Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear?
about a side car about a side car
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
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 Carl Parker, Always curious Tibetans, Tibet, China

Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!


Photo by Carl Parker,
Always curious Tibetans,
Tibet, China



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 13 Dec 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Portugal
Posts: 27
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
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 13 Dec 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sax, Spain
Posts: 901
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 15:50.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 14 Dec 2007
Dodger's Avatar
Large Golden Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 1,085
A few links for you -
Worldwide Sidecar Links & Hack Pics
__________________
Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light. - Spike Milligan
"When you come to a fork in the road ,take it ! When you come to a spoon in the road ,take that also ."
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 14 Dec 2007
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: montana usa
Posts: 547
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.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 14 Dec 2007
palace15's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: LONDONISTAN, England
Posts: 1,034
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.
__________________
'He who laughs last, was too slow to get the joke'
Never confuse the map with the journey.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 14 Dec 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,598
I just wonder how people class Trikes and 3 wheel cars...
could they be included with bikes???
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 15 Dec 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Saudi Arabia
Posts: 173
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 16:28. Reason: Refers to deleted post
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 15 Dec 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 521
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 16:28. Reason: Refers to deleted post
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 18 Dec 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Saudi Arabia
Posts: 173
Old Outfits
My uncles outfit was built like a tank and never had any handling issues that I noticed while riding pillion or in the double chair (one behind the other). Old bikes seamed to lend themselves more to this conversion than more modern bikes. The Urals are most likely in the same mould.
Cheers
Ian
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 18 Dec 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: North Carolina, USA
Posts: 11
Interesting Sidecar here ... If you check it out, you can mount it on a BMW GS bike too. Eliminates a lot of the standard complaints about steering.

ARMEC - SIDEWINDER SIDECAR - True Free Leaning Sidecar Setup

They don't have a pick of the GS version on the site that I saw. Maybe they believe ground clearance isn't an issue.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 18 Dec 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Portugal
Posts: 27
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
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 18 Dec 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Portugal
Posts: 27
about a side car
Thanks to all the people who response to may answer.
Obrigado Rui
(must sorry my English)
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 18 Dec 2007
Caminando's Avatar
Moderated Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DogZone Country
Posts: 1,218
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruioliveira View Post
Thanks to all the people who response to may answer.
Obrigado Rui
(must sorry my English)
Hi Rui

It will be possible to fit a sidecar, but you may need to adapt all fittings yourself. You will need welding equipment, and an angle grinder. (sorry I dont speak Portugese).

You may have to strengthen the frame of the bike because the sidecar puts stress on it which it is not designed for. This means increasing the thickness of the frame mounting points, by welding on a tube sleeve. Nordika make a neat, compact, fan cooled, up to 140 amps, electric welding machine for about 60 euros. If you cannot use such welding equipment then you will have to pay a lot of money to have a welder do it. Even then,be careful, many mechanics are NOT welders and will make a total mess of it. If you dont do this sleeving you risk snapping the frame because of metal fatigue on the mount\frame contact point. The action on the frame is in a direction which it is NOT designed for.

Good luck!

Obrigado!!!!

You really need to adapt the steering/forks also, which is expensive and you may not find the parts to fit your bike. And change the gearing by use of sprockets and a heavier chain. And change the tyres....it goes on and on.

Hey! Gois was really nice this year with lots of nice Portugese HUBBERS there!
Last edited by Susan; 19 Dec 2007 at 16:25. Reason: Remove non-useful content
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 21 Nov 2009
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: dayton,oh
Posts: 1
Sidecars for 305 Dreams
Does anyone make a sidecar for a Honda305 Dream??
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 2 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 2 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Buying a car in Europe - how do I do it, and what paperwork? monkii Europe 1 7 Jan 2008 22:16
Shipping a car out of India ilesmark West and South Asia 3 11 Dec 2007 06:55
sell a car in India (or Nepal or Pakistan) Hans Bo West and South Asia 8 26 Jun 2007 01:25
I give my car in India. Who want it ? etidar West and South Asia 2 11 Jun 2007 16:39
Alternatives to side racks and alu panniers ??? vincent danna Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? 8 10 Mar 2002 12:15

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:12.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top