Sidecars: Once America's Workhorse Are Now Classic Fun
By Bruce Montcombroux

The three-wheeled rig that helped build a nation.

 

The Hugo Young of Loudonville, OH who invented the "flexible" sidecar started a company called the Flxible Side Car Company in 1913. The sidecar wheel leaned with the bike making the rig much better handling. For years after they quit making them the sidecar racing records were still mostly Flxible. Flxible eventually produced hearses, buses, etc. and was once owned by Grumman.

Another Flxible partner was Charles Kettering, founder of Delco. He was the main developer of the electric starter, responsible for the invention of Freon with DuPont, developed the Duco paints, and helped develop the "Bug", an aerial torpedo considered the first missile. At NCR he developed the first electric cash register, and a credit approval system that eventually morphed into our credit cards. He was head of GM research from 1920-1947, and helped invent the additive that boosted octane, tetraethyllead.

 

Pretty cool. Can you bolt a child car seat into one?

 

They used to call these worms!!!
Worm racing

 

I did in my Harley RLE sidecar.

 

I must say the kids love seeing the sidecar. Fun to drive too.