Guzzi Content: Anybody recognize this sidecar rig? Update: FOUND IT!!!

[JC85]

I was looking through some old road trip and rally photos from when I was growing up, and started wondering if my mom's sidecar rig is still out there. The bike was, I believe, a G5, with the 2-up seat swapped out for a solo seat and tour pack, a fairing added, and a bunch of other modifications done. I'm not sure about the sidecar, though I seem to remember that it had been widened and otherwise customized during the build. The rig was built by a couple of Guzzistis from Washington state named Willie and Dean. Dean and his wife ran it for a while, then sold it to my dad, who bought it as a touring machine for my mom, so that the whole family could tour together. The first pic is from '85, back when Dean and his wife were running it. The second is from a family trip in '92. That's my sister and I in the sidecar. Anyways, I'm just wondering if anyone has any info on it. Have you ever seen it, before? Did any of you know Willie and Dean? Is the rig still running/on the road? Any info, really. I spent a lot of miles and made a lot of good memories in that sidecar during my childhood, and would love to know if it's still out there.







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[Joliet Jim]

Nice looking rig, somebody should remember it.

[JC85]

I'm definitely hoping so. So far, though, no biters here or over on Guzzitech.

[Tom]

Good luck on the hunt.   

[fotoguzzi]

Ask here,

https://sidecar.com/forum/

[daytonars97]

Looks like an EML to me.

[JC85]

Well, guys, I've found it. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like this story will have a happy ending. I'm in the process of getting in touch with the current owner. I'll post a full account with some pictures, when I talk to him.

[Tom]

Good luck!

[JC85]

Ok, guys, here we go! It turns out that, while it does involve some heartbreak, this story actually will have a happy ending!

First, a bit of extra background, since I got some more info from my dad: the bike is, indeed, a G5, and as Daytonars suggested, the sidecar is an EML. It was originally built by Dean Erickson (the same guy who made the custom Eldo fenders like the one on mine) and Willie Graham in Washington State. Dean bought the EML kit, which back in those days came with the sidecar in two separate halves, and he assembled/built/painted the entire rig with Willie. Originally, there wasn't enough room for the inside side case, but they painted it to match everything else, anyways, and Dean included it in the sale to my dad. When my dad bought it, he cut the whole rig apart and machined some slugs to weld in, in order make it wide enough to put on the other side case.

Anyways, back to the current story. This morning, I woke up to a pm from forum member Desmo. He told me that he had recently seen a rig in Florida that he was pretty sure was the one that I was looking for. He said that it was in rough shape, but he had a couple of pictures and the current owner's contact info, if I wanted then, and of course I said absolutely. Now, when he said rough shape, I'm not exactly sure what I was picturing, but it was nothing close to what I saw, when I got the pictures....








Needless to say, this was absolutely heartbreaking. Especially when he told me that it hadn't been wrecked or anything like that; it had just been left to rot. It was such a beautiful and well built rig. Why would anyone let it rot away like that?!?!

Don't worry, though; the happy part is comimg. I got in touch with the current owner. Apparently, he got it from a guy who had taken it as partial trade for some work he had done on a house. That guy gave up on it, when he couldn't get the motor to turn, and the current owner bought it from him about a year ago, for $1200. He had originally thought that he'd buy it and just sell it for parts, but on the advice of another friend, he put a little bit of work into seeing if he could free up the motor, and got it to turn.

Now, the REALLY cool part! The current owner is a Guzzisti with a disabled son, and does sidecar builds/restorations as a hobby, so that he and his son can ride together. He's currently in the process of totally restoring it, so that they can enjoy it together!!! Anyone else would have given up on this bike and either parted it out or taken it to the scrapyard, but amazingly, it ended up with someone who has both the knowledge and the will to bring it back to life! Here's a recent pic of the bike, after being reconditioned:





The tank was totally roached, so he has the Honda tank on temporarily, while he gets it into good running shape. If anyone knows where to find a good tank for it, please send me a message, so that I can get you in touch with him. His plan is for he and his son to have the entire rig back together and in as good or better shape than it ever has been, within the next 18 months. He'll be keeping me updated with pictures and info. My dad has offered to give him any information about it that he may want or need, along the way

So there it is. This has been a rollercoaster ride of a search, but it could not have possibly ended on a better note. I have so many good memories of traveling in that sidecar, and I'm happier than I can possibly express to know that it will soon be brought back to its old glory by two people who will truly love and appreciate it. I'll update this thread with pictures and progress information, as he sends it to me. Huge thanks to Desmo for the information!

[Tom]

 

[moto]

With that tank, at least he won't have people asking who made it.

[oldbike54]

 Good job JC

 Dusty

[Shorty]

  Glad someone is giving it love. No better use.

[s1120]

Tank doesn't look all that bad on there sorry to say. :)    Loose the "Honda" badge though.  Thats great that its coming back together!!!  I hope they have many long years, and many miles of enjoyment out of it.

[Stretch]

Very cool story! 

                       -Stretch

[Desmo]

[/img]

Miss my T5 EML rig. Bought from Stan's Guzzi in Gainesville!  The EML setup is world class. Had trouble insuring because there was no Guzzi T5 in their database. Built by a guy in Florida named Daniel Boone.

[JC85]

Here are a couple more good photos I found from back in it's prime.







Please excuse the quality. I'm taking pictures of old photographs with my phone.

[grdstudios@gmail.com]

The G5 Is coming along. I brought it home to go through the master cylinders, flush the brakes and straighten out the electrical

[JC85]

The G5 Is coming along. I brought it home to go through the master cylinders, flush the brakes and straighten out the electrical

Excellent! Glad to see it coming along. Also, welcome to the forum!

[drdwb]

That leading link front end is worth all the effort and money it takes to get this rig running again. Good luck.

[grdstudios@gmail.com]

The G5 is in the garage and has another project with it now They both are improving and one day will be ridden. The G5 has run and am working on making the 78 Lemans 1 run now. The G5's getting calipers from a Centauro on the front.

[Curtis Harper]

Harper's has used tanks and many other parts to fit that machine. I would love to help you out to get that bike back up and running. 816.697.3411

[ozarksguzzi]

I love stories like this. Congrats on your search and find. One cure to all that is to not sell in the first place! I bought my ‘71 V7 Special (European Ambassador) in 1976 and still enjoy it to this day. Would love to locate some of the rigs I DID part with! Again, great story

[80CX100]

Wow! So glad to see that rig end up in the right caring hands 

What a very special sidecar outfit and a story behind it 

Good luck on the build returning it to it's rightful glory.

JC, I can only imagine how heartwarming it must be to watch this unfold from afar.

Tks very much for sharing

[Huzo]

Here are a couple more good photos I found from back in it's prime.







Please excuse the quality. I'm taking pictures of old photographs with my phone.

How long had it been parked there ?
The surface rust on the disc has had time to form since it was stopped.
Irregardless (sic), what an absolutely cool story, one of the best.
If I could do the same with my GT 750 Suzuki from 1978 I’d be overjoyed.

[jrt]

What a delightful story.  I hope you (grdstudios) considers putting updates into the 'builds' section of this site.

[Tom]

If I could do the same with my GT 750 Suzuki from 1978 I’d be overjoyed.

I think my 2nd bike '72 GT750 died a long time ago.  The same with my first bike '68 T500 Titan.  Both good bikes that I put a lot of mileage on.