Red1

I have found a couple in my area & I hope you folks can help. How do I identify the model and year on a Velorex? Is there an ID plate on the car and where would it be located? The first one is just the car & supposed to be a 700 model from 2005. I have a 2000 Venture – do you need "bike specific" attachments? Are they available for older cars? How much would they cost? (ballpark) Would this sidecar be a good match for my bike? Also – the brake is not working and he said there is no cable – are parts available to fix that? He’s asking $2800 – is that a decent price? I have included a picture if that might help. What do I look for so I don't get screwed? And what price could I buy it and break even if I had to sell it? He has the convertible top, too. The second one is mounted on a 1984 Suzuki GS1100. The seller knows nothing about the car – not age, model, etc and there are very few pics of the car. I attached a pic of that rig – can you tell what year or model the car is? He's asking $4K for the rig, the bike has about 35K miles on it & value is about $1800 form the bike alone (Kelley). My thought was to buy this one as a "trainer" and see if I can learn to drive it. And if I even like it before I throw a bunch of money into getting a sidecar on my bike. Then, if I don't kill myself in the process - I could re-sell the 'Zuki and put the car on my Venture. Alternate plan -- If I bought BOTH at a good price - I could fix the brake and get the car all gussied up while I learned to drive a sidecar rig w/ the 1100. If I like it - attach the car to the Venture, then sell the '84 Suzuki as a complete rig. And if I don't like the sidecar thing - sell them both. Thoughts? And it's way easier to post here w/ pics than on the sidecar forum!

LOL Good thing we don't have a Queen, then.

Good info, Jamsie - I've seen some rigs with car tires on the rear - wondered about that. Makes sense. We might drive on the wrong side, but at least we know how to spel TIRE. Thanks!

Thanks for taking the time to go thru the Q's, MJ. Thoughtful answers based on experience - exactly what I was looking for. I found an '84 Suzuki 1100 w/ a sidecar for $4K (asking). I may pick up some rig like that before I spend a bunch of $$$$ on a new(er) sidecar and installation. I could learn to ride a rig and learn for myself what features I want/need before I shop for a sidecar or buy one that isn't right for my bike. THEN, if I like it, drop the cash on a matching car for my bike and sell the old rig w/o taking a big hit.Thanks again.

Got it, thanks:beer:

Yeah, that's good advice. I'd like to do that for sure. But I think I could adjust to the difference in exchange for the advantages.

I started a new thread because much of the info in previous threads had outdated links & info. Texas Sidecars out of business, other links 404. Wow, this is an daunting task. I've been considering getting a 2nd bike with a hack, or adding a sidecar to my 2000 Yamaha Venture. I was considering a getting a used Ural, but they want a small fortune for an OLD used Ural and the reliability issues I've heard kinda steered me away from that. I think I can add a new matched sidecar for less than the cost of a complete used "fairly new" rig. I like the idea of being able to disconnect the tub if I want and go back to 2 wheels. Plus only 1 bike to insure & maintain & garage makes $ sense to me. I've been reading the forums, checking out the websites, etc. - trying to do my homework. But the websites are not real user friendly & don't make it easy to compute costs of the finished rig.Trying to decide on which sidecar & which options to choose is a full-time job! How in the world do you narrow the choices having never driven a bike with a sidecar? Do I select a model & options then get a quote for each one I like (meaning my wife likes)? Are there some dealers/manufacturers to avoid? Are some rigs more comfy for the passenger? Some handle better than others? Options I should definitely get? Some options not worth the $$? HELP?

Thanks, guys - useful info. Once I know the location where and when we're meeting up, and get a better idea of the weather forecast - I'll make the decision as to ride or drive. Never been a fan of big city driving. I grew up on the south side of Chicago, so I've done it - just not a bike. And these bikes are not exactly built for slow traffic, quick reaction type of riding. I will mull my options & then ..............choose wisely. :-)

I have a meeting with a friend in NYC in mid-April and was considering a ride out there. I have couple of concerns - 1. I don't really want to ride into NYC. Navigating in a city I'm totally unfamiliar with is not my idea of fun. I'd prefer to stay outside the city and take a train in. Any suggestions on possible locations (towns & motels near a train station) where I could safely leave my bike for a day or 2? How far out of the city do the trains run? And what's it cost about? Gotta factor all that crap in. 2. Weather - Not sure how the weather is out that way in mid-April. I don't mind cold rain, but freezing rain or snow scares the $tuffing out of me. I know I'd have to cross over some mountains in PA - how likely is it that I may encounter freezing temps and or freezing crap on the roads? I'm thinking I can take I-80 most of the way there & I would guess that they keep the superslabs fairly clean, yes? Any advice, suggestions, locations to be avoided, etc. would be appreciated. If the weather is decent, and I have the time - I may run up to NH to see an old buddy, then down to NC to my daughter. May as well make a real road trip out of it.

The Biker's Code by Author Unknown It used to be that all bikers shared a common bond, an unspoken code of ethics and behavior that transcended words and was built on actions. There was never a bible written on this Biker's Code and there was no need for such. But the times are a-changin' and there seems to be a lot of new riders out there. These days the riders you see blastin' down the road are just as likely to be clad in shorts and sneakers as jeans and engineer boots. And the roughest, toughestlooking biker you pull up next to could be your doctor or lawyer and may be wearin' a Rolex watch under his leathers. There's nothing wrong with that, so long as these new riders learn the Code just as we old-timers did. Being a biker used to be about using your creativity to take a basket case old hawg and using only grit and ingenuity, turning it into a one-of-a-kind eye dazzler, then risking your life on the asphalt on a bike you made yourself out of pride. Bikers wore leather and grease because they knew cagers would just as soon run them down as look at them, so they had to be intimidating. We were a breed unto ourselves with no union, no support group, and in many cases, no family (they threw us out). We had to make it in the world of our own, against all rules, against mainstream society, and against all odds. We survived and prospered because of the Biker Code and we never took **** from anybody. As an old scooter bro once said, "It's every tramp's job to school the young. How else are they gonna know a Panhead from a bed pan?" With that in mind, we bring you a primer on the basic two-wheeled Code. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Take heed, brothers and sisters, for our Code is a hallowed one filled with honor and loyalty, the likes of which have not been since the days of knighthood: Don't take any ****. Be kind to women, children and animals, but don't take any bull****. This is an essential part of being a biker. It has to do with respect and honor. Anyone can be a quick-tempered fool. Be cool, stand tall and backup what you say with action. Never lie, cheat or steal. Another way of saying this is to always tell the truth. Bikers are always the greasy bad guys in the movies, but every real biker knows that his word is his bond. Your word is all you have in life that is truly yours. Guard it carefully and be something noble, for you are a true knight of the road. Don't snitch. If you see a wrong, fight it yourself, if you are about anything you'll take care of problems yourself and never feel the need to snitch someone off. Snitches are the lowest life forms on earth, right up there with biker thieves. Don't Whine. Absolutely no one likes or respects a whiner. Another way to say this is hold your mud. Still another way to think of it is, "Don't sweat the small stuff" . Most of life's little inconveniences workthemselves out whether you whine or not. Keep your chin up, dammit! You're a biker, not some lowly snail.. Never say die and never give up. Whether it's in a fight, a debate, or a business deal, no matter how bad it gets, a biker never gives up. Help others. When a brother or sister is broken down by the side of the road, always stop and help them. Even moral support, if that is all you can give, is better than riding on by. Remember life is about the journey, the ride, not getting there. You already are there. And don't just help bikers, show the world that we are better than our image portrays us. Courtesy costs you nothing and gives you everything. Stick to your guns. Do what you say you'll do, be there when you say you will. This is called integrity. This also goes back to standing for something. Like the song says, "You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything." Life is not a drill. Yeah, this ain't no dress rehearsal. This is life -- go out and take big bites of it. You've got no time to lose and bikers don't stand around waiting for the party to come to them. You only go around once. Tomorrow you could be road kill, thanks to a chain smoker asleep at the wheel of his Caddy. Live life now, make the most of each moment. All right, now let's review. You are a biker, a modern-day knight of the road. Protect the weak, walk tall and stand proud. Your word is your bond. Stick to your guns. Don't take any ****. Life is not a drill. Now go forth and ride. When in doubt, ride. That's what we do...ride. If you want to ride around in a Day-Glo Hawaiian shirt and sandals, go for it, but if you intend to look like a idiot, at least don't act like an idiot. These commandments are just a few of the broad strokes, there is a lot more to being a biker than buying a bike. If you just buy a bike, you are a motorcyclist. Being a biker is a way of life, a proud way of life we hold in high regard with a burning passion for the open highway. What say you?

Coming back from MS in '08 & was less than 50 miles from home when the bike just died. I coasted to the side of Hwy 151 and started the process of figuring out what had happened. Many bikes passed by, no one - on any brand - stopped. A van pulls up behind me and asked if I needed help. Turns out he owned the Beaver Dam Honda dealership (which was on the other side of the big slab) and had just happened to come in that Sunday to check on something and saw me working on the bike. He went back to the shop, got his trailer, we loaded the bike and my trailer into it (no small task) and he took us to the dealership so the bike could be secured inside overnight. That was my first experience with loose connections at the ignition switch. I think it's harder to stop for folks broke down when you're traveling on the I-system at 75 mph. I don't fault anyone for NOT stopping, but I always stop when I can do so safely, especially on the smaller highways and backroads where the next town or passing traveler might be a long ways down the road.

Here's my nickel's worth - I look at these rallies as an opportunity to ride some roads I have not ridden and see some things I haven't seen. I enjoy the ride there and back as much as the time at the rally. And as I plan my routes - I look for fun roads & stops along the way that are things of interest for myself and my wife. Some time at Mammoth Cave will be one of those stops if we go the IR in AL. Coming back from the Hub in Arkansas, we stopped In Hannibal, MO, saw Mermac Caverns and the Motorcycle Museum in IA. The riding to and from is as much a part of the vacation as the time at the rally for me and the missus. When I'm there - I also look for things I wouldn't be able to do or see at home. I'm not a fan of the big, organized group ride - I prefer to find my fun at my own pace. I don't look to the daily agenda as MY agenda - making sure my wife & I have a good time is our responsibility. So we'll visit a local winery or brewery, see some local history, maybe go shoot a hog or go fishing or check out some local backroads. The south is gonna be hot in the summer - always has been, always will be. Not much to discuss here. There are ways to keep cool and at least it's not snowing. If you go, then suck it up, Buttercup and don't complain about the frickin' heat. Sometimes I can make the time to go to these rallies and sometimes I can't if they are too far away. But more often than not, the destination is just the excuse I need to log some saddle time and force me to take a real vacation. I appreciate those who take the time to set these rallies up and create the opportunity (and the reason) for me to take some time off and ride. While I still can. So - I'll deal with the heat, find my own motel if I think the host hotel is too pricey, and I'll make sure I have fun. Hopefully, I can make to AL (or wherever the next one is) and look forward to seeing ya'll again. Now - can someone set up a IR in Alaska? I REALLY want to ride there!

No need to hunt down HD's, just wait for them to die at the side of the road. Who says Canucks heve no sense of humor?

Sounds like a workable plan. Gotta get the hog first, of course. Dry ice can be hard to find sometimes - if you can find someone down there that carries it - post it here. I was hoping we'd get some 'bama Venture riders to jump in here with some local intel, but it kinda looks like we may be planning this from the north. I'll do some digging & make some calls after Labor Day. Local wildlife officers can be a lot of help and info . Here's a link to the public hunting areas in AL (WMA's) http://www.outdooralabama.com/hunting/land/wildlife-areas/wmamaps/ And here's a .pdf on Hunting Feral Hog on the WMA's - worth a read. http://www.outdooralabama.com/outdoor-alabama/hogwild.pdf Anybody gets any info - post it.

You've obviously NEVER slept in the same cabin as Black Owl!

Ooo - sarcasm, my favorite! I think some folks were taken aback by how virulently you opposed waving in the original post. Calling it a "scourge" and "dangerous"...... a little over the top, maybe? Kids on cellphones and bluehairs looking thru the steering wheel - that's a scourge in my book. Suicidal deer - they're dangerous. Waving is a personal choice thing. So relax, chill and enjoy your ride, amigo. And I really don't care what some other guy thinks about my bike, how he/she waves or whether they wave at all.

IS THAT A THREAT .............OR A WARNING? Ride safe.

HA! We ate there and stayed at the BW, too. Good food!

Mmmmm. Bacon........... & Pork loin, smoked ham & shoulder roast....... A spanferkel at the resort?

Lots of details to work out - plenty of time to do it.

LOL This could go rapidly downhill..........but I will keep my commentary suitable for a family forum. Does the word "straddle" mean anything to you? Remember - only 1 of you has to watch the road. Now go practice in the garage with your favorite sweetie before you get on the open road. :rotf:

Oh - it IS! But it's also dang:banana:erous!

Now if you are coming, Mr. Owl - we can just load it in your truck, right?

I thought about that, too. I can skin and quarter it. If we can find a local butcher shop (some place guys take deer for processing) ~ we can get it frozen. If it's frozen in big chunks (hams, front shoulder, etc) then put it in a cooler - it should easily stay frozen for the 2 day ride home. I also thought about lining my trailer with 1.5" foam and making it into a big cooler as an option.

I have a friend that ride a motorcycle and he only has 1 arm - he generally does NOT wave. I typically wave & don't care if they don't wave back. I also wave at folks on their porch, Amish in buggies, pretty girls on the street and people that wait for me to go past them instead of pulling out in front of me. Don't do it if it bothers you, but I hardly think its dangerous. I also remove my hand from the grip to push up my glasses, change the tune on my MP3, scratch my nose, flip the reserve lever, push in the choke and open the vent in my windshield - although not all at the same time. Having sex while you're riding is dangerous - waving is just being friendly.