If this is an insolvency and not a reorganization, I sure hope some smart guy gets in there and buys up the molds at the very least. The EZS sidecar tubs are iconic.
Not just iconic, all the EZS tubs have been designed for both left and right hand fitment. These would be the last good looking (I know, subjective) road touring sidecars available for left hand fitment. Pretty much all the other modern European sidecar tubs are asymmetric and not suitable. This will also effect many other sidecar manufacturers, the European companies often seem have a few of their own models plus the models of 1 or 2 other companies to extend the catalog. Hopefully there is no domino effect in the industry.
The sidecar building community in Holland is a small close knit group that share amongst themselves . I would not be worried about the molds disappearing. As everywhere, the bulk of the high quality sidecar enthusiasts..........those willing and able to spend the big money on a well engineered rig , are not getting any younger. It just doesn't seem to appeal as much to a younger crowd. Subsequently the supply and demand equation is shifting and putting pressure on the few builders left.
Super sorry to see EZS declare bankruptcy. My first custom build was a 2005 BMW R1200GS mated to an EZS Rally "L", back in the day when Albert was still manning the helm at EZS and Pete Larsen was crafting sidecar builds down at Liberty Motors: Last year, I spent a day at EZS with @twintwin, and met Dave Engbers for the first time. Super nice guy. Dave was good enoughj to sort out an issue I had with the rigging and alignment on the DMC chassis of the rig I store in Europe, to include welding and paint while we waited. I know that Dave and Ad have talked about LBS buying a couple of the EZS molds and jigs. One advantage is most if not all of the EZS bodies are symmetrical, and can be mounted on the right or left side. I've suggested that we should take on the Rally model, but then again, I'm biased ;<) Hope things work out for Dave . . . .
From a commercial perspective I would think the RX molds and jigs would make more sense, at least if someone was also looking at the left hand mount market. There a several single seater options available for LHM, but other than a few doubles from Australian manufacturers (which tend toward the boxy and functional rather than stylish) there are no 1.5 and 2 seaters. Given the growing proportions of western bodies and growing expectations of comfort, I think many prefer wider chairs even for 1 passenger.
How dare you infer we old Mericans are fat asses ????? I'd still like a Rally XC to put on my remaining 1150gs having had 2 of that tub now they make a nice narrow fun rig with an amazingly large trunk, dog sizing is limited though !!!!! The Field Marshall
The R1150GS/Rally XC would make a good looking hack. Would you go with a LL and car tyres all round or just use a trail reducer?
SP, you're not paying attention! Everyone knows DB will go with the Dedome mod and Stroker wheels....
This is DB we're talking about, the person who had 2 K's with identical sidecars. Having just sold his LL to HO I am sure he can convince himself to buy the same again. If LBS buy the molds (just to get back on track), then DB can get a matching set of LL that will take Stroker's wheels.
For a more off pavement gravel road sort of rig I'll go with Dedome trail reduction and motorcycle front wheel possibly 17" with the idea of keeping it light weight when they push allot and don't want to turn you get to do some great sliding fun fun fun ! Strokers wheels are great but cost allot and I had best steering with little 135/80/15.
They did ship me a brake rotor for my RX-5 a couple of months ago. I inquired last week about a replacement windscreen.....silence.
Better make your own, per my sources the government shut them down. I do understand that LBS is in negotiations to possibly buy, I hope so.
Older EZS sidecars ran a Citroen rear GS rotor. No longer made for the Citroen however as we also used this rotor as did California sidecars and Champion sidecars we still offer it. It is about 7 inches round, has an offset to it and is held in with 4 bolts. Jay G DMC sidecars www.dmcsidecars.com 866-638-1793
