Sidecars

[Poppy]

Why doesn't the MOA have a Sidecar forum? I am a novice with my sidecar, and could benefit from the membership's experience. I have read from other sites, which has been helpful. What do you say?

[jewels]

Why doesn't the MOA have a Sidecar forum? I am a novice with my sidecar, and could benefit from the membership's experience. I have read from other sites, which has been helpful. What do you say?

Hey Remus,
I drive a R100/ with a EML attached...alot of people think that sidecar's aren't really "motorcycles".
I have other 2 wheeled R's, but every once in a while I take the EML just for the FUN of it. Been driving it for 25years...sooo if there is a specific question or area your wondering about, just ask.
:bikes

[PSanborn]

I thought there was a sidecar thread here somewhere.
Was it deleted?

Pete

[sdpc2]

has a dedicated sidecare forum. Lots of VERY dedicated people there. And piks from around the world. :eat

[lkchris]

Maybe because since the end of the /2 models, BMW has specifically stated the following models are not suitable for sidecar use.

Think you can get what you want, then, in a vintage forum.

[jewels]

:confused:Maybe because since the end of the /2 models, BMW has specifically stated the following models are not suitable for sidecar use.

Think you can get what you want, then, in a vintage forum.

There are hundreds of BMW's after /2 that are running around with sidecars attached. Since when does BMW dictate to MOA what they can set UP?

[20774]

Since when does BMW dictate to MOA what they can set UP?

Kent probably has that info, too, but I found the service bulletin issued in May 1985. It states that the bikes are not designed for adding a side car or even a trailer. They will have a negative influence on the stability of the bike and will affect its safety. Not that it affects any of our bikes, but any damage caused by them will not be covered under warranty.

That said, many people do put sidecars on Airheads. But the ones I've seen or heard about have made major changes in the front suspension and done additional stiffening to the frame. So, it's not a simple bolt-on accessory...one really needs to go about it correctly.

[bunkyone]

Hey all; Last year I had contemplated installing a sidecar on my R90. After talking it over with someone who does alot of this sort of thing. (Bob Warks in Marietta Ohio) I decided it would be cost prohibitive. Mucho mods required to do it RIGHT, as the (if memory serves) the rear sub frame would need a fair bit of reinforcement. Decided against the conversion. Later found a good deal on a '82 Yamaha 750 already set up with a Velo side car and (best of all) CHEAP! Much better, and I get to keep the R90 for my solo rides. By the way, the better half absolutely loves the side car!!! (It even came with a convertible top for those less then perfect days ) Vaya con Dios, Dutch

[jewels]

When I put my side car rig together, it was with the idea of continuing to motorcycle even though we were new parents.(1982)

I found a wrecked R100/rt 1980, and saved the electrics, engine,tranny, drive,handle bars and tank. I then bought an EML kit out of Europe. It had a new frame(so similiar to the orginal BMW frame that out State Motor Veichle had no problem calling it a BMW). This came with new wheels, earls fork, new brakes for all 3 wheels ect. 28 years later it is still a joy to drive.
I used to get advice from "ST. Louis Sidecar", don't know what ever happened to them?:ear
Now I can always call Bud @ Nickwackett Garage and he knows it all, unbelievable source.

[pmdave]

Yep, most motorcycle manufacturers proscribe sidecars, trikes, and trailers. Attaching a sidecar will very likely void your new bike warrantee.

More to the point, attaching a sidecar changes the handling dynamics from "two wheel" to "three wheel" which means you need to unlearn a bunch of two wheeler habits and learn a bunch of three-wheeler skills. Fortunately, there is a book available, Driving A Sidecar Outfit" by the Sidecar Safety Program. Available from Printwerk Graphics at 800 736-1117.

This is a complete "teach yourself" textbook. The second edition now includes chapters on advanced driving skills and assembling a rig, complete with pictures and detailed illustrations. If you're thinking about a sidecar outfit, this book was written for you.

Second, there is a training course available through many state training programs. Sidecar/Trike Education Program (S/TEP). For info, contact the Evergreen Safety Council in Seattle at www.esc.org or 800 521-0778. My advice: take the course before you do anything more. You'll get some hands-on experience driving a training rig that will help you decide whether this is your future or something you'd prefer to avoid.

It's true that many of today's motorcyclists don't know their history, and typically don't realize that back in the 1920s about 4 out of 5 motorcycles had sidecars atached. If you only know today's motorcycling, you may not realize that it's state law that defines "motorcycle" not rider opinion. So, yes, there are three-wheeled motorcycles and two-wheeled motorcycles. A few western states lump quads in with "motorcycles" but in most states a quad isn't a "motorcycle" because it has one too many wheels.

Yes, there are a number of different layouts for three-wheelers, including trikes with 2 front, one rear, and trikes with one front, two rear.

I am willing to promote a three-wheeler seminar at the MOA rally in Redmond OR this July. Anyone interested in seeing this happen?

pmdave