dog with us.

 
2012 Storm (SOLD!)
Other Bikes:
2003 Suzuki DRZ400E (plated - my dual sport/mountain trail/camping bike)
Past Bikes:
2012 K13S
2009 KTM 990 Adventure
2010 Triumph Thunderbird 1600 (the Alien Queen)
2009 Triumph Sprint ST (another great bike!)
2007 Kawasaki ZX10R
2000 Kawasaki ZRX1100
1975 Honda SB550T "Clubman"
1981 Kawasaki KZ1000J
1985 Suzuki GS550E
1978 Yamaha 650 Special
 Author 
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 TraderVic 
Set
Reg. Date : 02/02/2010
Posts : 274
Location : Manahawkin, NJ, United States
Posted : 11 Dec 2011 - 15:04   Post title : Re: sidecar (Re: TraderVic)
 
Okay, you talked me out of it.


I was thinking maybe I could set up something that was quick release- only have it attached when the wife wanted to come along. In the end, the cost is prohibitive. Unless.......I build one myself.

 Author 
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 feduke 
Thor
Reg. Date : 11/08/2009
Posts : 2,441
Location : Daytona Beach, Florida, United States
Posted : 11 Dec 2011 - 15:06   Post title : Re: sidecar (Re: narsisco_lopez)
 

narsisco_lopez wrote:


That there's a car tire... and what you've gotta put on most hacks as heavy as the R3 or 'Bird if you have any hope of keeping the damned thing on the road. You and Dave should love 'em... easily get 15K miles out of them


Yeah, on the rear. I've ridden the Rocket with a Toyo on the rear and it handled just fine and, as you say, was good for at least 15,000 miles. But on the FRONT?

 
I'm a secondhand vegetarian. Cows eat grass. I eat cows.
 Author 
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 feduke 
Thor
Reg. Date : 11/08/2009
Posts : 2,441
Location : Daytona Beach, Florida, United States
Posted : 11 Dec 2011 - 15:09   Post title : Re: sidecar (Re: TraderVic)
 

TraderVic wrote:

Okay, you talked me out of it.


I was thinking maybe I could set up something that was quick release- only have it attached when the wife wanted to come along. In the end, the cost is prohibitive. Unless.......I build one myself.


They are MUCH more complicated than that! The engineering that goes into those things is amazing. Get her a bike of her own.

 
I'm a secondhand vegetarian. Cows eat grass. I eat cows.
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 narsisco_lopez 
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Reg. Date : 09/09/2010
Posts : 2,765
Location : Golden (Showers!), Colorado, United States
Posted : 11 Dec 2011 - 15:12   Post title : Re: sidecar (Re: TraderVic)
 

TraderVic wrote:

Okay, you talked me out of it.


I was thinking maybe I could set up something that was quick release- only have it attached when the wife wanted to come along. In the end, the cost is prohibitive. Unless.......I build one myself.




 
2012 Storm (SOLD!)
Other Bikes:
2003 Suzuki DRZ400E (plated - my dual sport/mountain trail/camping bike)
Past Bikes:
2012 K13S
2009 KTM 990 Adventure
2010 Triumph Thunderbird 1600 (the Alien Queen)
2009 Triumph Sprint ST (another great bike!)
2007 Kawasaki ZX10R
2000 Kawasaki ZRX1100
1975 Honda SB550T "Clubman"
1981 Kawasaki KZ1000J
1985 Suzuki GS550E
1978 Yamaha 650 Special
 Author 
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 mjgt 
Thor
Reg. Date : 16/09/2011
Posts : 2,201
Location : North Somerset, United Kingdom
Posted : 11 Dec 2011 - 15:16   Post title : Re: sidecar (Re: narsisco_lopez)
 
They used to be popular over here in the 80's, learners could ride any size bike with one on. Saw a couple with coffins, crap for sitting upright and no weather protection but could be useful after a crash.

 
Mick . . . Keep the rubber side down!!
 Author 
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 feduke 
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Reg. Date : 11/08/2009
Posts : 2,441
Location : Daytona Beach, Florida, United States
Posted : 11 Dec 2011 - 15:37   Post title : Re: sidecar (Re: narsisco_lopez)
 
That video looks good, Nabisco, but I notice the lean to the right is severely limited. I wonder of there is a stop on there somewhere to prevent the bike from hitting the sidecar?

 
I'm a secondhand vegetarian. Cows eat grass. I eat cows.
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 narsisco_lopez 
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Reg. Date : 09/09/2010
Posts : 2,765
Location : Golden (Showers!), Colorado, United States
Posted : 11 Dec 2011 - 15:45   Post title : Re: sidecar (Re: feduke)
 
Have no idea... but having some ability to lean a hack vs. not being able to lean at all is a big improvement, IMO. Though, I'm sure a lot of the hardcore hack riders would take exception at that statement.

More info on Hacks and Hack(ers) than you'll probably ever want to know...

AdvRider.com ~ Hacks

 
2012 Storm (SOLD!)
Other Bikes:
2003 Suzuki DRZ400E (plated - my dual sport/mountain trail/camping bike)
Past Bikes:
2012 K13S
2009 KTM 990 Adventure
2010 Triumph Thunderbird 1600 (the Alien Queen)
2009 Triumph Sprint ST (another great bike!)
2007 Kawasaki ZX10R
2000 Kawasaki ZRX1100
1975 Honda SB550T "Clubman"
1981 Kawasaki KZ1000J
1985 Suzuki GS550E
1978 Yamaha 650 Special
 Author 
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 TraderVic 
Set
Reg. Date : 02/02/2010
Posts : 274
Location : Manahawkin, NJ, United States
Posted : 11 Dec 2011 - 19:04   Post title : Re: sidecar (Re: mjgt)
 
I like that.

 Author 
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 feduke 
Thor
Reg. Date : 11/08/2009
Posts : 2,441
Location : Daytona Beach, Florida, United States
Posted : 11 Dec 2011 - 19:18   Post title : Re: sidecar (Re: narsisco_lopez)
 

narsisco_lopez wrote:
More info on Hacks and Hack(ers) than you'll probably ever want to know...

AdvRider.com ~ Hacks


Anything is more than I want to know. I rode a BMW and an Electra Glide and it was horrible. Then I tried to beat a Ural into submission and it horribler! About the only thing I've handled that was worse was a camel, an elephant, a Polaris Spyder and an East German Trabant. (I'll leave that one legged girl off this list as my memory, not to mention my judgement, was somewhat clouded.)

I wish permanently attached sidecars on every Harley with loud pipes and ape hangers.

 
I'm a secondhand vegetarian. Cows eat grass. I eat cows.
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 trdutch 
Set
Reg. Date : 30/12/2010
Posts : 54
Location :  United States
Posted : 12 Dec 2011 - 20:32   Post title : Re: sidecar (Re: narsisco_lopez)
 

narsisco_lopez wrote:





Here's MY 'Bird's stablemate...


VERY fun in the twisties, my wife LOVES riding in it, and when she gets tired, she can nap without worrying about falling off the back Plus, we can take our beloved dog with us.


My bird lives next to a mini for all the same reasons except for dogs (too Big)

 
I followed the herd and I got lost,
I went my own way and now I am found.