Topic: Vintage Cruiser W/Side Hack

[bill440cars]

        If this baby doesn't say "Vintage", I don't know what does.


         







                     1947 Indian Chief, with Side Car on ebay
                         (posted cause it is sharp looking)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Motorcycles___1947-Indian-Chief-And-Side-Car-Restored-Classic-VIDEO_W0QQitemZ300235206859QQddnZMotorcyclesQQddiZ2283QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item300235206859&

[fuzzybutt]

that video just made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, wonder what it'll sell for since it isnt a numbers matching bike.

[Venturous]

That is shhhhweeet!

Only problem with that rig is it still only a two person ride so I still couldn't take both my kids riding like I can with my little CB hack..

[bill440cars]

That is shhhhweeet!

Only problem with that rig is it still only a two person ride so I still couldn't take both my kids riding like I can with my little CB hack..

          While it does look like a 2 person ride, if you'll take another look at the seat on the motorycyle, you'll notice that it is kinda long and, back in the day, that seat was the 2 person model and actually would make the rig a 3 person ride. It'll go for some pretty good bucks though, which would make it "Too Expensive For Me!" Would  be cool though, to just get it out now and then and tool off down the road. Gotta watch those Right Hand Turns though!

[Venturous]

Well, as I am learning, ya gotta watch the left hands turns also. You take them fast enough, you can raise the rear bike tire and plant the nose of the chair into the road..

[Venturous]

Speaking of hacks for sale...

On www.sidecar.com a fellow has a '78 CB750 with a Velorex sidecar for sale..

I do not know the guy nor anything about the bike. Just passing along what I seen..

He says...

I am selling my 1978 Honda CB750F with 5,600 miles and with it a Velorex 700 sidecar. The guy I got the hack from put the fender on, and the windshield was held together w/duct tape so I made my own from 1/4" lexan.
The bike was just inspected, and has a clean PA title. Runs good and has a new battery. I'm not sure the year of the hack, but the windshield still tilts out. Both my kids are away at college and the dog has found better things to do than ride with dad. asking $2500, and I have the original seat, other side cover, and some other misc items for the bike.

[bill440cars]

Well, as I am learning, ya gotta watch the left hands turns also. You take them fast enough, you can raise the rear bike tire and plant the nose of the chair into the road..

           Yeah, I am also learning. I'd never heard about the Left turn caution though. Have to keep my eye on that one. Here's a couple of shots of my 80' CB750K w/sidecar. Got a bag that is filled with about 150lbs of weights (for use in the sidecar when no one is in it.

           






          Just saw that you had posted that other sidecar setup that is for sale. Seems like a good price. 

[Venturous]

Looks like you have a Spirit Eagle sidecar also. I'm kinda digging that rack/head rest someone added. Any idea if that is homemade or what it might have come off of??

As I understand, the left turn issue is moslty an issue on downhill left handers where you might have a tendacy to come off the throttle quick or brake in the turn. The sidecar drivers manual I got suggests leaning back and to the left to put more weight over the rear tire in left handers. I keep 50lbs of ballast behind the seat all the time. Seems to be enough so far to keep me from flying the chair empty but not enough to overload when someones riding.

The previous owner gave me this book when I bought the rig from him. Seems pretty good.
http://www.whitehorsepress.com/product_info.php?products_id=1105

[bill440cars]

Looks like you have a Spirit Eagle sidecar also. I'm kinda digging that rack/head rest someone added. Any idea if that is homemade or what it might have come off of??

          I wasn't sure just what model mine was. Got it from a buddy of mine and he was told that it was a California sidecar (possibly a Companion?) It was originally hooked up to a SOHC CB750K owned by Leroy Winters in Fort Smith Arkansas. His family was into motorcycle racing back in the 60's or so. Not sure, but he and his brother Robert might have been heard of by some (or not). They raced Triumphs and Harleys back then. Leroy went on to open a Honda Dealership while also participating in Trials and I think maybe some of the Jack Pine events as well. Robert went on to open up a Yamaha Dealership and I think he got into photography of racing events and also some kind of motorcycle product testing as well. That may (or may not) have been interesting to some. At any rate, Leroy put that rack/headrest on there and I have no idea where it might have come from. It doesn't look to be homemade though. If I can find out just what it is, I'll get back to you. Leroy died about a couple of years ago. It may very well be the brand and model you believe it to be. I also gt another body with it, when I got this sidecar. I like the fact that it is a small sporty looking model.

       

As I understand, the left turn issue is moslty an issue on downhill left handers where you might have a tendacy to come off the throttle quick or brake in the turn. The sidecar drivers manual I got suggests leaning back and to the left to put more weight over the rear tire in left handers. I keep 50lbs of ballast behind the seat all the time. Seems to be enough so far to keep me from flying the chair empty but not enough to overload when someones riding.

The previous owner gave me this book when I bought the rig from him. Seems pretty good.
http://www.whitehorsepress.com/product_info.php?products_id=1105

        That left turn business sounds like something to keep in mind.
I said that I was given a bag with 150lbs for ballast, My Mistake, I should have said 100lbs. I may very well readjust that wight in the bag to 50lbs like you are carrying. I was referred by some folks here, to go to sidecar.com for the skinny on mounting the sidecar  and adjusting it out, alng with some of the particulars of operation.
I have about decided to put it over on my 77' CB750A as soon as (if) I can get it going well.
                                    Take care,  Bill

[Venturous]

Yes, it could also be a California or Champion. From what I have learned on sidecar.com, mine is a Spirit Eagle. From what I can gather from the regulars there... Spirit of America made this sporty design first and it was later copied by Champion and other companies. I was told mine was a Spirit Eagle because of the spokes wheel. They said the Champions and other later copies used a cast wheel. I also like the sleek look of these little cars as opposed to the boxy look of many of the others I've seen. Can't wait to see how it looks painted Candy Gold with a black stripe down the middle.. 

BTW, here is a link to some scanned installation instructions for the Spirt Eagle. Even if your is a later copy, this should help. These helped me discover the previous owner had mine installed wrong..

http://www.sidecar.com/megabbs/thread-view.asp?threadid=4295&MessageID=24060#24060

Heres a place for new windscreen for that hack if you need it:
http://www.bikescreen.com/proddetail.asp?prod=AmericanspiritEagleSidecar

[754]

Geez Bill, Ya made me laff..

 When you mentioned the 10 & 150 lb bag...

I was reminded of a buddy named Rod, who had a custom shop.. did a lot of work for him, may he RIP..

Anyways, One day he is getting groceries and the checkout gall asked if he needed a bag?... His Reply, "Nah i got one she's sitting outside in the purple Camaro...".....LOL..




The green F thing is horrid..

[TwoTired]

The green F thing is horrid..

What would be a better color?

[754]

Lots of other colours..

 I have a green one, but not like that..

 The hack is not helping the looks.. BUT, as long as the owner liked it, it does not matter.

selling though is another matter..

[bill440cars]

Yes, it could also be a California or Champion. From what I have learned on sidecar.com, mine is a Spirit Eagle. From what I can gather from the regulars there... Spirit of America made this sporty design first and it was later copied by Champion and other companies. I was told mine was a Spirit Eagle because of the spokes wheel. They said the Champions and other later copies used a cast wheel. I also like the sleek look of these little cars as opposed to the boxy look of many of the others I've seen. Can't wait to see how it looks painted Candy Gold with a black stripe down the middle.. 

BTW, here is a link to some scanned installation instructions for the Spirt Eagle. Even if your is a later copy, this should help. These helped me discover the previous owner had mine installed wrong..

http://www.sidecar.com/megabbs/thread-view.asp?threadid=4295&MessageID=24060#24060

Heres a place for new windscreen for that hack if you need it:
http://www.bikescreen.com/proddetail.asp?prod=AmericanspiritEagleSidecar

          If the spoked wheel is a difference, then I suppose mine IS a Spirit Eagle also. I kinda looked around on line, when I got it, but couldn't be real sure of what it actually was. The windshield on mine, is kind of a wrap around type and is in pretty good shape. That Candy Gold w/ a Black stripe, sounds pretty cool. Like to see it, when you get it done. MY intentions are to get the 750A up and running, put the Windjammer back on it, hang the sidecar on IT and paint it as a unit. Not sure about color or scheme yet. Haven't thought that far ahead.

           Thanks for those links too! I've got instructions on the installation, that came from sidecar.com (even though I'm not sure where they are at the present). That link for Windshields is a "nice to have thing" also.

                                    Take care, Bill

[bill440cars]

       About the 750F with the Velorex, I'm not much on THAT model of the Velorex and would rather have that bike without that particular sidecar. The color of the bike doesn't really bother me that much. Don't know that I'd paint one that color, but if I could pick up a deal on the bike that, I would.    

[TwoTired]

       About the 750F with the Velorex, I'm not much on THAT model of the Velorex and would rather have that bike without that particular sidecar. The color of the bike doesn't really bother me that much. Don't know that I'd paint one that color, but if I could pick up a deal on the bike that, I would.    

So, the 2002 Velorex 700 on that F is the style I got recently for $800.  I've got three CB750Fs, and it looks like frame mount access points are the most easily accessible on these bikes compared to my other bikes.  Besides, the displacement is better suited 750 vs 550, as well as the brakes.

Guess I know the answer about whether to post pictures on this forum...  Or, does the factory Red paint make all the difference? 

Whatever happen to the "make what you have work for you" attitude?  I suppose now I'm expected to get a bike with a style that matches the Velorex.  A Harley, perhaps?

[754]

Actually the Jawa California is a puurrrrfect match....

[bill440cars]

       About the 750F with the Velorex, I'm not much on THAT model of the Velorex and would rather have that bike without that particular sidecar. The color of the bike doesn't really bother me that much. Don't know that I'd paint one that color, but if I could pick up a deal on the bike that, I would.    

So, the 2002 Velorex 700 on that F is the style I got recently for $800.  I've got three CB750Fs, and it looks like frame mount access points are the most easily accessible on these bikes compared to my other bikes.  Besides, the displacement is better suited 750 vs 550, as well as the brakes.

Guess I know the answer about whether to post pictures on this forum...  Or, does the factory Red paint make all the difference? 

Whatever happen to the "make what you have work for you" attitude?  I suppose now I'm expected to get a bike with a style that matches the Velorex.  A Harley, perhaps?

           Sorry about that TT, I didn't mean to imply that ANY one shouldn't feel free to post their bike and or sidecar on here. Ya gotta admit that the Velorex hooked up to that green 750F WOULD look alot better IF it were painted up a bit. Myself, I never said that ANY sidecar shouldn't be put on a 750F. If that's what you've got and YOU like it, go for it! IMHO. it takes a certain sort of person to even want to deal with a sidecar anyway. That being said, remember, I have a sidecar also. I just think that, if the sidecar were painted to sort of make it set off the bike, I'm sure it would be more attractive looking. Kinda like, alot of folks don't care for a Windjammer and if you leave the fairing Black or White, it tends to stick out, but if you try to color code it, it tends to blend in with the bike more. So, I hope you'll feel like posting yours, when (and if) you are ready.      

[bill440cars]

Actually the Jawa California is a puurrrrfect match....

           I wonder why.