Don't know why I didn't see this sooner, but found it via a linky in another thread. Anyway, my rig is an 07 R1200GA Adventure with a DMC M72D sidecar. Total build cost is right around $25K including the price of the used scooter, side car, and accessories/upgrades (car tire conversion, trail reducer, lower gear ratio final drive).
1974 BMW R75/6 American spirit eagle sidecar from the same year. BMW $2000, sidecar $650 Craigslist, front DMC subframe. $250 misc $300 $3200 total. - lots of fun..
1992 BMW K100RS w/EZs sidecar conversion. Found on IBMWR site for $8000. Not bad I thought. After a few miles of fun water/oil pump needed rebuilt. A few more and time for eng. & trans. oil seals to prevent continued oiling of clutch plate. This is my 3rd "K" bike so I knew what to do. Labor intensive jobs - glad I have time & space to do my own maintenance. And save a lot of my hard earned and currently in short supply cash.
I NEVER thoght of going that route with my 79 CB750F/SS, but, I LIKE IT! Lucky man, good looking bike and wife.
2007 Harley XL1200R Roadster bought with 4,000 miles = $6,000 DMC Sportster subframe, Kenna rolling chassis, struts and miscellaneous fittings, and shipping = about $2,700 Currently building a tub. With all materials, including fiberglass, gel coat, and paint, I estimate maybe another $600 - $800. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/34068258@N02/7967935146/" title="Rolling2 by ag_streak, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8322/7967935146_79523cc7b4_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Rolling2"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/34068258@N02/7967937180/" title="Rolling4 by ag_streak, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8436/7967937180_fa09cb4b08_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Rolling4"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/34068258@N02/8056865144/" title="Framed_3 by ag_streak, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8173/8056865144_2b3bcfcbfc_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Framed_3"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/34068258@N02/8056863213/" title="Framed_1 by ag_streak, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8457/8056863213_19e11770f4_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Framed_1"></a>
Ag Streak, I see that you have fiberglass listed, but the tub looks pretty nice in ply! Is that a mold, or will you glass over the wood? Can't wait to see where this goes. I've been thinking of old aircraft construction for a tub, wooden framework and doped fabric. Or canoe-like, with ply bulkheads, wood strips, and glass over the wood. And in a straight-up thread redirection, can I get some opinions about whether crashworthiness is a consideration in a tub? It seems like not so much, much like a motorbike itself.
I am following ag_streak build and am considering going the same route. A couple of years ago I built a canoe using the "stitch and glue" method. It turned out great! Very strong and light. Basically with the stitch and glue method you hold together the shell with light gauge copper wire (stitch) and then bind it all together with epoxy and fiberglass cloth. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stitch_and_glue http://www.clcboats.com/default/stitch-and-glue-boat-building.html
Thanks, guys... Not a mold. I'm going to have it glassed right over the structure you see. I spoke to a friend in the boat building trade yesterday, and he's going to do it for me. When I finish the framing, I'll drop it off with him. He's going to use WEST-like epoxy inside and out (same stuff but a different brand he recommends), tape all the seams inside, wrap it in a layer or two of cloth on the outside, and either gelcoat or Imron it gloss black. A couple of thoughts... I think crash worthiness will be adequate. The glass cloth will provide containment if it ever crashes with enough force to smash the wood. I'm not worried. Also, I thought about the strip-building technique too, and I think it would be beautiful to leave it bright-finished, but both it and stitch and glue would result in a really LIGHT structure. I WANT the weight so I don't have to engineer in any ballast.
Sounds like a great plan. I've got the technology for woodworking and some experience with fiberglass, not so much equipped to weld. I've been thinking about the crash thing, and I've decided that the best I can really hope for in a practical sense is to avoid causing the occupant more injury than they'd have if they were on the back of the bike. Thinking back to Senna's crash I'll pay special attention to keeping the struts, etc. from going through the tub. That could be messy.
2005 1200 sportster $6000.00. sideffects custom sidecar $6500.00, about $2000.00 worth of extra,s and still going
