Three Wheels Better Sidecars

The Sidecar Guide Books

The Sidecar Guide (Book I), The Sidecar Technical Guide (Book II) and The Sidecar Legal Guide (Book III) are available for order. Over 4000 copies sold!

Sidecar Guide Book Sidecar Technical Guide Book Sidecar Legal Guide Book Sidecar books for sale

The Sidecar Guide contains everything for the sidecar rider, new or experienced, with sections on riding skills, sidecar setup, issues and solutions for handling problems, sidecar selection, accessories, care and maintenance, and much more. Suitable for left and right handed sidecars.
Reviews See what's inside the book!

The Sidecar Technical Guide is for the sidecar builder, it contains the sidecar setup section as well, but also full technical details on how to design and build your own sidecar along with subframe design and construction with plans and diagrams. Everything about sidecar construction you need to build or modify your own outfit. The sidecar building book. Suitable for left and right handed sidecars.
Reviews See what's inside the book!

The Sidecar Legal Guide provides 50 pages of information on the legal aspects of sidecars. It covers driving license rquirements needed to ride a sidecar, when and how to get your license, vehicle registration with the DVLA, sidecar construction and design regulations, MOT testing requirements,insurance and towing.
The Great Britain version is currently available. I will be adding U.S. and Australian versions as soon as they are completed.
See what's inside the book!

Read the introduction to The Sidecar Guide (Book I)

Digital downloads are protected pdf files, they are print enabled, so you can print out individual pages or sections for reference. We do not keep any of your information on file, we will not send you any spam emails or keep any of your details other than your purchase record.

Thank you so much for your interest in these books. Without all the support and advice from 3WB fans, it would not have been possible.

Reviews for The Sidecar Guide

A straight -forward, easy to understand, must have for sidecar pilots
Reviewed in the United States on 18 February 2020
This book is essential reading for anyone wanting to learn how to pilot a motorcycle outfit. It uses a simple method of distinguishing how to apply the core skills for either right or left tigged outfits. Whether you are a novice or an old rider readjusting from motorbike or four wheeled vehicles, coming back to hone half-forgotten this book will more than deliver the basics; it will possiby save your life.

Review by Roger Newark:
"My 3WB books arrived earlier this week. I've read the "Guide", and am about to start the "Technical Guide". Despite having ridden outfits since 1961, built a couple, had two professionally built, there is a wealth of knowledge in the two volumes that I am picking up on. Plus, Rod has confirmed my thoughts on various aspects of set up, but didn't know if I was mistaken or not. All in all, these two volumes are filling a gap for us sidecarists that was long overdue."

Reviews for The Sidecar Technical Guide

Excellent and a very comprehensive introduction to sidecar construction
Reviewed in the United States on 3 February 2020
"The technical guide is a informal but comprehensive manual that introducing fabrication techniques. The author has shared his vast experience as a sidecar builder. Mr. Young explains fabrication techniques that could only be learned by years of experience. The tips he gives are useful in any form of metal work and not just sidecar building. As an iron fabricator myself I gave Mr.. Young's Sidecar Technical Guide 5 stars because of the simple and clear explanations about working with metal and the excellent section on sidecar electricity. The rig set up and problem troubleshooting sections are excellent. You just won't find a lot of the information in the sidecar technical manual anywhere else - both about sidecars and fabrication. His warning about bad design or poor fabrication practices is right on: The first thing that happens is that you crash, the second thing that happens depends on luck. Yet it is true that if you do good work, don't take shortcuts, fix what is obviously wrong, and think things through most anyone should be able to build a sidecar. Three wheels are better than only two."

The Sidecar Guide (Book I) What's inside?

Intro
Why a sidecar?
Choosing an outfit
Buying used
Choosing a bike to fit a sidecar to
2WD + Urals
Leaners
Costs
Driving an outfit (safety, best practice when learning etc) Diagrams of course and exercises
The first ride
Flying the chair
Parking
Ballast
Pushing / basic handling etc.
Advanced driving
Disabled use (expert contributor)
New sidecar riders (sidecar newbie contributor)
Dogs in Sidecars (expert contributor)
Children in sidecars
Travelling and camping
Tools
Racks
Optional extras seatbelts, batteries, charging, lights, fuel tanks & cans
Handling with/out load differences
Braked sidecar / unbraked differences and tech.
Legal issues
What not to do, bad setup, poor fittings etc.
Towbars.
Tyres and wheels
Steering dampers
Steering modifications (Leading links etc)
Reverse
Maintenance
Theft & Security
Full setup and fitting guide
Setup /driving issues with troubleshooting table.
Glossary of terms
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The Sidecar Technical Guide (Book II) What's inside?


Some of the headings below are the same as in Book I, but they are discussed in much greater depth with technical details.

Wheels
Tyres
Steering mods
Dampers
Reverse
Sidecar brake
Fittings
Subframes - design and fitting
Fitting and sidecar setup
Sidecar Building with frame plans
Bodywork
Electrics
Maintenance
Leading Links, funny front ends, trail reduction
Modifying forks to work better
Brake upgrades
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The Sidecar Legal Guide (Book III) What's inside?


Driving License Requirements Driving License Categories
Taking your motorcycle test
The CBT
The full motorcycle test
Registering an outfit with the DVLA
Right handed sidecars
Sidecar construction and design
Lighting regulations
Passengers
Seatbelts
Helmets and eye protection
Sidecar brake
Tyres
Mudguard
MOT testing
MOT test items for a sidecar
Insurance
Towing with a sidecar outfit
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Introduction to The Sidecar Guide (Book I)


Welcome to Three Wheels Better, this book aims to provide accurate and useful information for everyone with an interest in sidecars. Whether you are looking at getting your very first sidecar, building your own sidecar, working on your existing sidecar, or just wanting to learn more about them and how to ride better, there is something here for you.

This is Book I; Book II is all about sidecar construction, it contains a wealth of more technical information for those of you that wish to build your own sidecar outfit or adapt and change an existing one. The information in this book covers everything for people new to sidecars plus lots more for existing owners that wish to gain a greater understanding, including the technical aspects of setup.

Three Wheels Better, previously known as Motopodd, was the name of my sidecar company in the UK which I founded and ran for 10 years. Since then, I have emigrated to Croatia, where the roads are sidecar heaven. I remain passionate about these idiosyncratic forms of transport. I have built an outfit here for my own use and continue to offer advice and assistance to sidecar riders everywhere.

Whilst there are many online resources for sidecar people on the internet, I felt that it would be useful to put all of my experience and the experience of others down in a book, which could become the go to reference for anyone with an interest in sidecars.

I have been riding bikes since I was 16 years old, and over the past 35 years I been a part of every motorcycle experience that is available, from road riding, long distance touring, off roading, racing, rallies, winter rallies, bike maintenance, building bikes, working in the bike industry in various roles and finally running my own sidecar company producing my own sidecars and outfits, developing fitting systems for difficult modern bikes and working towards the perfect setup. I am a qualified production and mechanical engineer.

I have been writing articles for the motorcycle press for many years. I live on the Dalmatian coast in Croatia with my wonderful partner Cheryl and far too many cats.

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