Unofficial Royal Enfield Community Forum

Royal Enfield Motorcycles => Bullet with the UCE engine => Topic started by: Anthonyof Erin on May 14, 2011, 02:18:43 am

Title: How many sidecar riders are here?
Post by: Anthonyof Erin on May 14, 2011, 02:18:43 am
Hey All Have not got my "rig" back from the shop yet and know I am missing some beautie weather but wanted to know how many out there are side car riders and Why? And do not come back with "why not".
Later
Anthony of Erin
Title: Re: How many sidecar riders are here?
Post by: Ducati Scotty on May 14, 2011, 05:30:26 am
Not yet.  My boy is only 17 months old.  But I did buy a C5 because it's easy to add a sidecar and plan to do it when he gets a little older.

Scott
Title: Re: How many sidecar riders are here?
Post by: chukzelda on May 14, 2011, 09:51:38 am
Hi,

I got my 2008 Bullet with Sidecar 3 weeks ago and am using it for my daily commuter.  I got it as my daughter was excited about being able to go out with me.  We live a few miles outside of a small town in the country.  As any Dad can attest to, kids have lots of activities and errands they need to attend.  Now I'm more then happy to motor her to any of these and she's just estatic to ride in the sidecar.  She has her own helmet/armored jacket as safety comes first with me.

I haven't stopped smiling in 3 weeks.  Not sure if this side-effect will wear off.....

Chuk
Title: Re: How many sidecar riders are here?
Post by: Okie Enfield on May 14, 2011, 01:01:36 pm
I havent gotten my hack yet but will soon. Three reasons, added stabiltiy for year round riding, ability to haul four legged passengers (two Irish Bulldogs), and the wow factor.  ;)
Title: Re: How many sidecar riders are here?
Post by: The Garbone on May 14, 2011, 01:21:49 pm
 ;D

A sidehack is a wonderful thing...So says my dog..

(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h165/thegarbone/1995%20RE%20500/J4.jpg)

:D

I have a solo also,  as the two are completely different animals, but both are good..

Title: Re: How many sidecar riders are here?
Post by: drbvac on May 14, 2011, 04:26:38 pm
WOULD love one - can u guys that have them comment on the difference in riding and cornering with the side car attached.
Title: Re: How many sidecar riders are here?
Post by: Anthonyof Erin on May 17, 2011, 02:13:36 am
Hey All , thanks for the responces,Still haven't got my rig back yet!!! ??? The weather here has turned a wee bit sour so a little easier to take its absence. Me thinks the shop duth not have a lot of experience installing chairs on RE's just yet (new dealer).
Can anybody give me some numbers on "lean and toe in" as applied to your bikes as I feel they're still messen with this. I raised the point re a tac for my C5 a while back as in looking for one and came upon a member pic that showed he installed one ,however I canot seem to find that bike and think his name was possible Jake in Texas.(don't even know if it was a C5). Any help would be bonus. Anybody install the bar end mirrors from Nfield, look kinda cool.would like some feed back on them.
Take care all.
Anthony of Erin
Title: Re: How many sidecar riders are here?
Post by: The Garbone on May 17, 2011, 02:51:26 am
WOULD love one - can u guys that have them comment on the difference in riding and cornering with the side car attached.

You drive a hack,  it goes were you want it through muscle and will.  You get accustomed to the yaw aspect and the working through turns.   

Anthony.   

I installed my hack myself using the instructions here...

http://www.cyclesidecar.com/Guides/alignment.html

Tire pressures are important...
Title: Re: How many sidecar riders are here?
Post by: olhogrider on May 17, 2011, 04:25:37 pm
Try unbolting one of the front wheels on your car, then take it for a spin around the block. If you don't hit anything you are qualified to drive a sidecar.  ;D

Naw, really they look like a lot of fun. I just don't think I would like all the attention.

Ok, I was kidding about that too. Riding an RE is like being in a one man parade! I can't imagine what it would be like with a sidecar.
Title: Re: How many sidecar riders are here?
Post by: olhogrider on May 17, 2011, 04:31:21 pm
Try unbolting one of the front wheels on your car, then take it for a spin around the block. If you don't hit anything you are qualified to drive a sidecar.  ;D

Naw, really they look like a lot of fun. I just don't think I would like all the attention.

Ok, I was kidding about that too. Riding an RE is like being in a one man parade! I can't imagine what it would be like with a sidecar.
Title: Re: How many sidecar riders are here?
Post by: The Garbone on May 17, 2011, 04:52:58 pm
Try unbolting one of the front wheels on your car, then take it for a spin around the block. If you don't hit anything you are qualified to drive a sidecar.  ;D

Naw, really they look like a lot of fun. I just don't think I would like all the attention.

Ok, I was kidding about that too. Riding an RE is like being in a one man parade! I can't imagine what it would be like with a sidecar.

It is a one vehicle parade.  Lots of people wave.
Title: Re: How many sidecar riders are here?
Post by: Anthonyof Erin on May 18, 2011, 01:29:06 am
Thanks ,Garbone ,and exactly how long did it take to" dial in" the alignment. With these slide type adjuster arms it really seems hit or miss as opposed to a threaded style of adjustment arm?
Title: Re: How many sidecar riders are here?
Post by: Bill Harris on May 18, 2011, 02:30:10 am
Anthonyof Erin,

I drive a hack.  I love wrestling the beast every moment I'm driving.  It keeps me in shape.  It's FUN and my Pit Bulls like it too.  ;)

Cheers,
Bill
Title: Re: How many sidecar riders are here?
Post by: GreenMachine on May 18, 2011, 02:58:48 am
bill, nice hack, the dog appears to be sitting like its just another day in the park...is it a Rhodesian ridgeback or a mix breed..hard to tell on the side view? u do look in good shape...cheers
Title: Re: How many sidecar riders are here?
Post by: Bill Harris on May 18, 2011, 03:36:06 am
GreenMachine,

He's an American Pit Bull Terrier and a champion in Conformation and a Ace in Weight Pulling with the American Dog Breeders Association.

Cheers,
Bill  
Title: Re: How many sidecar riders are here?
Post by: The Garbone on May 18, 2011, 03:57:49 am
Thanks ,Garbone ,and exactly how long did it take to" dial in" the alignment. With these slide type adjuster arms it really seems hit or miss as opposed to a threaded style of adjustment arm?

Not very hard actually. Keep them slightly snug and the rubber mallet is your friend.  

The lean out you can eyeball and for tow-in I parked it on a line in the concrete and used a 8ft pole as the other strait edge.  Worked perfect.  After that it really was all tire pressure and getting accustomed to wrestling it.  
Title: Re: How many sidecar riders are here?
Post by: gashousegorilla on May 18, 2011, 05:51:10 pm
 How are you guys keeping those Dogs in the  sidecar?  My screwy Jacks would bolt  out of mine, at the slightest flick of a Squirrel Tail.
Title: Re: How many sidecar riders are here?
Post by: Anon on May 18, 2011, 05:52:42 pm
How are you guys keeping those Dogs in the  sidecar?  My screwy Jacks would bolt  out of mine, at the slightest flick of a Squirrel Tail.

I've seen people using some kind of a seatbelt harness.  I know my dog would need one, or otherwise she'd leap out at the first sign of a squirrel as well!

Eamon
Title: Re: How many sidecar riders are here?
Post by: Anon on May 18, 2011, 05:54:28 pm
;D

A sidehack is a wonderful thing...So says my dog..

(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h165/thegarbone/1995%20RE%20500/J4.jpg)
Garbone, you're making me jealous (and my dog too)!

Eamon
Title: Re: How many sidecar riders are here?
Post by: gashousegorilla on May 18, 2011, 06:08:47 pm
I've seen people using some kind of a seatbelt harness.  I know my dog would need one, or otherwise she'd leap out at the first sign of a squirrel as well!

Eamon
Yeah, there must be something Eamon, don't want to drag him either.....  Anyone?
Title: Re: How many sidecar riders are here?
Post by: The Garbone on May 18, 2011, 06:47:31 pm
Well, In the image you can see the thread and nut of the eyebolt to the lower left.   He is tied to it by a tether that is about 12" - 16" long.  His blue leash is on the floor and you can see the white second tether and doggles for my other dog. I can bring them both but he is not such a fan.
(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h165/thegarbone/1995%20RE%20500/J4.jpg)


Here you can see the tether..

(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h165/thegarbone/1995%20RE%20500/J2.jpg)

Note that the seat cushion, just like the back, is removable, I leave it at home and he stands on the movable rubber mat that came with the car.
Title: Re: How many sidecar riders are here?
Post by: gashousegorilla on May 18, 2011, 07:19:32 pm
   OK, I got ya....good Idea.  Eye bolt through the floor, shorten his leash with a knot, or just a shorter leash, ...I like it ;)  I guess you could always hook the short leash to a harness as well.   Pretty cool !