Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site zehntel.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxj!ihnp4!zehntel!zinfandel!joe From: joe@zinfandel.UUCP Newsgroups: net.cycle Subject: Re: Sidecars - Any recommendations? (Pos Message-ID: <1597@zehntel.UUCP> Date: Sun, 23-Sep-84 04:17:51 EDT Article-I.D.: zehntel.1597 Posted: Sun Sep 23 04:17:51 1984 Date-Received: Wed, 26-Sep-84 04:56:02 EDT Sender: diana@zehntel.UUCP Organization: Zehntel Inc., Walnut Creek, CA Lines: 44 Nf-ID: #R:ihuxj:-67500:zinfandel:4600034:000:2429 Nf-From: zinfandel!joe Sep 21 09:19:00 1984 sidecars... Hello. I want to discourage you from getting a sidecar. At the very least you should find a way to try driving one before paying for one. They were developed historically as ways to use an existing power source ( the bike ) to transport more cargo in an attempt to avoid the cost of a car. The result was and is a quirky, instable vehicle that takes a special totally un-bike-like riding technique to avoid tipping it over or even steering it. Misapplications of throttle or brakes can thwart your attempts to aim this creature owing to the offset of power delivery from the center of weight. The high center of gravity becomes crucial in its instability now that the bike can't lean. The frame was NOT DESIGNED to take the considerable side loads the side car gives it and usually warps the frame permanently. Have you ever tried riding a bicycle with training wheels since you learned to ride a bike? It's the same only worse. You'll get all the vulnerability of a bike with none of the manuverability. If you want the wind in your hair and capacity for grocery bags you would be better off with a small open topped sports car. A side car rig is a fun toy for a very few, but there are good reasons why you don't see any being used. They enjoy their most devoted following in England where the laws limit drivers of age sixteen to eighteen to motorcycles of small dis- placement and three-wheelers ( for some odd reason ). Sidecars were then so unsporty that they perhaps seemed no medium for teenage high jinks. After the war three wheeled "bikes" were quickly evolved to resemble cars as much as possible with full bodies, doors, windows etc. to capture the market of people to poor or young to own cars. Even today you can find these three wheeled cars in england ( mainly in motorcycle magazines ). Given man's competitive nature sidecar races began which are now the only reliable place to look to find side cars in use. You will note that racing side cars are as close to motorcycles as they are to cruise missiles, with car racing tires, formula 1 type bodies, and limited movement for the "monkey" or passenger. And don't forget that a sidecar handles radically differently when there is no passenger from when there is. You might try carrying sand bags. My sarcasm is only partly fun. I'm also trying to underline the inconvenience and danger in these cute historical anacronisms. Joe Weinstein