The Kneeslider

Doers Builders and Positive People

Wallick Lean Machine Update

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Wallick Lean Machine top cover closed
Wallick Lean Machine top cover closed

When we showed you the Wallick Lean Machine last month, we didn’t have any really good outdoor photos with the full paint scheme due to a few problems Ghraydon Wallick encountered on a trip a short time before. It was also hard to see the sidecars clearly so I asked Ghraydon to send a few photos when he had the repaint done and some good weather for pictures. These just arrived.

Wallick Lean Machine top cover open
Wallick Lean Machine top cover open

The photos show both open and closed configuration and the lower photo shows the web chair interior which we hadn’t seen. With the top closed, it looks like the passenger would be very well protected from the weather, which, in Thailand, can probably get a bit wet. I think, if I were the passenger, I’d prefer the open position. I have to say, as some comments on the original post noted, these sidecars do look like a couple of boats. Definitely an interesting build.

Wallick Lean Machine top cover open
Wallick Lean Machine top cover open

All photos credit: Tanawan (Pui) Suphorn

Comments

  1. Are those claw marks on the inside. Just kidding. That’s when you know your wife has unflinching trust. Not my wife – your wife. I’d have to gag my wine with a rag soaked in starting fluid to get her near it.

  2. Actually, I could see my teen-aged son and I having a blast taking turns in that rig. Damn…I want to try it!!!

  3. i’m sure it would be fun.

    but i just can’t get past the look. it looks like it should be a sidecar for a jet ski.

  6. If that side car were easily detachable and equipped with a small outboard motor, you’d have the perfect vehicle to take a ride up to the lake, do a little fishing then head back to town.

    But if it’s only a side car…

  8. I dunno Yeti, there IS that little metal tube off to the right side of the sidecar, how do we KNOW it doesnt have a small water jet in it? it kinda looks like an exhaust!
    i will say this, it takes all the fun out of leaning the trike up unexpectedly and having your passenger crap their pants.
    ok in reality i like it, (save the jetski styling) i think it (if proven safe) would make side hacks more realistic for the mainstream!

  10. what would be hell cool would be to leave the motorcycle controls in place, but have another set of controls in the sidecar*. then you could pilot it ghost style and really make the neighbours freak out.

    * I have no idea how to do this, I’m in the ideas group, not implementation….. 😉

  12. Cool concept but the execution is a total failure. Loose the body and try again. If not, they may sell a few, but not enough to make production sensible. The term “but ass ugly” comes to mind. Yuk!

  13. I think Mr. Wallick has done an incredable job considering his limited resources,but at first glance it looks too tall and I can’t tell from the photo,does it have a suspension system on the side car? I would think that with a little refinement it would look and perform very well.

  15. OK, your close….try this. It resembles a cigarette boat replica. Too much, too soon! Re design the body work to resemble, say, a dual cockpit 40’s ChrisCraft barrel back, put a faux mahoganey finish on it…..Viola!……Cutting edge technology with old world charm?!?!?! Anyone?!!? Hello??? never mind….

  16. I think all the detractors have missed the point. I don’t care what it looks like. There are a lot of ugly bikes out there. But if it works and leans, does the job, it might be fun. Design your own body work or take it off and ride it naked. If you don’t like it – there are a lot of ugly things in the world. Why stop with this. go for it…..

  18. Thanks for all the candid comments on my sidecar design. Happy to provide our troubled planet with a bit of comic relief. Now all you critics should go build your own so I can get in on the fun too. As I said before my 10 years as exhibit specialist at the San Francisco Maritime Museum NHP, living on a house boat and commuting by ferry boat has obviously left me hopelessly nauticalized.

    Personally, I like the shape and it works well aerodynamically so I’m sticking with it. Back in 1977 people made a lot of Batman comparisons to my EQUALEAN design too but when I looked at most of the other sidecars they reminded me of 1930’s and 40’s cartoons.

    Actually the seat was copied from a California folding beach chair. It would be easy to cover it up with a naugahyde tuck and roll seat cover, but here in the tropics that means sticking to the seat by your own sweat. The mesh seat actually allows good airflow from the bottom pan vent resulting in greater passenger comfort.

    But all this conversation, I believe, misses the real point, which is; “that my sidecar allows me to corner very fast and very safe… almost as if it were a solo motorcycle that is actually practical (in that I can carry something larger than a lunch box) and much more visible (so that brain dead car drivers can’t say they didn’t see me”). This is the Wallick family’s contribution to sidecar history and I’m very proud of it.

    Thanks again and very best wishes, Ghraydon Lynn Wallick

  19. “what would be hell cool would be to leave the motorcycle controls in place, but have another set of controls in the sidecar*. then you could pilot it ghost style and really make the neighbours freak out.”

    Here in Thailand (I’m wintering again in Chiang Mai, not many miles from where Mr. Wallick lives) they have wheelchair motorcycle/sidecar combos. They use the sidecars that shops use — a heavy-duty industrial type design — and mount the motorcycle controls on the front of the sidecar, longer cables and some rods with joints to the bike and a ramp on the side of the sidecar and you’ve got it.