[MotoJ]

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/mcy/2270555779.html


Hi guys,

I found this listing on Baltimore Craigslist. I've always kinda wanted a sidecar but it seemed expensive to get into the game.

My question is whether this is a fair price for what is just the car and undercarriage. It would need a new wheel, suspension, and mounts, and maybe a subframe for the bike. Are those parts available reasonably? Would it be a search on ebay for months or could I source those parts somewhere else?

I don't care much about cosmetics or dents. If I bought it and bought a wheel and mounts could I possibly get myself a rig for $750 +/-  ?

I have seen Velorex's out there for about $1000, but I don't want fiberglass or plastic.

BTW, I would potentially mate this up to a R80/7 BMW, not the RE.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[The Garbone]

For my first outfit I imported a CJ car from china.  It ended up costing about $900 for the car and additional $300 or so to get the brackets and have them mounted on a Kawasaki.   

My choice of bike left much to be desired, but the car was like new and very nice.   Sold the car to a fellow who put it on a Guzzi.



Here is a photo gallery of my project.
http://s64.photobucket.com/albums/h165/thegarbone/Hack%20a%20Saki/

 I wish I had tried to put it on a better bike, like a BMW, as the KZ was just too rev happy to be good with a hack.  At the time I was short money so....  When one if my mounting brackets broke I decided to ditch the entire thing and go for a RE setup.

You can find the braces on ebay (for CJs) for pretty cheep and get them cut down.   I got the frame bosses from a local ural dealer.    The sockets came with the car but they can also be had online.

Personally,  I would keep looking for a better car than the one you linked.. 

[MotoJ]

Yeah, maybe I should keep looking around. Or offer lower. It's like don't go shopping at the grocery store when you're hungry.

Nice job on your rig! Is that a '76 or '77 KZ750? I had one a long time ago. I remember trying to get those carbs synced up. Jeezus.

[The Garbone]

79' KZ650..

Carb syncing was a learning experience.  The bike hauled ass as a solo.  I took it from a  non runner to were it ran really well when I sold it.  Fun project. Paid $400 for it and sold it for $800.. 

[MotoJ]

Well done! Those KZ's were still the hot bike when I was in high school. I didn't get one 'til 1990, though, right before the vintage craze started and you could still buy SJMs for pennies. That bike scared me once I got it running right. I found a Kerker for it and it would set car alarms off blocks away. The front end would get light in every gear.

So what's a fair price for a complete Ural (or similar)car? Like I said, I don't care too much about cosmetics. I plan to put dogs in it (canines, that is).

[The Garbone]

I think you would be doing well to get a good car for under $1000. 

http://motorcycle.jaxed.com/cgi-bin/mash.cgi?cat=mcy&fil=&itm=sidecar&state=&ps=&pe=&ys=&ye=&so=d&submit=+GO+

From looking at my records..

In 09' I paid this guy,

http://www.cjsidecar.com/order.htm

$900 for the car and $400 for shipping to the nearest point of entry.  It was a leap of faith and took a few months (4) but it did show up.  t took another $150 to get it released by the shipper.

I was tempted to import 2 or 3 more and sell them on ebay as the shipping cost don't go up much per addition.  Just another one of those ideas that I could have done but did not.

[UncleErnie]

Sidecar rig info;  http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=56
and   www.sidecar.com

For ural specifics, PM Bernie (Blue Ridge Wheeltor) or check sites like Soviet Steeds.

To put a sidecar on any post-'68 BMW, you will need a sub-frame.  They're nick-named Rubber Cows for a reason.  You probably want to up-grade the suspension and get block tread tires, also.   A fresh sub-frame can get 'spensive, Lucy (Unless you can make one yourself). 

[MotoJ]

Thanks Guys!

I saw you on that site even before you linked it, Tio Ernesto.

I'm going to go look at that poor old chair tomorrow, just to see how bad off it really is. It sounds like maybe I should start saving for a well used Ural rig complete, though, if I want to scratch this itch I got.

[UncleErnie]

I think it takes some experience to even know what you're looking at.  It also depends on how much punishment you enjoy, your shop, tool collections, and so on.
For instance, one person might see a tub that needs sandblasting and paint, he already has a spare wheel laying around, and welding up a new frame is just a matter of taking the time after dinner.

Someone else might look at a "fun little project" and realize too late that all the bolt holes need to be reinforced with backing plates because of all the rust- and go from there paying shops to do this and that that he can't really deal with after all.

My current tub is an example;  I got it because I THOUGHT it only needed a coat of pant.  Then I find out that welding procedures in the 50's left flux under the pint that slowly rusts.  So, all those aluminium strips are held on by millions of little bolts.  The whole thing had to be stripped to bare metal... long story short, I think for about $500 more I could have got a new one.

Anyway, another place to look for tubs is IBMWR in the "Sidecar" dept.
Good luck ~

[The Garbone]

I think it takes some experience to even know what you're looking at.  It also depends on how much punishment you enjoy, your shop, tool collections, and so on.
For instance, one person might see a tub that needs sandblasting and paint, he already has a spare wheel laying around, and welding up a new frame is just a matter of taking the time after dinner.

Someone else might look at a "fun little project" and realize too late that all the bolt holes need to be reinforced with backing plates because of all the rust- and go from there paying shops to do this and that that he can't really deal with after all.

My current tub is an example;  I got it because I THOUGHT it only needed a coat of pant.  Then I find out that welding procedures in the 50's left flux under the pint that slowly rusts.  So, all those aluminium strips are held on by millions of little bolts.  The whole thing had to be stripped to bare metal... long story short, I think for about $500 more I could have got a new one.

Anyway, another place to look for tubs is IBMWR in the "Sidecar" dept.
Good luck ~

Pretty much the reason why I sold my first attempt and bought the cozy.  Went through all the trouble and had one bolt come loose fell out bent up my home designed new subframe.   It was back to drawing board and thats when I decided to just get one designed for a specific bike and be done with it...

[MotoJ]

yeah. My dear departed Dad used to say "Save up and buy it ONCE....". Good advice.
I'll still take a look at it. If I can get a good price maybe it would make a cool planter in the yard!

[Blue Ridge Wheeltor]

PM sent

[MotoJ]

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=713860

Check out my hastily constructed thread showing my poor man's sidecar project and containing really crap photography...

Even so, I like to think Uncle Ernie would be proud...