5 Reasons Why California Sidecar In Arrington, VA Is The Trike Conversion Mecca For 2025
Arrington, Virginia, is not just a scenic spot in the Blue Ridge Mountains; it is the undisputed manufacturing and development hub for one of the world’s premier three-wheel motorcycle conversion companies: California Sidecar / Escapade Trailer Inc. As of late 2025, the facility at 100 Motorcycle Run continues its decades-long legacy of transforming two-wheeled icons—primarily the Honda Goldwing and Harley-Davidson models—into high-performance, comfortable trikes, solidifying its position as the go-to destination for motorcycle enthusiasts seeking a premium conversion experience. The company’s focus remains on innovation, with its latest 2025 models showcasing advanced engineering.
The Arrington facility serves as the company's central nervous system, offering everything from full-service trike conversions and maintenance to factory tours and demo rides for prospective owners. This strategic location, established in the late 1990s, allows California Sidecar (CSC) to efficiently serve its vast East Coast customer base while maintaining a strong international shipping presence via the nearby Port of Virginia. From the flagship Encore trike kit to the sleek Viper conversion, the expertise housed in this Central Virginia location drives the entire industry forward, making a visit to the factory a pilgrimage for many riders.
The Arrington VA Hub: A History of Innovation and Relocation
The story of California Sidecar is a classic American business journey, starting not in Virginia, but in Southern California in 1975. The company initially gained a strong reputation as a manufacturer of motorcycle sidecars, even acquiring the historical "Spirit of America Sidecar Company" and its popular "Companion" model. This early success set the stage for a major strategic shift in the 1980s when the current owner purchased the company with a vision to expand its product line beyond sidecars and into the burgeoning trike conversion market.
The most pivotal moment in the company's history was its 1998 relocation. Following years of significant growth and success, the entire factory was moved from sunny California to the picturesque, rolling hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Arrington, Virginia. This move was a calculated business decision, intended to position the company closer to its growing East Coast customer base and to leverage the logistical benefits of the Port of Virginia for international shipping. Today, the facility at 100 Motorcycle Run serves as a major employer in the region, housing approximately 85 skilled workers dedicated to the craft of three-wheel conversion.
Co-owner Dwight Harrington has emphasized the company's commitment to quality, stating that nothing leaves the facility without meeting their stringent standards. This dedication is why the Arrington location is not just an assembly plant but a full-service center, offering repair and maintenance services, ensuring that every CSC trike—whether a new conversion or a decades-old model—maintains peak performance.
CSC’s Flagship Trike Kits for 2025: Power and Precision
California Sidecar has built its reputation on engineering trike kits that seamlessly integrate with the original motorcycle's design and performance. For 2025, the company continues to focus on its core product lines, offering specialized kits for the most popular touring bikes on the market: Honda, Harley-Davidson, and Indian. These kits are not merely cosmetic add-ons; they are complete rear-end conversions featuring advanced mechanical and aesthetic upgrades.
1. The CSC Encore Trike: Industry-Leading Capacity
The Encore trike kit is the crown jewel of the CSC lineup, particularly popular for conversions of the Honda Goldwing (including the new 2025 50th Anniversary models). Its defining feature is its massive storage capacity. The Encore boasts an industry-leading trunk volume of 8.25 cubic feet, a significant advantage for long-distance touring riders who need maximum luggage space. Beyond capacity, the Encore is celebrated for its performance features, including:
- Independent Suspension: A key technological entity, CSC’s Independent Suspension system ensures a smooth, stable, and responsive ride, drastically improving handling over traditional solid-axle designs.
- Seamless Integration: The bodywork is designed to flow perfectly with the Goldwing's lines, making the conversion look factory-built.
- Auxiliary Fuel Tank: A popular option that significantly extends the riding range, a must-have for cross-country adventurers.
2. The CSC Viper Trike: Sleek, Modern Styling
The Viper trike kit is another top-tier offering designed exclusively for the Honda Goldwing GL1800. The Viper’s design philosophy centers on a sleek, modern, and aggressive aesthetic that perfectly complements the Goldwing's contemporary styling. It achieves a near-perfect match between the trike's LED lighting and the motorcycle’s existing light clusters. While sharing the same high-quality engineering as the Encore, the Viper caters to riders who prioritize a sharp, custom look and can be further enhanced with a range of specialized accessories.
3. The Daytona and Arrow Kits: Harley and Indian Expertise
While Honda Goldwing conversions are a primary focus, the Arrington facility also manufactures trike kits for other major manufacturers, ensuring a broad market reach. The Daytona kit is CSC’s dedicated conversion for Harley-Davidson motorcycles, offering the same level of quality and performance engineering to the American V-Twin crowd. Similarly, the Arrow kit is custom-engineered for Indian motorcycles, providing a premium three-wheel option for this iconic brand. This multi-brand capability highlights CSC’s versatility and technical depth in the trike conversion industry.
More Than Trikes: Escapade Trailers and Customer Experience
California Sidecar’s business at the Arrington, VA complex extends beyond trike conversions. The facility is also the headquarters for Escapade Trailer Inc., the company’s line of premium motorcycle trailers. These trailers are designed to be lightweight, aerodynamic, and perfectly matched to a trike's towing capabilities, offering additional storage without compromising performance. The "New 2025 California Sidecar Elite Trailer" is a recent example of the company's continued product development in this area.
The Arrington location is a true destination for enthusiasts. Riders are encouraged to stop by the 100 Motorcycle Run address for a personal experience. The company offers:
- Factory Tours: A chance to see the meticulous process of trike conversion, from frame assembly to final paint and installation.
- Demo Rides: Prospective customers can test-ride various CSC-converted trikes, feeling the difference that the Independent Suspension and superior engineering provide.
- Technical Support: The Arrington team provides comprehensive technical support and installation instructions for all their models, including the Encore, Viper, and Daytona, ensuring dealers and owners have the resources they need.
With a strong foundation built in 1975, a strategic relocation to Virginia in 1998, and continuous product innovation through 2025, California Sidecar in Arrington, VA, remains an industry powerhouse. Its commitment to quality, large-capacity designs like the Encore, and advanced technology like Independent Suspension ensure it will continue to be the conversion mecca for motorcycle riders for years to come.
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