Texas Side Car Company

[PJPR01]

Anyone have experience with these guys?  They're not far up the road from me in Houston, was thinking about taking a run over there next weekend and getting some ideas.

https://www.texassidecars.com/

Wondering how my Griso would do as an on/off sidecar puller....

I notice they do sidecars for Scooters too for the Vespaphiles here...

:)

[Bulldog9]

Anyone have experience with these guys?  They're not far up the road from me in Houston, was thinking about taking a run over there next weekend and getting some ideas.

https://www.texassidecars.com/

Wondering how my Griso would do as an on/off sidecar puller....

I notice they do sidecars for Scooters too for the Vespaphiles here...

:)

I too am looking at adding a side car. General Consensus is that the CARC bikes are not the best suited to adding a hack. I'm trying to decide between adding one to the Stornello TT for a URALish bike, or the Convert when I retire.  TSC is on my 'list' when I am ready, but no experience with them or their products.

[PJPR01]

Thanks Bulldog...good to know they are on your radar screen, and thanks for the info on the CARC. 

Will have to do some more research then...I'm running out of room in the garage to add a 4th bike with a sidecar!

 

[StuCorpe]

I have a Texas sidecar, the "Ranger" model on my 03 EV.  I like it quite well.  I did not mount it myself, took the bike and sidecar on a trailer down to a guy in southern Ohio to have it mounted.  Here are some pics so you can get an idea of looks when mounted.

[bigbikerrick]

I built a Guzzi California II automatic/ Texas ranger sidecar rig, a couple of years ago. You can see it on their website under Guzzi outfits. Its Red and silver . They are a decent sidecar, at a lower price point. The frame/suspension is very sturdy, but the tub itself is pretty lightweight, and thin. I had to re glass the inside/floor to make it more rigid, as the nose would flex up and down.  The owner of Texas sidecars is a nice guy. A tonti framed bike would make a better tug than a Griso, IMHO. The CARC bikes would require quite an extensive "fixture" to hook it up nicely, but Boy. oh boy, wold it be sporty!  I think the griso, would be a great tug for one of the european "leaner" sidecars, but we are talking big $$$$ here!
Rick.




how big is my computer screen

[sidecarnutz]

This JMO, but I doubt the CARC bike would take the side stresses for very long before cracking that hollow alloy rear drive in sidecar use. A Cali model is much better suited to sidecar use. I put two Ural sidecars on Cali's over the years.

[PJPR01]

I have a Texas sidecar, the "Ranger" model on my 03 EV.  I like it quite well.  I did not mount it myself, took the bike and sidecar on a trailer down to a guy in southern Ohio to have it mounted.  Here are some pics so you can get an idea of looks when mounted.

Thanks Stu...great pics!!

[PJPR01]

I built a Guzzi California II automatic/ Texas ranger sidecar rig, a couple of years ago. You can see it on their website under Guzzi outfits. Its Red and silver . They are a decent sidecar, at a lower price point. The frame/suspension is very sturdy, but the tub itself is pretty lightweight, and thin. I had to re glass the inside/floor to make it more rigid, as the nose would flex up and down.  The owner of Texas sidecars is a nice guy. A tonti framed bike would make a better tug than a Griso, IMHO. The CARC bikes would require quite an extensive "fixture" to hook it up nicely, but Boy. oh boy, wold it be sporty!  I think the griso, would be a great tug for one of the european "leaner" sidecars, but we are talking big $$$$ here!
Rick.




how big is my computer screen

Learning a lot here...thanks Rick...a leaner side car looks very cool...I wonder if those are even available here stateside...hadn't thought about it yet!  Matching the Griso would be great, it just seems like a stable platform, but I get the issue of where/how to attach is the weak point now on the CARC's...pity...I wonder if there is some work around somehow.    Just sticking my toes into the shallow end of the pool at the moment on the sidecar idea, but you know what a slippery slope it is...once the idea starts, it's hard to stop!

https://www.texassidecars.com/sidecar-gallery/moto-guzzi-sidecar/

Very nice pics!

[StuCorpe]

Bigbikerrick I like the cut down windshield on that.  It is my biggest complaint with my stock windshield, it is to tall.  I just haven't got around to trying to cut it yet.

[rudyr]

I put about 60,00 mile on one.  One a Triumph America about 20,000 miles.   then on a Harley Road Glide 40’000 miles.  Real liked it.  Don’t have a Texas car now.  Got a cozy on a Triumph SE,  soon to have a Spider on a Triumph Speed master.  Only thing  to think about is  a rake tree.  That 5 + lb.  Pull can get tiring.Rudy

[Rich A]

I have a Texas standard chair on a Jackal/Bassa hybrid. The car is a little small and light for the bike, but I am well satisfied with it (I have a car battery in it along with 20-30 lb of ballast). The leading links make steering much easier.

Rich A

[rschrum]

Anything is doable with enough money. Here is Roper's take on it.

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I would very strongly advise against puting a sidecar on ANY CARC bike. I have suggested for a while that I think that the rear suspension and swingarm are not suited to it and a couple of weeks ago this was confirmed when I bought a Stelvio that had originally been bought to me for rollerisation. It at some time in its short life had had a sidecar put on it.

On examination we found that the shock linkage 'double con-rod' also known as the dog bone was completely flogged out on the sides to the degree that there was no way for the seals to remain in place and the wishbone was cracked. Not only this but the paint around the cross tube on the frame had flaked off, presumably from the flexing imparted.

So, yes, you can fit a chair to a CARC bike but I for one would advise very strongly against it. If you want a superb sidecar tug look no further than a Cali 1100, ideally a well sorted Hydro. They are brilliant!

Pete

[PJPR01]

Thank you guys….great info here.  Ok, CARC is a no go…that may torpedo any chance of a sidecar in the garage then…I just don’t have enough space for another bike and sidecar at the moment….would have to find another place to store it.   

Well, a good excuse for a trip anyway to go visit the company and make a ride out of it….

Thanks all!

[larrys]

Have owned a couple rigs and worked on many. I wouldn't have a rig as my only machine. Need a solo to go along with the rig. JMO.
Larry

[bigbikerrick]

Bigbikerrick I like the cut down windshield on that.  It is my biggest complaint with my stock windshield, it is to tall.  I just haven't got around to trying to cut it yet.

Its real easy to make windshields for these, from 1/8" lexan. I made the shorty, for the gentleman I sold the rig to. He wanted a short w/s for his doggies.
Rick.

[rudyr]

I had a Texas side car for years, and really liked it about 60,000 miles on two different bikes.  When I sold my Road Glide with 75000 mile left the sidecar on it. Sold it to a Harley dealer for $9500  so I had to trade. Rudy

[PJPR01]

Got any pics Rudy??  That’s a lot of miles with a sidecar!!

[rudyr]

No pictures, but took to many Guzzi and nat sidecar club rally. Went by myself all over the west.  Rose and I took it up & down the dragon, Yellowstone, glacier, wis, rally & by all means Sturges.  I took it west one with out a modified tree., but after that 5 deg. Mod. Tree.  5 lb pull getter to be 15 lbs. in wind. I had the big Texas sidecar.  I think 160 lbs.  with a Harley you will need bales., to keep the car from flying.  Right now I got a 2013 Triumph Bonn. Se with a Cozy sidecar. Got my be 15, 20,000 miles on it.  And working on my new ride is a Triumph speed master( put a car tire and raked tree) on motivation, Spider( one of the last one made) sidecar. I would like to put a sidecar on a Guzzi.  Just can’t find a raked Tree or leading link front end. No pull to the right with that mod. Have fun. Rudy

[PJPR01]

That’s cool Rudy!  Wish you had that at Cedar Vale…would have made it easier for us to get all the liquid goodies from the market back to the park! You’ve covered a lot of ground with the sidecar!! Nice ride and memories!!  Thanks for the suggestions!

[rudyr]

I did, took the  Triumph, and I think Harley with Texas a long time ago. Galveston Dave took the Triumph for a little ride when we we’re down town at the museum.  I will sale the Triumph SE (she will run 92 mph when loaded down with tent and camp gear) this spring when I get the Tri. Speed master set up.  Rose and I meet a few Guzzi rides north of Huntsville Ar. at a Flash Rally one spring a few years ago. One of the guy’s said the Harley with the Texas car would blow blue flame’s out the back when I graded her down at high speed, she would run, had put a lot of money in the drive train and engine(broke two belts)Rudy

[PJPR01]

Must have missed that...now I know where Dave was getting his sidecar ideas from!  Next time!

[Guzzistajohn]

Got any pics Rudy??  That’s a lot of miles with a sidecar!!

I have a photo at home of Rudy's rig with his red healer sitting in it. Was her name Ruby, Rudy?? She was a good girl!

[Guzzistajohn]

I did, took the  Triumph, and I think Harley with Texas a long time ago. Galveston Dave took the Triumph for a little ride when we we’re down town at the museum.  I will sale the Triumph SE (she will run 92 mph when loaded down with tent and camp gear) this spring when I get the Tri. Speed master set up.  Rose and I meet a few Guzzi rides north of Huntsville Ar. at a Flash Rally one spring a few years ago. One of the guy’s said the Harley with the Texas car would blow blue flame’s out the back when I graded her down at high speed, she would run, had put a lot of money in the drive train and engine(broke two belts)Rudy

Ahhhh, Rose! She was a DANDY!!