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From: animal@ihuxq.UUCP (D. Starr)
Newsgroups: net.cycle
Subject: Re: Sidecars - Any recommendations? (Post to answers to net!)
Message-ID: <1197@ihuxq.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 6-Sep-84 17:04:08 EDT
Article-I.D.: ihuxq.1197
Posted: Thu Sep  6 17:04:08 1984
Date-Received: Sun, 16-Sep-84 12:20:55 EDT
References: <675@ihuxj.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL
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Newsgroups: net.cycle
Subject: Re: Sidecars - Any recommendations? (Post to answers to net!)
References: <675@ihuxj.UUCP>

<DO NOT BITE TIRES WHILE MOTORCYCLE IS IN MOTION>

According to U. S. Honda, sidecar recommendations can be summed up
in a single word:

	"DON'T!"

Check out the "Downtime Files" in the October issue of Road Rider for
a discussion of what you can and can't put a sidecar on.  If you don't
get Road Rider (shame on you!) highlights follow:

As far as they can tell, only two manufacturers currently build motorcycles
which are designed for sidecar use.  You can put a sidecar on a big Moto
Guzzi (850 or 1000cc) without voiding the warranty; you can do the same
on a big Harley-Davidson (take THAT, rice-burners!), and they will even
sell you one as an option on some models (price: about $12K for bike and
sidecar--ugh!).  I somehow suspect that you would find the performance of
both of these marques a bit disappointing.

All Japanese manufacturers specifically recommend AGAINST adding a sidecar.
The engineering people talk about side loading that the frame isn't made
for; the legal eagles just say it voids the warranty.  This applies to
ALL models.

The agency which certifies motor vehicles for safety in Germany has 
approved a couple of Japanese frames for sidecar use (I think the Gold
Wing and the KZ1300), but only if the EML leading-link fork is installed
on the bikes.

On the other hand, a lot of people run sidecars on Japanese bikes without
apparent mishap.  I tend to doubt that the frame or forks will actually
break if you put a hack on a Sabre; what's more likely is that the bike
will handle "funny" (e. g., speed wobble or other lack of desire to go
straight) when you take the sidecar off.

Your best bet by a long shot is to talk to people who own sidecar rigs
and see what kind of problems they experience.  Try the United Sidecar
Association (their address is in this month's AMA magazine [what? you're
not an AMA member?  Double shame on you!!]), or try going to Art's (aka
Gee-Gee's, aka Highland House; Routes 22 and 41 in Highland Park, Ill.)
on a Sunday morning.  There are ususally a few hacks parked among the
hundreds of other bikers for the tire-kicking services.

			Have fun,

			Dan Starr
			AMA No. 121989
			Road Runners M. C.