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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: frans belgium on July 03, 2017, 10:29:17 AM

Title: Getting used to my sidecar
Post by: frans belgium on July 03, 2017, 10:29:17 AM
Last month I bought a sidecar from the widow of a much too soon deceased Guzzi friend.
The rig took me some time to get used to (for those who think driving a sidecar is easy: It is NOT, not even with many years of driving a motorcycle under the belt).
Now I'm starting to get the trick - thing now is getting not too confident, these rigs CAN be lethal.
Anyway, decided not to post any pictures untill I really wanted to keep it.  Which now I do. So here's a picture.  And yes, my friend was a
Jack Daniels fan.  Decided to keep the painting in his honour.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/tw83m3vu5tsdlfz/20170703_164136.jpg?dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/s/tw83m3vu5tsdlfz/20170703_164136.jpg?dl=0)
Title: Re: Getting used to my sidecar
Post by: AJ Huff on July 03, 2017, 10:38:48 AM
Nice! I'd love to have that set up.

-AJ
Title: Re: Getting used to my sidecar
Post by: twowings on July 03, 2017, 10:39:59 AM
I like it! Please be careful for the first 100,000 miles... :thumb:
Title: Re: Getting used to my sidecar
Post by: Sasquatch Jim on July 03, 2017, 10:42:01 AM
 Now that is the way to ride a Guzzi.
Title: Re: Getting used to my sidecar
Post by: guzzimatic on July 03, 2017, 11:01:48 AM
An 1100 Breva for a tug,looks well set up! There must be a lot of support structure added to hang the chair...
Title: Re: Getting used to my sidecar
Post by: Nick on July 03, 2017, 12:03:03 PM
I like it! Please be careful for the first 100,000 miles... :thumb:
:1: :thumb:
Title: Re: Getting used to my sidecar
Post by: Yukonica on July 03, 2017, 12:43:24 PM
Wow! just: Wow!
Sorry about how you acquired it but you probably helped her out and you now have a beautiful rig.
Title: Re: Getting used to my sidecar
Post by: tazio on July 03, 2017, 12:55:42 PM
Are you kidding me?!! It's a beauty!!!
Had a hack on my Sportster for a few years, " the ultimate compromise" as they're referred to.
Had a blast and would not have missed that opportunity for the world!
Title: Re: Getting used to my sidecar
Post by: Rich A on July 03, 2017, 01:41:18 PM
Looks like a nice rig. The one thing I'd check is the turn signals. It looks as though the front right signal is still in place--it, and the right rear, probably should just be removed. Maybe the bulbs have been removed, but if not, the blinking arrangement will be confusing to other motorists.

Rich A
Title: Re: Getting used to my sidecar
Post by: bigbikerrick on July 03, 2017, 02:21:49 PM
Awesome looking rig! It looks like it was set up for speed.  I wish I had that front suspension on mine..... :thumb:
Enjoy!
Rick
Title: Re: Getting used to my sidecar
Post by: Tom on July 03, 2017, 02:35:57 PM
Very nice!  :1:   :1: on the right turn signal.  Suggestion on the panniers.  Leave them off unless on a long trip that way you'll use the hack for storage when hauling stuff.  Weight distribution.
Title: Re: Getting used to my sidecar
Post by: Chuck in Indiana on July 03, 2017, 03:22:35 PM
It's a beauty. That's quite an involved sub frame. Hard to tell what the top front mount is hooked to.. but looks like the builder knew what he was doing.
Quote
thing now is getting not too confident, these rigs CAN be lethal.
:1: As long as you realize that, there's no need to preach about what evil they have up their sleeve.. :smiley:
Title: Re: Getting used to my sidecar
Post by: Lannis on July 03, 2017, 07:29:58 PM
Last month I bought a sidecar from the widow of a much too soon deceased Guzzi friend.
The rig took me some time to get used to (for those who think driving a sidecar is easy: It is NOT, not even with many years of driving a motorcycle under the belt).
Now I'm starting to get the trick - thing now is getting not too confident, these rigs CAN be lethal.
Anyway, decided not to post any pictures untill I really wanted to keep it.  Which now I do. So here's a picture.  And yes, my friend was a
Jack Daniels fan.  Decided to keep the painting in his honour.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/tw83m3vu5tsdlfz/20170703_164136.jpg?dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/s/tw83m3vu5tsdlfz/20170703_164136.jpg?dl=0)

That looks like a very nicely designed and executed outfit.

I would think that, as sidecars go, that it could be set up to steer very neutrally, to track straight and smooth, and (especially with that Earle's fork) to be easy to turn.   

Lannis
Title: Re: Getting used to my sidecar
Post by: Pop on July 03, 2017, 08:43:47 PM
Just be really careful on right hand curves. I was told that tapping the rear break will bring down the hack. Oh yeah, watch parking the rig, gave my own truck a road rash.
Does your hack have a stabilizer? Pics did not come through.  Good luck and ride careful.
Title: Re: Getting used to my sidecar
Post by: Penderic on July 03, 2017, 09:03:39 PM
That is a very nice looking rig!  :thumb:

Good Old Number Seven Song .....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vedgTokXj04

Title: Re: Getting used to my sidecar
Post by: Perazzimx14 on July 03, 2017, 09:52:22 PM
That s a nice looking rig. Would like to add a LL to my DR650 rig someday.
Title: Re: Getting used to my sidecar
Post by: Shorty on July 03, 2017, 11:18:21 PM
Oh that is sweet! The car looks a little light for the bike. Make sure you have plenty ballast in the car when driving w/o passenger. Congrats!
Title: Re: Getting used to my sidecar
Post by: frans belgium on July 04, 2017, 01:45:51 AM
Thanks for all the nice comments.
Yes, I hate the way I got the tug, my friends' photo is still on my desk.
I do think the builder knew what he was doing, it drives quite neutral, especially with the front fork and car tyres. The car is too light though, so I put some extra weight (25 kg) which is not enough, I need to double it.
To all of the people that think that driving a side car is easy: it is NOT.  These things want to go all over the place.  Playing with the throttle and brakes PERHAPS keeps it in place.  Omg, this is FUN!
Title: Re: Getting used to my sidecar
Post by: Tom on July 04, 2017, 04:48:09 AM
All the fun of riding a bike and more.   :thumb:
Title: Re: Getting used to my sidecar
Post by: wrbix on July 04, 2017, 05:31:49 AM
It is not easy, and not at all like steering a motorbike. I liken it to more like driving a tractor at highway speed; great fun tho. Have fun