The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2
General Category => Chit-Chat => Topic started by: Allred on November 08, 2008, 10:11:34 AM
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I've never owned one, never ridden in one, and have only seen a few close-up. Besides the ability to haul a passenger/cargo, and the added stability of a third wheel, what is it about them that attracts so many to say they'd like to have one?
If I couldn't manage a two-wheeler, maybe I'd consider one, but otherwise I don't understand the attaction.
Just curious......Why would "you" want one (or not)? :-?
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I use mine to take my dog for rides
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After having driven a hack for 12 years,I changed to an R 65. The first thing I noticed was while driving my 'new' Beemer, no one looked at me! No one came up to me and said;
"What a quaint mode of transport"
So, the first reason people ride hacks is "pose value"
Also, when you go on a ride with buddies, you are the one hauling the picnic basket!
Ridden properly, Hacks can be fun, especially on slippery roads and snow and ice and you can haul your dog/wife/mistress/a full tool kit/spares/coconuts or the monthly shopping.
You don't have to worry about it falling over.
A hack is highly maneuverable at low speeds.
you can park on soft ground.
You DO have to remember to reverse park.
and finally,
They are just different! A nonconformist's / eccentric's vehicle
And this is what I rode:
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They are a BLAST!
Not for everyone, though.
Not a motorcycle, not a car - something completely unique.
Because of it's asymmetrical layout, steering is a completly different experience.
Body english plays a large part of it - for spirited riding, anyway! ;)
I heartily recommend one to anyone that likes to have fun.
As with anything, proper training is paramount.
I regret the day I sold mine.
I relish the anticipation of having another.
I'll never make the mistake of selling one, again.
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I am also hoping to buy, or assemble one myself - for all of the reasons above !
Sadly, I don't think that it is going too happen for a while yet, but there is always hope !
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Just remember to get EXTRA wide handlebars ( for leverage) and do a course in gymnastics!
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I sure have been giving it consideration! ::)
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I crashed my SC rig once, too, Sue!
Of course, the epileptic seizure didn't help...
I'm just glad I was on 3 wheels at the time!
(long time ago - 1988? Seizure-free since 2000! (knock-on-wood))
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I'm not interested in a sidecar for my R65, part of the reason I want it is that feeling of easiness on the road.
But for my 1950 Sunbeam S7 I would love a sidecar, why? I would love to go on trips where I can take one or both of my two kids (ages 3 and 7) but i think I'd be too nervous with them hanging on the rear, but in a sidecar I think we'd all enjoy the ride.
John
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I got my sidecar in Germany many years ago when the group I was riding with said to me "you know it snows here and you can't ride a solo bike - you need a sidecar!"
A totally different experience - you drive it rather than ride. Of course you also climb all over it if the hack is light and empty and you are running through the twisties!
Good in snow and on slippery surfaces.
Great for younger kids and dogs.
Wonderful curb appeal "look at that!"
Can haul lots of stuff.
Kills the gas mileage.
Not as easy to drive - takes strength and concentration.
Pulls to the right when accelerating and to the left when braking.
Really feels strange going over bumps - first the front wheel, then the side car wheel raises the right side and finally the rear wheel.
If you try hard you can turn them over (BTDT!)
All that being said, I'll ride a solo machine most of the time but I will NEVER sell the sidecar rig as long as there is room in the garage and I have the strength to kick start it.
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Do you have any pics of your /2 with sidecar that you'd be willing to share with us, Drew ?
I bet that is just a classy machine !
Maybe we should have a "sidecar only discussion section" ?
That isn't a formal request, Justin - just a random thought !?
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Make for a nice "Grocery getter". But aren't they a little hard on the gas mileage?
In the BSA world getting a side car back in the 1930's meant that you had moved on (from single to married) and were off the market. My general feeling is that, back then, if you got a 'hack' you were to be pitied by the single working class crowd - a little history for y'all.
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I love my sidecar rig....would not go back to a solo cycle. Reasons.......hummm for one I can haul three grand daughters at one time....one behind me....two in the sidecar..no waiting.....Dog likes to ride. I do like people coming up taking pictures of my Basset Hound in the sidecar....had one woman hang out of her car at a stop light to take a picture....hung out so far I thought she would fall out.
People are always coming up to me at the gas station asking about my sidecar cycle....and at rallies...I think that’s cool.....didn’t happen much when I was riding without the sidecar. Is very cool for hauling friends along....often those who feel it is safer in a sidecar. I tell them it is much safer...but that maybe bending the truth a bit.
I once carried 5 twelve packs of Dr. Pepper.....three briskets......three big bags of chips and had room left over. Have carried a computer ....complete with monitor and printer. I take and pick up packages at the post office all the time. Also not bad when ya run to Home Depot.
Then I just like the feel of a sidecar rig. Yes........it does take more effort....when I first started I thought........chit... this thing takes a bit of effort to turn it but now I don’t notice it. But it handles different........and I like it. Maybe it does mark a change in life styles..........but when I haul dogs and grands kids............. makes me smile.
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Scotty's gallery:
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbase.com%2Ftomfarr%2Fimage%2F63132400%2Fmedium.jpg&hash=bf242d73744d84ba649291d59b8f457aec2130a2) (http://www.pbase.com/tomfarr/scottys_sidecar_rig)
click on the picture
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Scotty's is still one of the prettiest, nicest complement of bike and hack that I have ever seen. Someday I aspire to be able to come close something that looks that good !
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What a great set up - Lovely
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(http://) A good reason for a sidecar
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Lovely pic Scotty - I am sure your grandchildren will remember their grandfather for ever........
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Scotty,
Simply beautiful!!!
Is that a Globe sidecar?
Cast wheels and added lighting look great - puts my 1953 Steib to shame. I do like the lighter sidecars with a lower HP machine. Mine is a lot closer to the bike though - and as a result wants to fly when it is unloaded. If I can find the photos I'll post them.
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The wheel, lighting and turn signals really make it look perfect! WOW!
Nice "Hack", Scotty.
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I seriously looked at a Vetter Terraplane sidecar for my then new '78 R100 but the dealer talked me out of it. He was adamant that the "later" Beemers were not suitably "robust", structurally, for sidecar applications.
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Drew.....it is a Cozy sidecar....I think ....the tub or boat was bought by a buddy of mine and a lot of beer was part of the transaction. When he sold it to me ........it was a Cozy, then he decided it was a Steib.....then went back to Cozy. The cradle or frame holding it was shop made. The fender and wheel of the sidecar came off a wrecked R65. The bumper in front is off a Steib....the side fender I bought on ebay came off a Cozy, as did the steering damper. The windshield came off a old Honda. The luggage rack in back is off a Velorex. I ride a junk yard special or custom bike....take your pick. We tried the sidecar tucked closer to the cycle......looked better......but the ride wasn’t......Would love to see pictures of yours.
Justin, any of the post /2 cycles can easily be reinforced to take a sidecar. There are kits made to do just that. Mine has a heavy duty triple tree..makes the cycle two inches longer that a regular R65. The lower point of the sidecar attachment does not connect directly to the cycle frame but to a heavy duty aluminum block. This block in turn is attached to the frame in several places..... spreading out the stress. ....just precautions to be on the safe side. Three years and thousand of miles..........no problems..
I was talking with a guy at the Classic Rally here in Texas......he has a R75/5 with a Velorex sidecar. He had no frame or triple tree reinforcement. He has had the rig for some 12 years and a lot more miles than me. He has never had a problem. He ask if I had ever actually met anyone who had a frame failure. No..... I have not.......and I have seen a lot of post /2 cycles with sidecars, talked with their owners. He suggested given the thousands of BMW sidecar hacks out there......there really wasn’t a problem.
I saw his point......but think I recommend reinforcing. But I also think any airhead BMW can be adapted to safely carry a sidecar. I think you know Perry Bushong.....the Texas expert on sidecars.......who holds the patent for the triple tree I am using. He build a R65 sidecar rig....... similar to mine .....attaches the same way..........for his son in law.
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And having the sidecar "out there" a little bit makes valve adjustments and oil changes a lot more accessible.
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What a lovely picture. It makes me really want one...(yeah it's a dream - though I've thought about it off and on for some time now) - though I'd want to put it on the 'right' side of the bike ;)
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Scotty, Perry was the one who advised me against putting on a sidecar back in '78. Maybe that was before he figured out he could make lots of money off 'em or because I wasn't going to contract him to do the work? If I ever find a Terraplane in good shape for cheap...
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OK - here is a pic of the sidecar - a 1953 LS200 - I was at an event taking disabled kids for rides - down the parking lot and back and never out of 2nd gear so no protection. Otherwise it is ATGATT!!!
The hack is a junkyard special from when I was in Germany back in 1970 - rattlecan painted and a little worse for wear. Although you can't see it the sidecar wheel was replaced in France when the original started breaking spokes. The replacement is 19" and has a half hub brake drum. Someday I'll find a chrome moon hubcap to cover it.
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That looks fun!!! A very nice rig anyway you look at it. Sidecars can be so cool.....I like that original Steib sidecar fender. My sidecar fender was made from a wrecked R65..but have been thinking about changing it to a different one. One that goes down deeper....less chance for little fingers to find their way into the spokes. Like you .........my granddaughters and I just ride around a few blocks....in second gear. Also.... I may take the windshield off..or at least cut it down and put a grab rail on the front to make it easier to get in and out.