FAQ
JARGON
The wonderful and at times wacky world of sidecars has its own jargon, and it varies not only within a country, but between as well. To reduce confusion, I will use the following jargon “in the conduct of business”, and website:
Bike: motorcycle only, or the motorcycle attached to a sidecar (aka tug, tractor).
Body: a sidecar’s body (body only), attached to a chassis.
Chassis: components that interface to the rigging. Includes a leading or trailing arm and its shock absorber to attach a sidecar’s wheel to the chassis.
LBS-NL: LBS Sidecars (LBS Zijspantechniek), Netherlands. Founded by Ad Donkers, who I consider the world’s finest sidecar engineer, designer, fabricator, builder. LBS-USA is an affiliate of LBS-NL.
The LBS-NL website may be found at (clicking this link will open a new window and take you to the LBS-NL website) : https://www.lbszijspantechniek.nl/
LBS-USA: WA State registered LLC (Limited Liability Corporation), doing business as LBS-SIDECARS LLC, USA. Builds selected mid-to-high-end touring and adventure outfits. Sells knock-down sidecar kits, bodies, leading links and components to both shops and owners.
Leading Link: Leading Link forks. The optimal front-end for an outfit. The opposite of a trailing link suspension. Installing an is one of several methods of reducing steering effort by reducing trail. The front wheel is suspended ahead of its pivot point through a link. Other advantages may include reduction in front-end dive under braking, increased resistance to side load-induced flex in turns. A variation of a Leading Link is called an Earle’s Fork.
For a primer on motorcycle forks, see (clicking this link will open a new window and take you to the Wikipedia website): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorcycle_fork#Leading_link
Outfit: bike with an attached sidecar (aka combi, hack, or chair). In the USA, although helmet laws differ, a sidecar is considered a “motorcycle accessory” and is registered and insured as such. It is generally not a special category of motor vehicle. Other than those specific to the motorcycle itself, there are no inspections, regulations, title, or registration changes required to build and operate, or build and sell a sidecar. WA State (where I live) was the second state (after Virginia) to require a special Trike/Sidecar endorsement.
Owner: owner of a bike or outfit.
Rigging: components of a sidecar that interface the chassis to the bike.
Shop: registered commercial business that builds sidecars to customer spec.
Sidecar: one-wheeled device attached to either the right or left side of a bike. Comprised of a body, chassis, wheel, fender, rigging, and subframe.
Subframe: components attached to a bike that interface to the rigging.
URAL SIDECAR
FAQ
Q: Where are you located?
A: USA, Washington State, PNW (Pacific NorthWest), Greater Seattle/Eastside, City of Kenmore. No retail store, build visits by appointment only.
Q: What services do you offer?
A: I am a motorcycle accessory installer and supplier. I install, wire, and align selected sidecar kits and accessories. I supply kits, bodies, leading links, components, and accessories to owners and shops.
For Owners – I will build a complete outfit for you. If you want to build your own, and have the skills and experience to do so (yet, there will be a test!) I can supply kits, bodies and components. I will share what I know or believe and admit what I do not. Due to demand, I can longer service or accessorize outfits other than those LBS has built.
For Shops – I will supply what I am authorized and able to sell. Aside from our LBS products, I am an authorized URAL Service Center. In addition, I am a dealer or importer of Touratech products, Tractive, BITUBO and Shock Factory shocks, GPR Rotary Steering Stabilizers, and MLJ Inc. 16” cast automotive wheels imported from Japan. All boats rise with the tide. I am not a competitor - consider LBS-USA as coopetition (noun - collaboration between businesses in the hope of mutually beneficial results).
EZS RALLY “L” SIDECAR
Q: What don’t you list prices?
A: We are a low-volume/high-mix supplier, as are the companies we represent. Most components are one-off, all are hand-fabricated on precision machine tools. Builds are customized to customer spec, all are unique. Should you inquire, we’re happy to offer “ballpark” estimates for most components and builds - no sales pitch, no pressure.
Q: What are “ballpark” prices for a build?
Sidecar Bodies range from $4,000 to $7,000 (body only)
Sidecar Kits (complete, body, chassis, rigging, cradle, sidecar wheel) $8,000 to $18,000
Leading Link Fork Kits range from $4,000 to $5,000
Custom Wheels range from $1,200 to $2,000
For a full sidecar build, my fixed fee, for design, labor and fabrication is $5,000 for a sidecar rigged to any year BMW R1150GS/A, or 2005 thru early 2013 BMW air/oil-cooled R1200GS/A motorcycle. This is essentially an “all-inclusive” fee, and includes procurement and installation of any and all accessories or specialized components.
For a full sidecar build, rigged to a BMW 2013 thru current R1200GS/A-LC or R1250GS/A, due to the substantially increased complexity and time required to rig a sidecar, upgrade suspension components and integrate “analog” electrical systems and accessories, my fixed fee for design, labor and fabrication is $6,000. This is essentially an “all-inclusive” fee, and includes procurement and installation of any and all accessories or specialized components.
Labor for leading link installs averages $700 for air/oil-cooled BMW GSes, $1,000 for Liquid-Cooled GSes.
Touratech products are priced at current suggested list. Package discounts may be offered for builds.
ZEUS
Q: Where are your business terms?
A: All sidecar kits, bodies, leading link forks, wheels, and most components are custom and built-to-order. A 50% deposit is required to secure an order and initiate procurement and fabrication. When product is ready, balance due must be paid prior to shipment or installation. Orders may not be cancelled. Payments made against orders are non-refundable unless LBS-USA is unable to fulfill the order, in which case funds will be returned in full.
Q: What is a “build”?
A: You deliver your bike. We create a spec, production and payment schedule. I build your outfit. I provide photo-documented status reports during the build. You are welcome to visit the shop during your build by appointment. I align and test the build. I install and wire accessories. I perform a final functional test. I arrange for delivery, or you may pick-up your outfit.
OCTORUN HIGH PERFORMANCE SIDECAR (JAPAN)
Q: Do you use inch or metric fasteners? Stainless?
A: Nothing is more frustrating than being in the field, and discovering you don’t have the inch/SAE tools needed to service or repair your outfit. Our components come from Europe. We build only with metric fasteners. Any deviation will be noted on a build order. Unless a high-strength grade or alloy is required, all fasteners used are Inox (stainless steel).
Q: Do you sell sidecar bodies (not a kit, just the body)?
A: Yes. We are happy to provide LBS bodies (Stepler sold with chassis only) and components to owners and shops. We are an authorized dealer for URAL, STERN and MOBEC bodies and components.
ABEZ , LH & RH, AT GATHERING IN JAPAN | BMW R1150GS/A & R1200GS/A
Q: Who are your suppliers?
A: We build with or represent the following partners:
LBS Sidecars (LBS Zijspantechniek), Netherlands: Affiliate. sidecar kits, bodies, custom wheels, leading link kits, and components from LBS-NL. Depending on availability, sidecars, bodies and components from the companies LBS-NL represents, to include STERN, RUKO, MOBEC.
Ural Motorcycles/Irbit MotorWorks America: Authorized Service Center. Sidecar kits (sidecars only; no motorcycle, no motorcycle service or repair), bodies, components, accessories.
Touratech-USA: Authorized Dealer (direct retail sales USA only).