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Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 13 Dec 2007
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about a side car
hello folks
I need ask one thing:it´s possible to mount a side car in a Suzuki gs 500? do you know a person to make that operation?
thanks
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  #2  
Old 13 Dec 2007
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Sidecars
Hiya Rui

As a long term Sidecarist! ( MY first big bike was a Triumph T140 with a Briggs Double Adult chair on it, that I cut into a single adult with a pick up bed) I can answer that...Yes, you can.
You can fit a sidecar to most any bike, even a C90 ( seem em in China)
now a company in the UK, would be Watsonian Squire Sidecars they seem to know most things sidecar! and will also tell you who distributes their products worldwide......... they also have pics on their website of a Vespa with a sidecar and a Piaggio 250 scooter with sidecar. so a GS500 should be no probs

hope this helps

PS They also do trailers too & fixed me up with a Towbar & hitch for my XV1600 about 5 years ago, good and strong!

Martyn
Last edited by Martynbiker; 13 Dec 2007 at 16:50.
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  #3  
Old 14 Dec 2007
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A few links for you -
Worldwide Sidecar Links & Hack Pics
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  #4  
Old 14 Dec 2007
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Sidecars on smaller bikes
I would look for a velorex sidecar to mount up to your suzi 500. I once had a sidecar on a 350 honda, T500 suzi (2 stroke), jawa 350, suzi GS550, honda dream/benly 305 as well as larger bikes that I had factory and homemade sidecars on. I have mounted a velorex on a honda 175 for a customer and that rig actualy worked pretty well around town. Look into a homebuilt sidecar if your road laws allow it. Sidecars aren't a solo bike but they are fun and all sorts of people will want rides.
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Old 14 Dec 2007
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left or right hand 'chair' ?
I see your location is Portugal, so on what side of the bike do you intend fitting the sidecar?
Sidecars are available in the UK as previously stated and I presume easier to find in Europe, I also look forward to seeing any pictures anyone has.

I remember in Thailand seeing many sidecars attached to small capacity bikes and was amazed at the many uses they were put to, a great number were mobile food stalls and other assorted retail outlets.
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Old 14 Dec 2007
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I just wonder how people class Trikes and 3 wheel cars...
could they be included with bikes???
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Old 14 Dec 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oldbmw View Post
I just wonder how people class Trikes and 3 wheel cars...
could they be included with bikes???

Probably defined by the use of handlebars as opposed to a steering wheel, Quads are accepted as part of the bike scene. Although Morgans have raced in classic sidecar meetings, anyone remember Owen Greenwood ?
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Old 14 Dec 2007
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Ruioliveira,is it legal to fix a sidecar to your bike in Portugal? As far as i know (from talking to a Spanish guy this year) it isn't in Spain or Portugal...maybe there is a way round it you know of??? Might be worth checking first....
As for getting a right-hand sidecar,well they're obviously around in the rest of Europe but seem to be subject to quite strict TUV type tests that we here in UK don't need to compy with.Maybe a cheap-ish way is to look out for a dead Ural/Cossack/Dneipr outfit and rob the bits you want?
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Old 14 Dec 2007
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sidecars
sidcars are one of those things that you get or you don't
not finished mine yet but can't wait
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Old 14 Dec 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by patta View Post
sidcars are one of those things that you get or you don't
not finished mine yet but can't wait
I can feel some more pics on the way!

I agree with Daves' view; if it has handlebars it's good enough for me - thereafter (Morgans or Reliant 3 wheelers for instance) it's on a case by case basis.
There's another 3 wheeler at post 110 in here:-
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...7-8#post163632

I have very much enjoyed watching old Morgan cars compete in hill climbs BTW.
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Last edited by Walkabout; 15 Dec 2007 at 01:05.
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Old 15 Dec 2007
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Not Oly for BMW and not expensive!
GBProjects - Heeler WZ
greetings Harold
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  #12  
Old 15 Dec 2007
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My first ride on a bike was on the back of my uncles BSA gold flash with side car, my dad didn't like the idea of me going on it, but too bad, a biker was born.
I remember Owen Greenwood at Oulton Park thrashing the other outfits until he got banned.
Some people can't ride solo for various physical reasons so a side car outfit is a good way for them to enjoy biking as is a quad.

Cheers
Ian
Last edited by Susan; 19 Dec 2007 at 17:28. Reason: Refers to deleted post
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  #13  
Old 16 Dec 2007
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If they invented sidecars today, sidecar rigs would never have been allowed on our roads by today's standards. The steering is too crappy compared with at two-wheeler, manouverability likewise. And that's probably why I love them! It's a totally different feeling riding those beasts. I have a Guzzi with a Watsonian sidecar. Can't stop counting all the good times we've had, me, my family and my sidecar-rigged Guzzi together. Sidecars rule!
Last edited by Susan; 19 Dec 2007 at 17:28. Reason: Refers to deleted post
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Old 16 Dec 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dave ede View Post
Probably defined by the use of handlebars as opposed to a steering wheel, Quads are accepted as part of the bike scene. Although Morgans have raced in classic sidecar meetings, anyone remember Owen Greenwood ?
I'm with you on this one
motorbike and side car fit's in to the bike world

I have a friend that lost both his legs ,but did not want a trike so went for a bike with side car,spent the winter converting it ,and it's great.

He used to carry all our gear in the chair and if we left him behind when we came across a jam,then we had to buy him his all weekend
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  #15  
Old 18 Dec 2007
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about a side car
Quote:
Originally Posted by Martynbiker View Post
Hiya Rui

As a long term Sidecarist! ( MY first big bike was a Triumph T140 with a Briggs Double Adult chair on it, that I cut into a single adult with a pick up bed) I can answer that...Yes, you can.
You can fit a sidecar to most any bike, even a C90 ( seem em in China)
now a company in the UK, would be Watsonian Squire Sidecars they seem to know most things sidecar! and will also tell you who distributes their products worldwide......... they also have pics on their website of a Vespa with a sidecar and a Piaggio 250 scooter with sidecar. so a GS500 should be no probs

hope this helps

PS They also do trailers too & fixed me up with a Towbar & hitch for my XV1600 about 5 years ago, good and strong!

Martyn
thanks Martyn for your response,very good information on Watsonian.
Obrigado Rui
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