Motorbike sidecar

[PeteC]

The photo is already famous DTM. My wife liked it so much it's gone around the world at least twice already on her Facebook. Pete

[Vital Spark]

Great photo, DM. The dogs' expressions amuse me - the one on the left has got a kind of 'Elvis-type' grin, and the one on the right looks a tad apprehensive.

Should have saved the photo for when you next win the caption competition.

VS

[Terry]

Well - I think the occupants look better than the hardware

[dtaai-maai]

Well - I think the occupants look better than the hardware

Are you criticising my hardware, Terence? Who do you think are, an engineer or sumfink???




(ADDENDUM: If you think the occupants look good, you should see the driver...)

[HHTel]

Great sidecar. Tell me, can a 'sidecar' be built to fit a phantom?

[Takiap]

DM, once you get the hang of it, you'll find it very easy to drive/ride. I had one made and fitted a year or so ago, and now I'd be lost without it. It's the cheapest and most reliable pickup on the road, and when the need arises, it's the cheapest and most reliable mini bus on the road.


Seriously though, I have never regretted buying it. The only thing I changed is I had a roof added on to provide shade......something you might want to consider because it does make quite a difference.

[dtaai-maai]

HHTel, re the Phantom - I can only say I think so, but I'm really not sure. These things are pretty much custom made to suit your bike. Be aware that you can't just attach and detach the sidecar when you like. I don't know if that option exists. You can probably make out the phone number on the front of the sidecar. If not, let me know and I'll PM it to you.

Takiap - yes, I've seen the covered versions, and if we were planning on using it more extensively I'd have one fitted. Since it is almost exclusively going to be used first thing in the morning, we'll leave it as it is.

[Terry]

Are you criticising my hardware, Terence? Who do you think are, an engineer or sumfink???

Well actually Mr.dm - as I think you know - I IS AN INGINEER

It's just that, that 'chair' - as we old rockers would say - is hardly aerodynamic is it?

Not like the old 'Watsonian' that I had strapped to my old 'Thunderbird' in the sixties.

Now THESE are sidecars

http://www.watsonian-squire.com/sidecar_gallery.html

The dogs are great tho

Seriously - good on ya for providing them with a great means of transport - bet they love it

[roundeyes]

There is also a place that "attaches" a stabbliser up in Smorprong towards Tippawan Tropical Hill before you reach the developments on the left hand side.... However someone one told me that a trike was only legal if you were dissabled. Not one of these things but a three wheeled motorbike.... anyone know ?

[PeteC]

We take our dogs to the beach at Suanson 4-5 days a week.
........

How do you manage to keep the packs of soi dogs away from them DTM? Big stick, M-16, or is it a beach that's pretty much stray dog free? Golden Retrievers, at least mine, are not known to be the best fighters. Pete

[dtaai-maai]

Careful, Pete, or you'll get your wrists slapped for going off topic!

One of the reasons we go to SuanSon (actually a few hundred metres south) is that there are very few people at that time of the morning and only one cowardly 'soi' dog. The occasional pet with owner is never a problem. We keep the leads handy in case of joggers, fishermen or children as the dogs can be a bit overenthusiastic and boisterous in their desire to spread love and affection... but they're still only 9 months old.

SuanSon also provides you with what must be 5 miles of beach from Takiap to Kao Tao, lots of space with good firm sand.

Before the dogs took over our lives, we used to go to Hat Sai Noi. It's a lovely spot, but not a dog-walking beach. Kao Tao is quite a bit closer to our place, but there are quite a few temple dogs by the beach there. Our dogs are big enough, have lovely deep barks, and the male is built like a brick outhouse, but as you say, retrievers are just big softies.


UPDATE ON THE SIDECAR

For anyone thinking of getting one of these things, here's what I've gleaned so far.

It's worked very well. The dogs love it and instead of trying to break into the car every morning, they now sit impatiently in the sidecar.

The metal floor is a bit slippery for canine paws, but that's easily resolved with an old blanket. We might put some rubber matting in at some point, but there's no hurry.

The Thais get a lot of stick on here for their approach to driving, although we know there are many countries where it's much worse. One thing I do applaud is the motorcycle lane. Yes, yes, I know it's terribly misused and I really don't want yet another boring and useless discussion about driving habits and ignorant Thais, but the motorcycle lane keeps me off the main drag of Petchkasem, which is extremely handy when you can only do 40-50 kph.

One of the problems is that the m/c lane has a bit of a camber, which results in the bike wanting to pull left. Now I understand why you often see these little contraptions a bit further into the road proper than you might expect. I also understand why people wait on the left side of the road before turning right, as it's a bit of a leap of faith to sit on one of these things in the middle of the road!

The main point, though, is the size/power of the m/c. Our ageing 100cc Honda Wave is simply not powerful enough to comfortably pull what must be around 250kgs including the weight of the sidecar. It's not a question of straight-line speed, but of the engine really labouring and being unable to deal with anything approaching a serious incline.

Somebody asked about a Phantom earlier. I used to be a bit sniffy about Phantoms and the like (little bikes dressing up as big ones), but lost that bit of snobbery long ago. Might even get one myself, as I like something a tad more substantial between my legs. I'm sure you boys understand. But I wouldn't use it for a sidecar - I don't think you'd want to be doing 80 kph with one of these things attached.

Cheers all

[Nereus]

I am not a motorcycle user, or fan for that matter. But from an engineering point of view it may be worth trying to see if there is any means of adjusting either the "toe in" or the "camber" on the sidecar wheel. The geometry of the suspension on any moving vehicle very much affects how the vehicle "tracks" on the road. It may not take very much adjustment to improve its handling.

[dtaai-maai]

^^

My father would know exactly what you mean, but although I get the gist, my own background is more along the lines of languages and drama.

Perhaps you could come round to my place and look at my sidecar while I read you some French poetry or sing you a Music Hall song?

[Terry]

................as I like something a tad more substantial between my legs. I'm sure you boys understand.....................

Oh we do ....WE DO!

Seriously - and I know it might be a bit late - but maybe a second hand tuk tuk might have been a better choice of vehicle.

[dtaai-maai]

Never considered it, Terry. Any idea how much?