First Ride of the SwampFox

[SwampFox883R]

After enjoying a 3-1/2 day trailer ride from C. Stanley Motorsports in Pennsylvania, the new-to-me SwampFox sidecar rig arrived at its new home Thursday 6/13/2013:



This morning Jena & I rode a 60 mile loop test ride, picking up some fresh blueberries along the way for pancakes & cobbler , and traveled a few shady parish (that'd be "county" most other places) roads:



The rig drives very well, traversing my preferred 2-lane hiways and country roads with ease. This is my first rig with an anti-sway bar, and it handles hiway curves with confidence. And as a passenger, Jena enjoys the flatter tracking and less wallowing -- although she's generally piloting her own Burgman/Texas rig.


Gearing with the 165/80R15 Nankang hiway tire seems just about right for my riding style/speed: First gear engages with minimal clutch slipping and the GPS shows ~51mph at ~3,000rpm in 5th gear. At 60mph, the air drag results in a slight right pull, but no real issue with the trail reducer.

I do need some bar-backs tho -- I'm just too short for the reach. And we need to work on smoothing out the airflow for the sidecar passenger as well -- wait, she's generally riding her own rig.

[cleatusj]

Congrates on the new rig, Lee. Thursday we'll see how you and it keep up on the off pavement stuff. The last GS that followed me did well, of course it was her rig.



P.S. Just kidding with you.

[CCjon]

Lee, congratulations on a great purchase. Love that color combination too.

Look forward to seeing it in person.

CCjon'

[SwampFox883R]

Originally Posted by cleatusj

... Thursday we'll see how you and it keep up on the off pavement stuff.... P.S. Just kidding with you.

Cleatus, not sure if I'm riding the new rig or the Sportster up to the rally. Whoa, wait a second ... OK, Jena has just suggested to ride the "blue rig" -- that way, maybe I can keep up with her Burgman rig

I may not have time to ride Thursday as we need to set up "rally central" at the meeting hall on the Fairgrounds that morning. We'll see how it plays out. Remember, I have no experience with a sidecar rig off-pavement -- well, except for some slow puttering down at the TURD:



Jon, lets see what we can do once you make your way back to Texas, even if just an East Texas ride to eatin' meetin'.

[URAL CT]

Wow Lee,
That is one sweet rig!!! Love the color too.
Jena just doesn't look right riding in the sidecar. She needs to be piloting that Beemer combo.

[cleatusj]

Lee, I had an idea that you mite not have as much time for riding. I am looking forward to checking the rig and many others out. Looks like there are some great roads hidden in the forest.

[on2wheels52]

Originally Posted by cleatusj

Looks like there are some great roads hidden in the forest.

Mapquest and Garmin found some that are still hiding

Very nice looking outfit Lee; I know I'll be taking lots of photos this weekend.
Jim

[Ajacks]

congrats on the new rig . Claude built mine last year, best move ever on my part. good luck

[airspro]

Originally Posted by SwampFox883R

After enjoying a 3-1/2 day trailer ride from C. Stanley Motorsports in Pennsylvania, the new-to-me SwampFox sidecar rig arrived at its new home Thursday 6/13/2013:



This morning Jena & I rode a 60 mile loop test ride, picking up some fresh blueberries along the way for pancakes & cobbler , and traveled a few shady parish (that'd be "county" most other places) roads:



The rig drives very well, traversing my preferred 2-lane hiways and country roads with ease. This is my first rig with an anti-sway bar, and it handles hiway curves with confidence. And as a passenger, Jena enjoys the flatter tracking and less wallowing -- although she's generally piloting her own Burgman/Texas rig.


Gearing with the 165/80R15 Nankang hiway tire seems just about right for my riding style/speed: First gear engages with minimal clutch slipping and the GPS shows ~51mph at ~3,000rpm in 5th gear. At 60mph, the air drag results in a slight right pull, but no real issue with the trail reducer.

I do need some bar-backs tho -- I'm just too short for the reach. And we need to work on smoothing out the airflow for the sidecar passenger as well -- wait, she's generally riding her own rig.

Just awesome , so this is the one that was forsale in Penn right ? I almost went for that one but the timing just wasn't right . Looks great !

[SwampFox883R]

Originally Posted by URAL CT

... Jena just doesn't look right riding in the sidecar. She needs to be piloting that Beemer combo.

I have a theory that it's not the best for a husband to teach a wife how to ride, because my instructions might be seen as fussing/nagging/complaining, so that mean's you are appointed to teach her how to clutch & shift. Remember, she wanted a Burgman on purpose.

Originally Posted by Ajacks

... Claude built mine last year, best move ever on my part....

I trust that will be my experience as well.

Originally Posted by airspro

Just awesome , so this is the one that was forsale in Penn right ? I almost went for that one but the timing just wasn't right....

Yep, that's the one. Wishing you the best with your new rig.

[cluedog]

Claude sure makes a nice looking rig.
Enjoy lots of miles and lots of smiles.

[Hack'dTiger]

Originally Posted by SwampFox883R

Is that hack shield a Claude piece, or...? I've been looking into building something similar, but might go that route if it's readily available.