(Non-thumper topic) I'm thinking of buying an outfit...

[pigafetta]

Hi everyone.

I'm thinking of picking up a cheap outfit to fetch my lad to school and back. It doesn't have to be smart or powerful or owt, it just has to do a couple of miles a couple of times a day. I'm looking to spend as litlle as possible but I want something that can be got on the road without much ado or expense. I fancied contacting Smudge about the XBR he posted a while back but I've no way to pick it up (from Dunfermline I think) and didn't fancy getting the train up there then riding it all the way back to Wales given that I have bugger all experience with sidecars.

Anyway, theres a bloke selling a 1981 Kawasaki 440Ltd outfit close to my Dads place on Anglesey that I'm thinking about. Its on Ebay, bids start at £500. Apparently its a bit scruffy but in good working order. So, what do you think? Have any of you ever ridden/owned one of these things? What price seems reasonable? Anybody know anything I should know before I go for it?

I'd be grateful for any advice. I haven't really got a clue...

Cheers,
Dave

[bullet350]

find someone who has ridden sidecars regularly and take them when you go for a look at any outfits.

bad paint and corroded electrical connectors are easy to sort out, but if the chair hasn't been fitted properly you'll be waisting your time. someone who knows about outfits will know within a couple of minutes if its a good 'un or a bad 'un. if its fitted badly it'll always be a nightmare to ride.
remember, you can't polish a turd.

bullet350

[guest7]

This one eh?


Chair and outfit seem to have a bit of 'lean in' which isn't ideal. However, it would probably make a great little rig as long as the bike is ok. The Squire chair looks to be in better nick than some you see on Ebay. It's got a decent wheel and looks to have been loved once.

Wide handlebars would be an advantage for charioteering too.

Ask him to take a picture either head on or arse on so that you can see how the bike sits next the chair. Having said that, it's not terribly hard to adjust the mounts to give the required amount of lean and toe-in. And there's lots of us here to give advice.

I'm confused as to what he's on about with the steering damper. You will need one fitted.

Yep. looks good for £500.
GC

[guest7]

if its fitted badly it'll always be a nightmare to ride.
remember, you can't polish a turd.

bullet350

Good point. I assumed that the chair had been fitted with decent Squire fittings, but of course that's only a guess without decent piccies. Chances are that the fittings are up to the job, but as you say, it may need some fettling to get the geometry right.

I've just mailed the seller asking for piccies of the chair mounts.

Perhaps a TC sidecar section night out can be arranged, along with a morning of chair fettling? 

GC

[guest295]

The Kawa 440 has a good reputation for long life.

[pigafetta]

Yup, thats the one.
Thanks for the input. From what I've gathered so far, the steering damper needs adjusting as he's had the chair off but its rideable. Its initially only got to go a few miles to my Dads place anyway, where it'll be suitably fettled. I'd be grateful if you'd give us an opinion of the chair mounts when the photos appear. I'll contact the seller for some front and rear shots.

The bike itself I can deal with as longer as theres nothing major. If they have a fairly good reputation then thats a good start. I just want to make sure I don't buy a big pain in the arse.

If nothing turns up to put me right off or if the bidding doesn't get away from me, I'll probably go for it.

Thanks for info, if anything else comes to mind let me know.

Dave B

[pigafetta]

Pics of chair mounts have been added...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=110173976540&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=001

Any opinions gratefully accepted.


Dave B

[guest27]

I have been thinking of a similar thing - let us know how it goes.

R

[guest27]

Saw this on flreabay and thought GC could write a nice flowery bit about the juxposition of the iron cross rear light and the Christian fish sticker.....

Mind from what GC said to me I guess the front end is worth the purchase?

Not that I can or would.  There is also a little Jawa stroker combo on there - that is more like me..

R

here

[guest27]

Or even.. looks nice but one has to wonder how big his pants are to get all of that lot in and what he is going to do with the pensioner?....

[pigafetta]

I've stuck a bid on the Kwak 440. We'll see what happens. I haven't got a huge amount of cash so if it gets a few bidders I'll probably get left behind.

I saw the Neval. I don't trust that fella. He's got a bit of a gut on him but theres no way his pants are going to be big enough to hold all those spares.

Dave

[guest18]

Perhaps a TC sidecar section night out can be arranged, along with a morning of chair fettling? 

GC

I know of a suitable location   might even get mine back on the road for it!!  
S  

[guest7]

The chair mounts look okay, they are all proper sidecar mounts. The devil is, as they say, in the detail, but they are waaay better than that clown who fitted a Dnepr chair using jubliee clips 

Cheers
GC

[pigafetta]

I remember that. He was driving his kids around in that thing!

[pigafetta]

Well, I've won the chariot! I went very slightly over budget, got it for £620. Hoping to pick it up thursday. I'll let you know how I get on.

Dave B