Now this... THIS is class!

[harryball]

When taking a break from all the stress of bat house building and ShopBotting, Benny and I have found something we both enjoy. :cool:

http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=26522&stc=1

[scottp55]

Earles fork Boxer?
What's not to like:)

[Brady Watson]

Too cool! :cool:

-B

[myxpykalix]

And i'm sure when you were looking at this to buy and add the sidecar you didn't have the wife or kids in mind as passengers! It looks like you have a special seatbelt for him. I'm glad you have something you can enjoy.

[scottp55]

Yep, Your passenger certainly seems happier than mine back on the day I found him:)

[srwtlc]

Excellent!

70º on November 2 in WI, I should be doing that too! Instead, I'm wielding a chainsaw and swinging a splitting mall for the day's that it's not going to be 70º! ;)

[harryball]

It is actually a 2008 Ural Tourist. It's Russian made and is purpose built with the sidecar. Yep, the plan was for Benny to ride with me. Surprisingly, however, my wife came out one day and said "If you want to go to dinner, I'll ride in the sidecar". I was shocked. She actually likes it and has ridden in it a few times now. It is a relaxing enjoyable ride once you get the hang of it. Her name is Ursula. Nice break when not cutting bat houses and I am worn out with that right now. We did more than 300 bat houses (kits/unfinished/fully finished) in October alone with Bat Week and all the programs. We also went live on Amazon. So, a nice couple of hours viewing the countryside is highly needed at times.

[joe]

Congratulations:

I've always wanted one of these monsters. You're one of my Hero's

When I found this video I was sold. Some of these Russians are tough fellows.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVSZQT7O-a0

[scottp55]

Thanks for the correction.
Hadn't seen one of those before.
The sidecar looks almost big enough for my wheelchair:)
Got me thinking again:)
Rubber side down!
scott

[joe]

Here's Ural & Dogs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyLw7iYVlo8

[harryball]

Yep, Your passenger certainly seems happier than mine back on the day I found him:)

That is precious. Poor guy has no clue what's going on.

[harryball]

Here's Ural & Dogs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyLw7iYVlo8

The previous video and this one, both pretty cool. The bikes are tough but persnickety and need steady maintenance. They are like nothing I've ever driven and I've driven quiet a few different things. You actually don't drive them, you dance with them. That's why I named her Ursula. She reminds me of dancing with a "big" woman, you just kind of have to follow along and hope she doesn't hurt you.

As for me being a hero, well there's a title I don't deserve. Flattered, but don't deserve it.

[harryball]

Thanks for the correction.
Hadn't seen one of those before.
The sidecar looks almost big enough for my wheelchair:)
Got me thinking again:)
Rubber side down!
scott

Scott, wish I was closer to Maine, I'd bring Benny up and we could get you in the sidecar and let him keep your wheelchair warm for you while we took a spin. :)

Yes, keep the rubber side down applies to these beasts as well. I would describe my first time out with her as "terrifying" if I were honest. I put 200 lbs of ballast in the sidecar to make dang sure we didn't do any chair flying. I'll go out with an empty chair now, if I can sneak past Benny... but then why would I want to do that, he's half the fun.

I've already started thinking of things I can cut and make for her on the bot. I think a new seat will be one of the first things so I can tuck it in the nose of the car rather than leave it behind when I take Benny. But that's all future stuff!

[joe]

From what I hear URAL'S aren't highway bikes. And like you say they are maintenance hogs. The latest, super charged, version are reportedly more dependable but still look scary.

[scottp55]

Yep, Found Kudabunk at a competitors bicycle shop and adopted him. Needed to get him home someway, so I dropped the backpack and bought a paperboy wire basket, cut up my sleeping pad, and SS wired a scrap blanket Peter had and sewed his neck in with the wire also.
He was a little upset then because I was walking away to stash my camping gear...his first and only motorcycle ride:) (he loved it!)
Not sure I'd like a ride as a passenger....I'd break all the imaginary controls:)
Love to stick a sidecar on my Beemer someday....she's been mothballed in garage for 26 yrs now, but can't quite bear to part with her.
Thanks for the offer though...I miss it.
Thanks for the vids Joe! Reminds me of some of the absolutely crazy places I got the Beemer into. Still remember getting stopped by a Maine Warden after a 7 mile slog over a mountain, and the ranger said "You came over THAT road!!!!? NEVER seen that in 20 years of living here at the end of it!!!" :)
scott

[harryball]

You all knew there would be videos! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q93zugVoqUI

[scottp55]

R. Thanks!!
Always nice to smile when sipping first cup of Sumatran:)
Gear clunk reminiscent of the first 10,000 miles on the Beemer before she broke in.
scott