Buying a sidecar and fitting a seat [Archive]

Jiminy

26th February 2008, 21:35

Ixion

26th February 2008, 21:44

1. Easy enough. Use a bit of wood with some vinyl on it, and hoick it in somehow
2. No rego at all for a chair. WoF, you don't need a separate wof for the chair, BUT if it's fitted to the bike when you take that for a WoF the sidecar will be checked too. If, that is, the testing station can figure out what to do about it. They couldn't thirty years ago when I had one, and they were more common then . They'll at least check lights and tyres. Best is to take the chair off, get your warrant and refit the chair. Totally legal.

3. Look for rust. Look at tyres. But mainly figure out if you can fit it. Fitting a side car to modern bikes isn't at all straight forward. Old ones had sidecar lugs and frames built for the task. Not nowdays. So look at the fittings (make sure that you get them) and see if they'll work for you. Check it as you would atrailer. There's really bugger all can go wrong with them

4. Feels distinctly different. Totally unlike a solo or a car. Rather cool but. I'd have another if I had somewhere to put it. And a bike to haul it. ANd more money.

PM or email Lee Rusty, he'll give you all the info you need.

Jiminy

26th February 2008, 22:32

Great, thanks :)

The side is sold with a bike, which is handy.

I vaguely remember having read somewhere (probably on this site) not so long ago that the rules have change recently about sidecar WOFs, so I'll need to do some more research. I'll contact Lee Rusty, thanks for the info!

Now on to sort out a garage/car park :)

Steam

26th February 2008, 22:37

Great, thanks :)

I've got a little PDF book on "Sidecar riding techniques" which I could email to you or something. I should check how small the file is first...

FROSTY

26th February 2008, 22:38

Give alex gee a yell--09 4168932 --the deal as I recall is that the Motorcycle/sidecar needs to be registered as just that and may need a low volume compliance

Steam

26th February 2008, 22:41

Great
Is it the BSA 650cc Lightning and Busmar sidecar? (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Classic-vintage/auction-142114722.htm) That thing looks incredible!
EDIT: Oh, it will be the BMW (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Other/auction-142479534.htm?key=1198811), as it has no seat, as described above. Love that single headlight.

Give alex gee a yell--09 4168932 --the deal as I recall is that the Motorcycle/sidecar needs to be registered as just that and may need a low volume compliance

What? When did they change that?
It was like Ixion said, the last I heard.

gijoe1313

26th February 2008, 22:44

Zounds and ods bodkins! I was also looking at sidecar combos (and though the hotdog vending one was tempting... :pinch:)

There be that nice Beemer wiv' side car? And yep that BSA with sidecar is noice, vury noice!

Failing that, I'll just plonk for a Ural! :sweatdrop

FROSTY

26th February 2008, 22:48

Is it the BSA 650cc Lightning and Busmar sidecar? (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Classic-vintage/auction-142114722.htm) That thing looks incredible!.
S a brick---that was the first "car" i ever travelled in--one exactly like that -cept it was on the side of a gold flash

FROSTY

26th February 2008, 22:49

What? When did they change that?
It was like Ixion said, the last I heard.
Call Alex--they changed the law--dont recall exact details but basicly the old days you could wof ya bike then strap a chair on the side. Now the whole plot needs to be legal

FROSTY

27th February 2008, 16:34

Ok heres the deal--a motorcycle and sidecar unit is required to have a low volume certification as a COMPLETE vehicle.
Old grampa joes gs850 with a chair on it HAS indeed got WOF's for 15 years or so. Now it needs a compliance cert.
The only exceptions are the old (read up to 1960) british and american bikes. The reason beinbg that at manufacture these bikes were desighned to take sidecars and had factory welded lugs and frame strenthening.
The example I was given was a 1945 russian sidecar bolted to the side of a triumph of 2005/06 vintage.
Bikes up to 200km/h plus but none of the chair components were sesighned for it

Ixion

27th February 2008, 17:36

S a brick---that was the first "car" i ever travelled in--one exactly like that -cept it was on the side of a gold flash

That was what I had. Gold Flash with Busmah double adult chair.

My understanding of the rule is that a detachable sidecar needs no WoF in itself. It's not a part of the bike. Like a trailer. There's no VIR manual for sidecars (is for trailers) . Nor is there a rego fee prescribed. Nor does a sidecar have a frame number or VIN.

But , if it's a built in one piece sidecar (like a racing sidecar) the it would need compliance . That makes it a class LE (ie a trike) .

FROSTY

27th February 2008, 21:01

sorry dude your understanding is out of date --as a lot of chair peeps are finding out

Ixion

27th February 2008, 22:04

Got a link to the legislation. Not saying you're wrong, but they couldn't change that without a law change, and I haven't seen one.

Motu

27th February 2008, 22:47

sorry dude your understanding is out of date --as a lot of chair peeps are finding out

Nothing in the VIRM Tony,and that's the Bible.As Ixion says,if it's one piece or a new build it'll need an LVV,but there is nothing at this stage in writing that you can hang a fail on.

Lucy

10th March 2008, 10:32

I'm looking at a sidecar on TradeMe. It's always been my dream to ride a sidecar, although I have never tried riding one (yet).

The side doesn't have a seat. Is it difficult to find and fit one?

Does anyone know what are the rules in NZ re WOF and registration?

What do I need to look at when inspecting the vehicle?

How does it feel to ride a sidecar?

Pffffew, so many questions :)

Yo! I "won" this auction - but there was a stuff up on the price. He will take $2400 for the bike only, but $3k for the combo. I'm having second thoughts (bid $2300 for the lot). Supposed to go have a look tomorrow. Let me know if anyone of youse want it instead ok?

0274 278700

Steam

10th March 2008, 10:46

Yo! I "won" this auction - but there was a stuff up on the price. He will take $2400 for the bike only, but $3k for the combo. I'm having second thoughts (bid $2300 for the lot).

That wasn't a stuff-up, he's playing the field... first he set the reserve at $2000 to draw interest, then a week after bidding a bidder says the guy who actually owns the bike is after $2500; "Have you told jj that you set his reserve at 2 thou? I spoke to him today and he's after 2500."

The guy running the auction then changes the price to $3000, then a bit later says "Sorry, buy now is $3500."
But he doesn't change anything in the actual auction, just puts a note in the Question and Answer section.

He seems like a dishonest trader, the deal was done, an auction is a binding contract. What's he trying for? Something fishy is going on.

Lucy

10th March 2008, 10:55

That wasn't a stuff-up, he's playing the field... first he set the reserve at $2000 to draw interest, then a week after bidding a bidder says the guy who actually owns the bike is after $2500; "Have you told jj that you set his reserve at 2 thou? I spoke to him today and he's after 2500."

The guy running the auction then changes the price to $3000, then a bit later says "Sorry, buy now is $3500."
But he doesn't change anything in the actual auction, just puts a note in the Question and Answer section.

He seems like a dishonest trader, the deal was done, an auction is a binding contract. What's he trying for? Something fishy is going on.

Yeah I saw all that, that's why I bid anyway to see what would happen. The guy selling it is not the guy who put up the auction apparently - seems genuine enough on the phone. Funnily enough there is another BMW R80 auction, also Palmy based, also with the wrong reserve - fishy down there eh. I am still deciding whether to go and have a look or not. I'd love the bike and sidecar, but would be happier with the price I bid.

Steam

10th March 2008, 11:02

I am still deciding whether to go and have a look or not. I'd love the bike and sidecar, but would be happier with the price I bid.

No harm in looking. How far is Raetihi from Palmy?

Lucy

10th March 2008, 11:10

No harm in looking. How far is Raetihi from Palmy?

Two hours. I'll probably use my never fail decisionmaking tool of tossing a coin.....

Lucy

12th March 2008, 19:15

Well instead of tossing a coin, the seller rang to say it got it's warrant, so I went and had a look, and went for a ride, and decided it was too much of a 'project'. Then, changed my mind and bought it! Was fun riding home, (sidecar not attached - but in the van). Being able to accelerate uphills and overtake people is not something I am accustomed to being a GN owner! Bit of loss of power right before getting home, and the fuses blew so no indicators worked, oh and petrol was leaking from a carburettor after filling with gas, but apart from that....it is great and I really like it!

Jiminy

12th March 2008, 19:43

Well instead of tossing a coin, the seller rang to say it got it's warrant, so I went and had a look, and went for a ride, and decided it was too much of a 'project'. Then, changed my mind and bought it!

Great, good on you Lucy :).

I talked to the guy on the phone, and decided that the price was just out of my range for a second week-end bike, especially as I would have needed a car park somewhere in town, which pretty much adds another 2k/year.

I'll still own a sidecar one day, but I'm glad this one got a good home. Hope to see you on the road soon!

Jiminy

12th March 2008, 21:56

Well, and now I've just seen this:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Classic-vintage/auction-145150511/k-932854.htm

Argl, must... not... buy...! :pinch:

Steam

12th March 2008, 22:08

...Then, changed my mind and bought it! ...

Wow congrats!
Enjoy! I'll have a sidecar one day too.

I can send you a 77 page booklet on CD about Sidecar Riding Techniques if you'd like. Or maybe I can just track down the link to the PDF and you can download it yourself...
There are heaps of good tips in it.

xwhatsit

12th March 2008, 22:18

Well, and now I've just seen this:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Classic-vintage/auction-145150511/k-932854.htm

Argl, must... not... buy...! :pinch:

That's seriously cool. The last picture, with the canopy up -- I'm never buying a car, I'll just cart around the eventual family in something like that :laugh:

deanohit

12th March 2008, 22:23

Haha, that side car is awesome!

Motu

12th March 2008, 22:26

Lucy

13th March 2008, 08:22

I was following the auction too,saw that stuff up in pricing and thought better to not get involved....and I'm not ready yet.The price was right,but I'd like a closer look at the mountings as BMW's need a subframe for lower mounts and something to support the top rear as well.The body would make a good goat shelter....and I would make a dualsport chair.The late '80's single shock BMW's are going for realistic prices now....I'm watching.A nice K75 or two worth a look as well.

I've seen the BMW powered Chinese bike - it's very well done,a bargain for someone.The other chair is Indian,a Steib copy I think.

I hear ya. Haven't mounted the sidecar yet, still plenty to sort out on the bike (it was stored for a while). Having said that - I rode it home and most of the time it went great. Even so, I don't think the sidecar will be used on any serious travelling or long trips...

Yeah that link above looks like a really lovely looking setup. I prefer aircooled though, and I think the K75s are oil cooled?

Steam

13th March 2008, 08:38

Lucy, here are three downloadable books on how to set up and ride a sidecar safely and well.
And also a section on how to do stunts!
http://www.sidecar.com/links3.asp

Hal Kendall, noted sidecar authority and founding member of the United Sidecar Association, has asked that we post the following books to the website in their entirety. When I asked Hal what prompted him to make such a generous offer, he replied as follows;

“The reason for giving the manuals to the USCA, and making them available at cost via CD-ROM from my home is that safety should NOT be something that needs to be BOUGHT if you can't afford it. If you believe in it, it must be freely shared.”

Nice eh!