Follow along Sidecar project

[Smitty901]

The cost. The sidecar it's self was ordered with every option so the base price jumped fast. But they were worth it the ECC is smooth. The hack painted as I wanted it and the lower seam filled and painted rather than trim came to $10,487. half of that was the options and the paint. That included shipping.

Doing the Trike front end and modifying the Faring mounts came to $3,300. Well worth it for me the bike does fine with the hack or with out. The install alone with doing brake system flush, new brake pads front and rear and some fab work to move the right side passenger foot board where I wanted it came to $865. So some of the cost are really not billable to the sidecar but it was smart to do it. $14,652. Surprising but I figure right on budget even with the additions I made.

We all know many sidecar rig can have a slight wobble at low speed. I tried to make it do on some bad roads , it would not. At any speed one hand is all that is need on the bars.

The way the mounts can out , wife can still ride on the bike . Hannigian's front mounts went right on with no changes to the lowers with the radiators in them. They said it would be a direct bolt on and it was.

It is a hack and it is a big one but sure does not act like a big one. When the road changes to a real low shoulder side the ECC allows you to adjust on the go. The convertible top, has a fiberglass panel in the top All well made. Also you do not have to remove or unfasten the top to get in or out. It moves with flip up hack. The quick disconnect for the brake system allows for easy removal of the sidecar. The cup holder is a must have IMO as is the 2 USB ports and 12 accessory socket. The 34 inch seat tilts and moves. the Disk brake seems to work well so far.

Few things I want to do yet. I run a BAL tail light on the bike. I will swap the one on the sidecar out to a BAL simple to do . The alloy rim Will get some paint tricks that will match it to the bikes wheels. With the lights that are on the bike, the Spoiler light on the sidecar and the tail light the back end is lit up well.

Payton does not have school tomorrow teacher day to get things done with no children around. We are going for a ride.

Thanks to all on the forum that gave their input. Valuable information that brought up many question that needed answering on the path. It has been an adventure and education. Going from the simple basic Velorex to this is a major change.

[Smitty901]

49-51 degrees this morning with a range from misting to pouring rain. Payton and I decided to ride any way and go for breakfast . She teased me a bit that she did not need a rain suit with the top on. Ride went well we missed the down pour just had mist and some light rain.

Payton reported the it rode a lot smoother and was quieter than the other one. She really like the vents in the convertible top and the seat. I liked not having to remove the top to get her in. It flips up with the shell.

The 34 inch seating was a lot of room for her to slide around so a couple pillows fixed that until the parts to make a chest harness get here . So as far as Payton sees it the New one i a thumbs up.

Wife in put. She likes the looks and color. She was also impressed with how well the back end was lit up. She noted the small white light to the front was bright. She is also happy with the results.

The ride in the rain gave me a chance to get a feeling for how it handles on wet roads and it is all good.

With a Trike download in the ECM for it to start in gear I have to hold the front brake at the same time. On the newer bikes once the tip is turned off the red light stay on. Minor thing. The only way that can be stopped is replace ECM with a trike one. $380 plus 1/2 hour labor for the install. I will decide on that latter. I have a BAL tail light on the bike and will swap out the one on the side car to match. The ECC electric camber control is cool. It is not jumpy as some I have seen, operates smooth and quiet. It is effective if road drops off to the right hit the switch car comes up and away you go with out stopping. No slop with this setup not a sound out of it even on rough roads . It is wide but visibility is good , adapting to the width has been easy.

It does not take long to notice the decrease in fuel mileage. I can't give you a number yet but it is lower. Depending on the Fall weather I want to take it to the West side of the state that will be a good test for it. For now Payton and I will run around with it . Like any new bike time exposes things you may like more or less.

[Tramp]

Congratulations, on completing your well planed project.its a beautiful machine. Well done.

[Smitty901]

I want to thank Stacebg . Your input gave me a lot of things to look at and influenced the path we took. If I ever get over your way lunch is on me.

[stacebg]

I want to thank Stacebg . Your input gave me a lot of things to look at and influenced the path we took. If I ever get over your way lunch is on me.

more than happy to help

glad some of my trials and tribulations could be of some help to someone else

[Smitty901]

In and out of rain I have put 400 miles on it now. Today for a bit had dry roads so I go a bit aggressive with it. It does not seem to mind being pushed

[Smitty901]

more than happy to help

glad some of my trials and tribulations could be of some help to someone else

A project like this is not cheap to do right. To end up with a rig that works for you requires some home work, even when you have some experience with a sidecar. You gave me a lot to look at and dig into. your input was reason I wanted the front end done ahead of time . If it did not work as planned there would be time to take a new course.

I can ride been at it a long time and had considered just doing the car and stay with factory front end at first . Then make any changes needed. If was a bit hard to steer I could deal with it.

Again you had a lot to do with me going the other way and doing the front in right away . It worked out best. With winter coming and the things we have planned it will be awhile before I remove the sidecar. Who knows I may not want to. So far I like this setup and wife can ride on the bike with it attached. If I want two wheels I can always ride my Fatboy

[Dave59]

Hey Smitty, I'm pretty sure I saw you at lunch yesterday in Beaver Dam. I wish I would have had time to visit, I was on my way to a job site. The bike and sidecar look great!!

[stacebg]

A project like this is not cheap to do right. To end up with a rig that works for you requires some home work, even when you have some experience with a sidecar. You gave me a lot to look at and dig into. your input was reason I wanted the front end done ahead of time . If it did not work as planned there would be time to take a new course.

I can ride been at it a long time and had considered just doing the car and stay with factory front end at first . Then make any changes needed. If was a bit hard to steer I could deal with it.

Again you had a lot to do with me going the other way and doing the front in right away . It worked out best. With winter coming and the things we have planned it will be awhile before I remove the sidecar. Who knows I may not want to. So far I like this setup and wife can ride on the bike with it attached. If I want two wheels I can always ride my Fatboy

again.. glad to help

built my 1st trike in 79 t500 with most no rake so it was fine 2nd around 90 it had a lot of rake ... local sidecar people told me about the leading link.... i tried to pass that on to brothers of the 3rd wheel trikers...... thought i was crazy eventually they figured it out lol

[Smitty901]

Hey Smitty, I'm pretty sure I saw you at lunch yesterday in Beaver Dam. I wish I would have had time to visit, I was on my way to a job site. The bike and sidecar look great!!

Mischler's mounted it for me and did the front end work. They done good everything right the first time.

Live out side Lowell on our farm give me a yell some time.

left out this morning a couple hours before sun up round trip to the Dells. Wife and mother in law there for the week. MIL forgot her meds. took the sidecar and made the trip. Not the first time it has happened.

[Smitty901]

Few trips back and forth to Wisconsin Dells and some running around. It adds up 700 miles on it now. Have taken it to 90 MPH and held it there. Cursed with traffic at 80-85 for a good distance all good. Mother in law is 87 she took a good ride in it around the dells this morning.

Wife enjoyed riding in and then we tried it with her on the bike once again all went well After I left the Dells heading home I did take the long way and ended up riding most of the day.

[Smitty901]

Just for information. When the trike download is done it turns off tip shut down. , it also acts like a Trike on start up the front brake must be held to start in gear. The Red warning light will stay on when bike is turned on . HD will not allow it to be disabled due to liability issues. It has no effect on the bike being on. The only way to get rid of it is you spend $380 and 1/2 labor to switch out ECM to a Trike ECM. I see no reason. This is the case of all newer Bikes.

[Smitty901]

Purchased a mid size wheel chair today and some parts for one. The goal is to get a chair to fit in the sidecar. The foot rest on this are not for this chair a little re-engineering and it works. Latter the foot rest will be replaced with ones off a Motorcycle. The Dog helped. The wheel come off and go in the trunk the chair folds and now fits behind the seat. Payton's is getting to big to carry around and the stroller we used she has outgrown . The chair she uses most and for school will not fit it just does not get small enough . So far looks like it will work.

Done for now. More mod's latter. The wheels fit in the trunk. The Foot rest just slip off and the Chair goes in behind the seat. About 21 pounds vs 47 pounds for her normal chair.

[Smitty901]

Few more mods to the Wheel chair. Trimmed 1/2 inch off the hand holds. Just gives a little more clearance when in the sidecar. The brake levers stuck out an inch farther than they needed to. Made my own spacers and moved then in about 3/4 of an inch. They work as they should. Now it fits with ease behind the seat.

[Smitty901]

Grandma 87 went for a good ride around Wisconsin Dell this week.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/NdR3jZ]

[url=https://flic.kr/p/29dzqDo]

It does look big from the back in pictures.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/NdR5xX]

[Smitty901]

Using some parts designed for a wheel chair Payton and I made a harness to assist her sitting up straight in the new sidecar. It works. Now we will put some miles on it and see if any improvements are needed.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2bYCJab]

[Peter A.]

You are a VERY TALENTED & DEDICATED MAN, my hat is off to you SIR!

[Smitty901]

The back end is lit up well day or night.

BAL tail light on the bike

bag filler lights are run ,turn and brake

Lower fender tip run and brake

Tourpack lights run and turn

Sidecar has tail light and turn signal ( the tail light will be changed to a BAL)

Spoiler is a Brake light also.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2cceDie]

The front end is lit up well also

[url=https://flic.kr/p/PWiKh5]

[Smitty901]

Just over 2,500 miles on it now mixed riding. Weather has been 30-40 degrees, but for me not bad riding. The grandchildren love the new one. The more I ride , the more I know it was a good call.

[Smitty901]

Winter is creeping in snow on the ground this morning. had a nice ride yesterday. At the 3,000 mile mark, all is good. Seems the forum has few visitors. We need to spark interest in sidecar.

I get a lot of question. from people , and that presents a chance to explain some of the myths about safety with a sidecar.

Heading out in a bit to ride it in the snow some.