Itwould have been Doug Bingham’s 45thGriffith Park Sidecar Rally this coming October, 2016 but his “flyingchair” will be empty this next go-around. After nearly halfcentury’s full-time dedication to the promotion of the sidecarexperience, on this past January 27, 2016, Doug passed away at age76.
SayingDoug lived, breathed, ate, slept, dreamed sidecars would be noexaggeration. He expressed that passion by constantly promotingpublic consciousness about the sport, fought for its rights andsafety improvements, and of course designing and building sidecars ashe helped put untold numbers of people on three-wheels. In 1964 heestablished Side Strider, Inc., the shop located in Van Nuys whereover the decades he melded all makes, models and years of streetbikes into sidecar combinations, the “rigs” fitted for thestreet, off-roading and the tracks, literally different strokes forall kinds of folks.
Andwhen you’re talking unique machines, that goes hand and glove withthe unique individuals piloting them, men, women, veteran andyoung…from 70cc tiddlers to ferocious multi-cylinder superbikepowerplants, Doug had them on his radar and those in the sidecarnetwork knew that “Mr. Sidecar” was the go-to guy. One of hismain endeavors as a national sidecar ambassador, including serving asthe Director of the Sidecar Industry Council, was helping the newgeneration transition to the experience of “sidehacking.”
Dougalso put his skills to the test, and himself literally on the line asa top level track competitor that earned him the 1968 and 1969Sidecar Road Racing Championships. While he enjoyed bikes of allflavors, in this case he was piloting a Harley-Davidson poweredsidecar “rig” of his own design with Ed Wade as racingpassenger/co-pilot.
Listingonly a few of his accolades, the 50-year AMA and Charter Life memberwas voted the winner of the 1998 AMA MVP Award for advancing thecause of motorcycling, followed in 2003 by induction into the AMAMotorcycle Hall of Fame.
Doug’sno longer with us, but his legacy will certainly live on, not only inthe pages of motorcycling history, but in the hearts and minds of themany, like myself, who enjoyed his company, his talents and hisefforts to share that which he loved. Naturally we can just see Dougblasting around whatever three-wheeling event he’s moved onto andno doubt leading the way as always.We’llmiss you, Doug.
Inkeeping with that legacy, this rider/writer, having known Doug forsome 30 years, would like to add an interview he gave me some tenyears ago when I asked him to give bike fans an overview ofsidecar-ing…in Doug’s case…side-careing.Here it is:
SoDoug, how does one get into riding a sidecar for the first time?
Thatraises the question, what size bike do I need to haul a sidecar?
“Backin England when sidecars were popular after WWII, a big bike was a500cc. Even the BMWs of the time, 500cc bikes, were purpose made forsidecars. So today you hitch a sidecar up to a 400 or 500cc bike andit will be fine. Even the new scooters will take a sidecar. The onlyrule about shopping around for a used bike for your sidecar is tomake sure it has an exposed frame rather than a bike covered up withbody parts. You need to be able to attach the sidecar to the frame.You’ll also need to stiffen up the rear suspension and we recommenda steering damper. And you need to know how to use a phone…so youcan call if you need help.
Doyou need to have special training and a license for riding a sidecarrig?
“Ridinga sidecar requires understanding new techniques in addition to ridinga solo motorcycle. If you go to www.sidecar-industry.comunder the “Tech” menu there’s a description how to line up asidecar and how to drive one. There are also some books available.Meeting up with experienced sidecarists is another way to go, forinstance at one of the various sidecar events across the country. Andremember a sidecar will never fall over and you don’t even have toput your feet down when you stop.”
Cana first-timer attach his own sidecar or should he go to an expert?
DoI need to change the tires on my solo back when I attach a sidecar?
Whatkind of price tags are we looking at for an entry level sidecar?
“Themore economical entry level sidecars run between $3-4,000 include theVelorex, the Cozy, and the Texas. Another way to go is the completepackage like the Ural. Enfield also has a package of bike andsidecar. Another sidecar and bike package is offered byHarley-Davidson, but that’s a pricier package.”
What’sthe legal rules and regulations regarding sidecars? Are they bikes orcars?
InCalifornia, you’re not required to have a motorcycle license tooperate a sidecar. You might remember when Gov. Schwarzenegger hadthe accident with his sidecar where the driver backed out in front ofhim, and they made a big stink that he didn’t have a motorcyclelicense. Well, the truth was, he did have a license, a car licenseand that’s all he needed as a CA DMW says with a trike or sidecaryou can operate with a standard driver’s license. As far as I knowthat only state that requires a specific sidecar license isWashington State.
Nowhow do I convince my better half that it’s a good idea for us toget a sidecar?
Basicallyyou talk about sidecar safety.InEngland a while back they used to cut your insurance in half if yourode a sidecar because of the increased safety. You just can’t falldown. And when you go through an intersection in a sidecar, you’resuch of a spectacle that they can’t help but see you which meansthey’re not going to run into you. And you can carry more, peopleand stuff, and it’s just a great family adventure.
