rosberg@ihuxi.UUCP (Rosberg) (12/05/85)
What with the birth of my daughrter this spring, my wife and I didn't get much riding done. I thought a sidecar would be a good way to get the family back on the road again (although my wife has informed me, in no uncertain terms, that the hack will go on my bike, not hers). What I need is info on finding old (as in needs work, cheap) sidecars, preferably in/around the Chicago area. If there's enough interest, I'll post the replies. Oh, yeah, the bike pulling the hack will be my old, trusty, ex-miler Yamaha 650 twin...power should be no problem (as it would be with my SR500), but I r=think the lighter, older-looking hacks would look/work better with the old parallel twin. Thanks for your help. John Rosberg ihuxi/rosberg
hsc@mtuxo.UUCP (h.cohen) (12/20/85)
If you send $2 to the United Sidecar Assoc., P.O. Box 8119,
Van Nuys, CA91409, they will send you a sample issue of
"The Sidecarist" magazine and USA membership info.
Check the many classified ads in "The Sidecarist" for used hacks,
write to the many sidecar companies listed (new might be better -
you never know).
The Chicago area is second only to California in sidecar activity.
The USA Treasurer, Ed Johnson, lives near you - you could give him a call.
For hauling a kid, I strongly urge that you get a hack with a usable
top. Putting a child into a rainsuit is like stuffing a snake down a hole.
I also recommend the ProTec Firefly helmet. It is very light and comfortable,
has different-sized liners to fit kids from about 1 - 8 years.
Also a seatbelt, with or without a car seat. Hacks are bouncy and jiggly,
and hard surfaces are close to your child in every direction.
I have some great photos from when my son was pushing 2 years old,
helmeted, fingering his blanket and sucking on his bottle while whizzing
down the Garden State Parkway!
BTW, an elderly NY Thruway toll taker, obviously a traditionalist,
once told us that the child's sidecar should be on my wife's bike, not mine.
Have fun, Harvey S. Cohen Lincroft, NJ mtuxo!hsc (201)576-3685