Ugliest Sidecar Ever Made

[Kyler]

Took it for its maiden ride today. We both survived (barely). Bucho hasn't quite got the hang of driving but he's getting there! At least he didn't kill us - there was a good 50' between us and the car that about hit us head on.

Friday we finish it up by installing the hack wheel fender and it goes home. He still needs to replace the hack shock and the rear shock on the bike. The hack shock is WAY too soft.

[Bucho]

Yeah, there is a pretty steep learning curve...

But after riding for a few miles on the backroads I felt much better and started getting the hang of it. I'm already looking at new (stiffer) springs for the hack and the rear shock. Even wallowing all over the place, I had a good time. I can't wait to get back out there this coming weekend.

[Kyler]

I can't wait to see you and Caleb doing the Shenandoah 500 next year!

[Bucho]

Originally Posted by Kyler

I can't wait to see you and Caleb doing the Shenandoah 500 next year!

Its a possibility. We'll see how it goes this winter and spring.

[bmwhacker]

What the heck....it works!

[tattoogunman]

Originally Posted by Kyler

Took it for its maiden ride today. We both survived (barely). Bucho hasn't quite got the hang of driving but he's getting there! At least he didn't kill us - there was a good 50' between us and the car that about hit us head on.

Friday we finish it up by installing the hack wheel fender and it goes home. He still needs to replace the hack shock and the rear shock on the bike. The hack shock is WAY too soft.

If I knew how to build my own sidecar and to make it pretty, I'd make fun of yours. However, I don't know how to do that, so I'm pretty damned impressed you could do it. If I could make one half as good as that I would be happy

[claude]

Ugly is cool !! Good on ya have fun.

[SloMo228]

Ugly just means you don't have to feel bad when it gets dinged up. I like it.

[kshansen]

Originally Posted by claude

Ugly is cool !! Good on ya have fun.

Too bad that wasn't true back in the late 60's when I was in High School!

I've been keeping an eye out for a utility body of some sort to put on my old XS650 outfit I use for my one mile commute to work. Would like something with a top on it to keep my lunch and work cloths from flying out on the way to the shop. I guess I could take the Sportster with the Hannigan Classic but Diane would probably shoot me!

I see lots of neat ideas but my budget is on the low side of free.

[Mr.Mellow's WildRide]

I'm no engineer, but I hope you don't have intentions of that wimpy bar being of any use whatsoever as a "roll bar"..

[Kyler]

Originally Posted by Mr.Mellow's WildRide

I'm no engineer, but I hope you don't have intentions of that wimpy bar being of any use whatsoever as a "roll bar"..

It is definitely not worthy of anything above slow speeds. But even in a moderate speed crash nothing much would help anyway. This is not intended to be a high speed cruiser. This is a back road, slow speed dual-sport rig.

its primary purpose is low speed support in a flip and to hold the storage tarp up

the original plan was for angled braces off the back. Maybe version 2 will get a better roll bar.

[DavePave]

Assuming this is your first sidecar, the nice thing though is that it is less expenxive to find out of you do or don't like sidecars this way. As opposed to buying $14K or $40K rig that you end up not using, and watching it depreciate.

That looks like a nice utility rig for the back roads - my favorites.

[XL-erate]

Originally Posted by tattoogunman

If I knew how to build my own sidecar and to make it pretty, I'd make fun of yours. However, I don't know how to do that, so I'm pretty damned impressed you could do it. If I could make one half as good as that I would be happy

Yep, that about says it all!

I agree on the hoop, at least welding in angle bracing front and rear will help. You could even make the bracing stronger than existing bar for added safety, and wall thickness is your friend there. I did understand what your reply was, but in my life I've grown far too accustomed to 'Expect the unexpected' and I personally prefer the ones that end in, "...and they LIVED, happily ever after..."!

Looks just fine, have fun with it!

[Bucho]

Originally Posted by DavePave

Assuming this is your first sidecar, the nice thing though is that it is less expenxive to find out of you do or don't like sidecars this way. As opposed to buying $14K or $40K rig that you end up not using, and watching it depreciate.

That looks like a nice utility rig for the back roads - my favorites.

Yeah, in my head I feel I will love having the sidecar. I have a small kid and a dog so Im pretty sure it will get plenty of use. But yes, its nice not to have a ton of money invested if it doesnt work out as planned.

[Bucho]

Got the fender put on the hack wheel and I brought it home today! I took a few short rides and I'm just trying to get some seat time on it. Its very odd, but I'm really enjoying it.
Some random guy stopped next to me to tell me how awesome the hack was!