TomCo Sidecar Restoration

[benzguzzi]

Hello! My name is Ben. I live just outside of Portland and I am the owner of a new to me 2001 California EV with a TomCo sidecar conversion. A TomCo conversion moves all of the running gear from the motorcycle to the sidecar so I am able to ride it from the sidecar, in my wheelchair.

It is a true barn find. A Guzzi friend saw it on a Texas craigslist and passed it on. It had been sitting in this guys barn for over 10 years. He parked it when he was unable to ride it anymore and she is now mine!!

In the last year and my two good able body friends have totally gone through it, cleaned it thoroughly and got her running. We are now fussing with the electric shift mechanism. It has basically shit the bed, so it will either get rebuilt or get replaced with a universal unit from Pingel.

Just wanted to say hi and introduce myself.

Arrival Day Bath - https://www.instagram.com/kallehoffman/reel/DKybgNYuJmv/
Current Status - https://www.instagram.com/p/DVIVw7xjjmL/

[TOMB]

Excellant find.

Enjoy your riding experience and memories!

Welcome to Wildguzzi and the bountiful amount information that the  members here can provide.

TOMB

[Dr. Enzo Toma]

That is a really cool conversion. Hope you're able to get it on the road soon. I was at Wheels Through Time museum in NC last year and one of my favorite bikes there is an early Harley-Davidson f-head that is sidecar-side drive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQiWvPzE-5k

[turboguzzi]

Welcome Benz!

My hat is off!

Seen one for the first time riding back from the Flat track race @Hagerstown, Maryland,  some 40 years ago.

It was based on a Harley, guy was riding alone, helmet less into the night,  impressed me to no end back then, as your does now.

May the force be with you :)

[guzzisteve]

I tuned up a friends Honda 750 back in the early 90's just to show him what a tune up feels like. 74 Honda with a rig like a TomCo. Sidecar was made by same guy that made my forks. He was handicapped himself. The Honda had the hold on bar right behind the fuel tank for a passenger. I sat on a folding chair for the test ride, pretty cool stuff. The dealer was stroking him for the tune up. I was teaching sidecar training at the time at a local college plus at BMW rallies in N.IL. I will get a steering arm set up when I can't ride anymore. I never get to ride in my hack all these years only 1 time at the sidecar rally my friend Kurt who built my sidecar took the bars so I could enjoy the hack on way to dinner.

[drdwb]

I never get to ride in my hack all these years only 1 time at the sidecar rally my friend Kurt who built my sidecar took the bars so I could enjoy the hack on way to dinner.

Funny thing about this, I’ve had a side car rig since 1996, I’ve given several rider friends rides in it, besides our kids,dog and wife, but have never had the opportunity to be taken for a ride. Probably cus I tell my friends about the learning curve,they love the ride but are reluctant to drive. Maybe I’ll try to beg a ride from Chris Collins at the Wisc rally this year.

[DoubleGuzzi]

Given the side of the road that you drive, I'm surprised that the sidecar isn't on the opposite side, to give the driver/rider a better view of the road.
Wonderful engineering going on there. 

[SIR REAL ED]

Very cool.  Super unique!!!

Please don't let me down by not implementing some Bat Cycle styling.

At the very least maybe a small salamander heater on the back for jet assisted boost and to keep the tailgaters off your ass!

Maybe a stereo to play the Batman theme song at 180 decibels.... 

https://13thdimension.com/an-original-1966-batcycle-is-restored-to-its-former-glory/

[Frulk]

I have a buddy that’s in a wheelchair. Please be sure to post up a video of this rig running on the road once it’s done. I would love to forward the link to him so he can view it.