Sidecar seat plans

[Rich Maund]

Folks. I am now declaring this open source. This is the diagram I used for 20 years to scratch build my own sidecar seats for customers. It has all pertinent dimensions. Flat iron stock to make the seat hardware. Make your own and have fun!

[Donbmw]

Thanks Rich

[Wildhorse Cafe]

[Marine Corps Codu]

Thank you!!!

[snowymonkey]

Nice !!!

Thanks!!!

[cheeseheadmike]

Thank you

[PhilJet09]

Thanks!

[Rich Maund]

Materials recommendations:
1/2 to 5'8" CDX outdoor plywood for the main pieces. Sand a radius on all the edges so they don't chew thru the cover later. Use treated wood for the bottoms cross piece and gusset. I always used screws and glue to put the cross piece and gusset on. Treated deck screws are great. After the glue dries, use clear poly on the wood to seal it. 2 coats. The foam factory in Detroit sells good foam. Use extra form and carve it like on the diagram. The foam in the bottom cushion wedges the top cushion into place. Flat steel stock is good to make the hardware with. Then file or belt sand the edges smooth then wire brush and paint. SS screws are best. Covers and tailoring are up to you. I always recommend using marine grade materials. They hold so much longer than household/automotive stuff it isn't even funny.

[phughes]

Very nice, Rich. Thank you!

[BinDerSmokDat]

I'd recommend fir ply, more stable and warps less than yellow pine.

As Rich said, use treated food for the parts that touch the floor, just for extra peace of mind.
When the wood is cut and rough edges sanded/radiused, coat everything with solvent-based (not water-based) polyurethane, paying special care to the edges of the plywood.
THEN assemble.
It is a boat builders mentality to coat all 8 sides of the wood (yes, 8 sides, think about it) BEFORE assembling so there are no seams edges that can absorb water.
I like to use the appropriate thinner for the urethane and thin it out by half for the 1st coat so that it absorbs deeply into the wood grain.
Let dry thoroughly.
Then apply the second coat at full strength.

[Rich Maund]

Good tips Bin! Thanks!
I never built boats, but did build model airplanes. This is just tree fort levels of carpentry here. I always used Gorilla Glue and then popped a few wire brads in to hold the pieces steady so I could drill pilot holes and then run the screws in. Then I did the solvent based poly paying much attention to soaking the edges of the plywood. 3/4" deck planks were good for the side piece and gusset. Not as crazy good as your suggestion, but it was thorough and way better than what Ural made back in the day. Their 1/4" plywood with black paint would absorb a lot of water. Then rot and you'd get huge amounts of fuzzy yellow molds growing under the covers. That is why I stopped recovering stocks eats early on and did them from scratch, You can't staple a new cover to disintegrating wood and their are better ways to die than from mold exposure. So scratch building had to happen.

[dogboy443]

Oh Rich, this makes me sad. I've enjoyed your seat and your sidecar door. I wish I had had a chance to get some custom seats from you. Stay healthy and safe my friend.