Calling on sidecar experts...

[Track T 2411]

https://madison.craigslist.org/mcy/d/mo ... 82282.html
I just found this posting locally, and have a few questions... all the sidecars I've seen in the US are mounted on the right. This one is on the left. Are they reversible? Would I be looking for different mounting brackets for my 1100? Is this a good size for the 1100's? We would be riding with an 80 pound dog... Does this look like a good deal? All opinions welcome!

[wingrider]

It does appear that it would reverse based on the mounts, but would need to check if the fender and axle could switch. Being it is an older Watsonian, not sure it will. They were all made in the UK. There is a good chance that some of the mounts could be made to work on your 1100.

If it was me, that isn’t a good enough deal to fool around with it. Haven’t looked at cars for a while, but seems there have been some that have popped up for not much more money, and are on the proper side for the US.

[scootsx2]

Rather than mess around with trying to remount the hack on the right-hand side, just ride with it on the left side. The price is certainly good.

Before you put your dog in the hack, make sure you master how to ride with a sidecar. Also make sure you understand how to properly adjust/align a sidecar and be prepared to spend time eliminating headshake. My gut feel is the car may be too light for an 1100. Check out http://www.sidecar.com/

I also recommend this book but Amazon is asking crazy money for it at this time.

sidecar_book.jpg (46.7 KiB) Viewed 308 times

[CYBORG]

A friend of mine, here in Muskegon, has a very nice sidecar, that has been completely re furbished, that he was going to mount on his 1100. (also refurbished, with an 83 engine), but lost his left leg just below the knee. Is looking to sell separate, or as a unit. Contact me if you want more information

[Liam]

In one of the workshop manuals that I have for a GL1100 there is a chapter dedicated to fitting a sidecar. It does not go into tremendous detail but has some info regarding alignment and setting up.

[Sandy]

That unit looks like a Watsonian/Squire sidecar.
I have a 77 Watsonian Monaco, similar but different.
The fiber glass tub would be ok left or right but my Watsonian frame mounts would have to be fabricated.
The suspension on my unit would not work on the opposite side of the frame.

My suggestion would be to get the price down, use the tub and build a frame and suspension.

[Sidecar Bob]

Sidecars are on the right in places where you drive on the right for the same reasons that cars designed for driving on the right are left hand drive. Before I even considered looking at it I would look into the legality of operating a right hand drive vehicle in your state. As I understand, here they are only allowed under certain circumstances like for rural mail delivery and historical vehicles to & from events.

As for suitability with a 'Wing, a general rule of thumb is that the sidecar's weight should be 25-35% that of the bike. The Red Hunter weighs about 400 Lb so if this sidecar is on the high end of suitable for it it might, maybe, be on the low end of suitable with a 600 Lb 'Wing.

But, having driven sidecars on the right side of the road for over 30 years, if it was me I'd pass in that and look for a right handed one.

[Sidecar Bob]

A friend of mine, here in Muskegon, has a very nice sidecar, that has been completely re furbished, that he was going to mount on his 1100. (also refurbished, with an 83 engine), but lost his left leg just below the knee. Is looking to sell separate, or as a unit. Contact me if you want more information

Does he understand that the sidecar might be the only way for him to ride now?

[CYBORG]

A friend of mine, here in Muskegon, has a very nice sidecar, that has been completely re furbished, that he was going to mount on his 1100. (also refurbished, with an 83 engine), but lost his left leg just below the knee. Is looking to sell separate, or as a unit. Contact me if you want more information

Does he understand that the sidecar might be the only way for him to ride now?

He does. But he was never a real rider anyway. In his early 70,s, diabetes, (that's what cost him his leg) , Bowling was his passion, in the bowling hall of fame, ofcourse that's over now as well. Just wants to sit in his wheel chair, and watch tv. Sad,.....buts that how it is

[Track T 2411]

Thanks for the replies and info. I think I'm going to wait a while and see if it stays listed. I am curious about weight, though. If the car is too light, could I just add weight, or does that introduce other problems?

[Sidecar Bob]

Its more than just having enough weight to keep the wheel on the ground. There are significant loads to the bike's frame and the sidecar's frame during cornering and the heavier the whole sidecar outfit is the greater those forces will be. It is assumed that the weight of the sidecar is dependent to a significant degree on the size & thickness of the tubing its frame is made of and that a heavier bike will have a stronger frame too. If one is too heavy for the other the one that isn't strong enough can be damaged by those loads over time.

[Track T 2411]

That makes sense. Thanks.

[Track T 2411]

I've been keeping watch for an affordable sidecar, but haven't had much luck. I do have a possible candidate in a 1500 with a Hannigan sidecar, but don't have much info on it, other than it's been sitting in the seller's garage unused for 'several years.' I really don't need another bike, but the asking price is very attractive. 'IF' I go look at it (almost a 3 hour drive each way), what issues should I be looking out for? I'm about as familiar with the 1500's as I am with sidecars (which is not at all!)

[wingrider]

Lots of 1500’s had hacks on them...might not be a bad bike to have...

The 1500’s have more wires and vacuum lines than a naked Wing, But underneath it all, it is a smooth 6 cylinder engine most likely with reverse!

[desertrefugee]

If you're comfortable working on a four cylinder Goldwing, you'll be fine with a 1500. Same overall design...and only 2 carbs!