Yayyyy that's great news Emma! Looking forward to meeting Claude someday soon                                                                                                                                                                              

Thanks Paul, I'd really like that.

And thanks Karey... He's looking forward to meeting you too ( he's got his doggles and scarf at the ready! ) 

I better get practising...Aargh!

x                                                                                                                                                                              

ahh you got it sorted I know of a garage in derby thats preatty good if you ever get stuck   Glad your getting back on two wheels if we get some sun should be a good summer :)                                                                                                                                                                             

Thanks, Cavywavy, gonna take some practice but should be out to play soon,

Emma                                                                                                                                                                             

Hope you make pilly day Emma + Claude, be great to see you both there .. x                                                                                                                                                                             

Ah thanks sweetie, Claude's getting a bit fair weather in his old age, so might just be me!

Fingers crossed for some good weather,

E & C x                                                                                                                                                                             

Brilliant Emma love.... see you there x                                                                                                                                                                             

Emma, as we discussed on Sunday, your outfit needs "setting up"   My plans for this week were sadly thrown awry by dodgy clutch   But I WILL be down to yours to sort it for you   And to give you some basic lessons in outfit riding   Meanwhile try to take it back to the car park you used before and try some "gentle" figure 8's in both directions using throttle and front brake to make the outfit turn   I'll PM you with firm date and time for my visit   Stick with it hon, it's the most fun you can have with your leathers on when you get it right                                                                                                                                                                              

Apologies for hi-jacking this thread slightly but while the outfit experts are tuned in I have a question. I've been thinking of switching to an outfit mainly so I can take my dogs out with me (never did learn to drive one of those 4-wheeled things you see about the place). Done a bit of research and all was looking good until I came across a comment on one website that claimed although outfits are often ridden by people with physical disabilities that prevent them riding solo bikes their not always suitable because the extra twisting invloved in turning the bars can put extra strain on the lower back. As that is MY weakspot, a result of a slipped disc many years back, I was wondering what the opinion of you guys and gals out there is, does riding an outfit involve putting much extra strain on the lower back?                                                                                                                                                                             

Don't u remember that nifty 3-wheeler at Bikewise?  And it had a steering wheel! dogs cud sit behind u.                                                                                                                                                                             

A good outfit, correctly set up, is as easy to drive/ride as a solo   I've ridden outfits all my life (off and on) and only ever had "fun" riding them   But "badly aligned" outfits are a "pig" to ride even for an experienced pilot If they are not "set up" correctly they can be very scary even dangerous for a novice   It should steer "hands off" in a straight line and only "normal" input on the bars will get you round corners   The "natural" tendencies for the bike to "drive round the chair" when power is applied and for the "chair to come round the bike" when braking" (with front brake) Makes outfit riding a positive pleasure   "Leading link" front forks" and or "hub centre steering" are a "must" for bigger outfits (IMHO) as they help the steering  to to transfer the input in the "correct plane" for "upright" cornering (ala car) Pm me if you want further info Centurian I'd be happy to help                                                                                                                                                                              

Cheers emzed, I won't give up on the idea then and I'll mostly likely get back to you when I can take it further. And XK, that was nice sure enough but probably bloody expensive and at the end of the day more of a car than a proper bike!

i'm sure Em wud knok u up one (mates rates)   ps - it wos a Yammy!                                                                                                                                                                             

And there you see, thats another thing against it!                                                                                                                                                                              

No wurries mate   You already have the ideal bike for a good outfit   That "Flying Brick" of yours would be just the job   Leading link forks (readily available at reasonable cost)   Add sidecar and AWAY                                                                                                                                                                              

Hi Emma, have you got your outfit sorted yet? I know of a guy who regularly tests outfits, only thing is his MOT station is about 50 mile from yours.... He only does motorcycle MOT's.                                                                                                                                                                             

It's sorted now thanks Bluey   She got it tested and I've had a look at it and done what I can for now to "improve" the handling   But it's good to know for future tests                                                                                                                                                                              

Hey Bluey, Thanks for the info, as Emzed says it's great to know, thanks.

Centurion - My outfit's a handful ( to say the least ) and I am also prone to back pain but it's never triggered or exacerbated by riding her.

But my arms... there's another story!

I am very far from being a side car expert but if I can help at all, just let me know,

Emma and Claude x 

                                                                                                                                                                             

have you been in touch with thses guys??   http://www.sidecars.org.uk                                                                                                                                                                              

Yep, I have thanks

They're having a rally not far from here in August, which should be fun and they've put me in touch with someone who can make a screen and hood too. So it's all good.

Should be up and running just in time for winter...