Henry Ford killed the sidecar.

Side car made the fast growing in popularity motorcycle that more functional. Put dad and mom on a buddy seat and two kids squeezed into the side car. Or bring home a load of groceries. Or carry plenty of luggage for a trip.

Thing is Ford made owning a car that could carry and do more then a motorcyle with or without a sidecar and for a lot less money.

1926 JD $335 dollars plus $ for a sidecar.
1926 Model T touring sedan for $270.

Not everyone even back then wanted to dress as a pirate or power ranger. More wanted the superior load capability of a car.

Also by the 1920's there was a whole new generation that had been raised driving in touring cars with tops and side curtains and sedans to protect them from the weather. Combined with the rain gear available now wasn't back then.

Remember in 1903 an earlier generation went out in the open weather going on a horse, or open wagon. So they were not phased by being in the open on a motorcycle and sidecar.

Just a matter of dollars and comfort.

I think a lot of people would give a sidecar a try today but they are too expensive, and no one has a set up that can be disconected or connected quickly with no or few tools, and the alignment will be dead on without having to readjusted.

And, with the availability of trailers that can be pulled by motorcycles that can carry just as much luggage as a sidecar with a quick hookup or unhook with no alignment issues makes trailering fit the need for hauling better then a sidecar.

However I always liked the photo where a guy has a sidecar to take his dog on trips. $5000+ is too rich for me to take my dog for a ride.

 

I would love to have a hack but I don't have any place to put it or money to buy it and keep my present ride. I think the automobile killed the market for sidecars although after WW11 racing hacks became very popular in several areas. I would like to have one for travel with my wife and dog.

 

Trikes.. see more of them everyday.

 

I prefer the looks of a sidecar over a trike and in the future when I need the 3 wheels, I'll probably go the sidecar route rather than a trike.
If there was one that could be mounted/dismounted quickly I'd try to invest in one now for my son to ride with me.

But I'm with everyone else, cars and trikes killed the demand.

 

Reading this thread has once again put a bug up my *** and I'm looking at sidecars again (this has to be the 5th time in the last two years) and I came across this setup on ebay.

This bike and hack is sweet! I'm half tempted to borrow against my life ins policy but calmer heads must prevail, not to mention I'd have to live on the street sleeping the hack when my OL found out what I did. Sure is a nice unit though.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Harle...Q5fmotorcycles

 

damn, that's sweet
is that an exhaust shield below the coil?

 

Ya, it's a heat shield.

 

it needs a windshield and seat, and some minor fiber glass work i am asking $1400 just what i paid for it. it is maroon with a black fender with an airbrushed skull on it.

 

Gonzee, I'm gonna send you a PM in a couple minutes.