Malamute
Adventurist
Way back in the 1900s I rode motorcycles, I had a 1947 H-D that I built in a later swingarm frame as a road bike. I was doing 20-25k/year on it, cross country trips, and all over Az. Living in the Flagstaff area, it also became the dirt road and semi-offroad bike also. I was usually able to get back into some pretty interesting places by picking my line, and avoiding many of the rocks and ruts that made it somewhat challenging in a pickup. Nobody told me you couldnt do it, so i just went ahead and did. I stopped riding in the late 80s.
Fast forward, I started getting interested in bikes again after seeing a nice 49 H-D custom last spring. It was way out of my budget, and adding electric start would add another 2500 on such an old bike (kick starting one is not practical with my messed up body). A friend mentioned a 1984 H-D he had, I didnt want such a new bike, but upon some thought, it occurred to me that it was now about as old as my 47 was when i was riding it, and it seemed really old at the time. Funny how time flies by. Or not so funny.
So, being somewhat handicapped by injuries, and having a full time adventure dog, I realized Id need a sidecar. Falling over at stops isnt cool. Sidecar learning progressed, I decided which style and type I wanted, and started paying attention to what was around. A couple US companies make some high quality cars that are up to the task of use on a heavy bike, and capable of moderate offroad running. I'm not racing, but want to only be limited by the ability of the rig to physically make it in places I like to go, a well built rig was needed, as well as a large opening for the dog, including a door cutout to making getting in and out simple, good sized trunk, good ground clearance, and good suspension. Most had good rack options for tying the required mountains of gear on for travel and dirt road exploring.
So, the current status of the Malamute H-D adventure bike, a 1984 H-D FXSB, the big twin in Low Rider format, with slightly longer forks (2" longer than FX, 4" longer than FLH/full dresser types) than most models, the old style dual tanks, and basic stripped down style. Its the same chassis as the full dresser bikes, but with skinnier front end and rear fender, and without all the junk they pile on the full dressers. Ive located a used DMC sidecar that looks like the style I want, that should be coming together a bit later.
This was my 47, taken about 1983,
I havent gained any common sense about where a supposed road bike will go. My intent is a cross country capable bike, but mostly I want to make short rides around warm places, like the Verde area in Az, with some dirt road exploring and comfortable camping one day. It will take some time to be able to ride very much, but this is the most interested Ive been about getting out in the hills since being injured several years ago. Just getting out in the open air with the dog will also be fun.
Adventure dog in a sidecar, borrowed from the net. Its a russian bike and sidecar, but the same general style of sidecar several companies are making. When I googled "motorcycle sidecar with dog" I was really surprised at how many people had sidecars for their dogs.
Fast forward, I started getting interested in bikes again after seeing a nice 49 H-D custom last spring. It was way out of my budget, and adding electric start would add another 2500 on such an old bike (kick starting one is not practical with my messed up body). A friend mentioned a 1984 H-D he had, I didnt want such a new bike, but upon some thought, it occurred to me that it was now about as old as my 47 was when i was riding it, and it seemed really old at the time. Funny how time flies by. Or not so funny.
So, being somewhat handicapped by injuries, and having a full time adventure dog, I realized Id need a sidecar. Falling over at stops isnt cool. Sidecar learning progressed, I decided which style and type I wanted, and started paying attention to what was around. A couple US companies make some high quality cars that are up to the task of use on a heavy bike, and capable of moderate offroad running. I'm not racing, but want to only be limited by the ability of the rig to physically make it in places I like to go, a well built rig was needed, as well as a large opening for the dog, including a door cutout to making getting in and out simple, good sized trunk, good ground clearance, and good suspension. Most had good rack options for tying the required mountains of gear on for travel and dirt road exploring.
So, the current status of the Malamute H-D adventure bike, a 1984 H-D FXSB, the big twin in Low Rider format, with slightly longer forks (2" longer than FX, 4" longer than FLH/full dresser types) than most models, the old style dual tanks, and basic stripped down style. Its the same chassis as the full dresser bikes, but with skinnier front end and rear fender, and without all the junk they pile on the full dressers. Ive located a used DMC sidecar that looks like the style I want, that should be coming together a bit later.
This was my 47, taken about 1983,
I havent gained any common sense about where a supposed road bike will go. My intent is a cross country capable bike, but mostly I want to make short rides around warm places, like the Verde area in Az, with some dirt road exploring and comfortable camping one day. It will take some time to be able to ride very much, but this is the most interested Ive been about getting out in the hills since being injured several years ago. Just getting out in the open air with the dog will also be fun.
Adventure dog in a sidecar, borrowed from the net. Its a russian bike and sidecar, but the same general style of sidecar several companies are making. When I googled "motorcycle sidecar with dog" I was really surprised at how many people had sidecars for their dogs.
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