Sidecars On Line Issue 1

The Online Mini Magazine for UK Sidecar Enthusiasts

Sidecars On Line

Available Bi-Monthly

Issue 1 – October 2012

An unusual combination of Harley Davidson with hub centre steering complete with Ruko sidecar at the 2012 EGT (European Sidecar Rally)

UK Importer for Tripteq Sidecars, Parts, & Accessories

Sales, Service, Build

• Scotia Sidecars offers the complete sidecar service.

• The Tripteq Heeler range can be supplied in DIY kit form with comprehensive build manual, complete, or partial build.

• The 'Heeler' has been developed and manufactured by Tripteq in the Netherlands with over 250 units sold throughout Europe since 2005.

• The left hand version was developed in conjunction with Scotia Sidecars to bring affordable technical innovation qualities of European sidecars and conversion parts to the UK sidecar market.

• Options on bodies, screens, & accessories • Chassis option for BMW 'K' and Guzzi motorcycles Telephone: 01333 429451

Mobile: 0773 468 3429

email: info@scotiasidecars.com http://scotiasidecars.com/index If you contact Scotia Sidecars for information, or to make a purchase, please acknowledge Sidecars On Line

Contents this Issue Editorial – A different approach to spreading the word about sidecars SideLines – Concerns for the survival of sidecars in the UK Oscar's Odyssey – An initial personal reflection of a long time sidecar enthusiast.

Rally Review – The 24th European Sidecar Rally held at Weiswampach in Luxembourg Feature – A Small Selection of the Sidecar Outfits at the European Sidecar Rally (EGT) 2012 Sidecar Event – The 42nd Belgian Jumbo Run - 18th August 2012 On the Web - A regular look at sidecars and sidecar topics featured on the internet. This time, Adventure Rider's “Hacks” forum

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Editorial This is the first edition of what is hoped to be a six times a year issue of our free mini magazine.

“Mini” because that seems an adequate description, plus there are no specific page, or other measurements of size that justify otherwise. The deal is to produce something more than a pamphlet, yet it would be presumptuous to compare our humble effort with anything mainstream.

Another consideration is that Sidecars On Line is not seen as a club journal with its own restrictions and possible limitations. Besides, the UK sidecar community has become perhaps more diverse with sidecar enthusiasts being a broad church, albeit in smaller numbers than in past.

So, what's on offer ? Clearly this small beginning may turn out to be the ongoing norm as a very modest affair, involving a team of one, maybe two on a good day. However, it could be that there's someone out there, who would like to be involved by contributing, or providing suggestions and ideas. Obviously, suggestions are preferred based upon the criteria that it doesn't involve bodily harm, or something you wouldn't want your grandmother to hear about.

To support sidecar businesses, trade advertising is offered to some stalwarts at no cost in an effort to promote the sidecar industry. Our only “charge” is that anyone contacting an advertiser could do everyone a favour by acknowledging where the “lead” came from, i.e. Sidecars On Line.

This first issue comes with some material stemming from a recent European trip to two established sidecar events, both of which are not new to the writer. The Belgian Jumbo Run, has been part of our family's sidecar life since 1977 when taking on a first foreign sidecar adventure with a pregnant wife and four year old daughter. A five day return hovercraft ticket was the deal, visiting what seemed akin to another planet. Everything was strange, even overwhelming, but was destined to become part of our lives. Missed some due to work, but 2012 was our 28th Belgian Jumbo.

The second part of the trip took in another EGT, or European Sidecar Rally, our third so far. The ride to Weiswampach in northern Luxembourg proved to be well worth the trouble despite the cost of fuel, a sore point these days for many. Great rally, excellent times with old and new friends, and again being amongst so many sidecar outfits, including the USA, Russia, and the real mile munchers, the long distance winners from Japan. Lots of memories.

Notable was the performance of our sidecar outfit, the BMW K1/RT and Primmer Saluki. Of particular note was the performance of the suspension. A recently fitted rear suspension unit, plus the first serious run for the Wasp forks fitted earlier in the year, have transformed the handling of the outfit. Final satisfaction after the European trip was the outfit sailing through its MOT with compliments for the suspension adaptations, the LED lights that have been fitted during the course of the past year, and once again the brakes. A linked system and the best I've ever had.

SidecarJohn www.sidecarjohn.co.uk

The sidecar outfit is a dying breed in the UK. Active sidecar enthusiasts are predominantly at the older end of this small minority of motorcyclists. Of course there are others, who are still fans of this eccentric vehicle type, but who have hung up their riding gear. So, why this decline ?

Clearly, in recent years there are many more alternatives for leisure vehicle activity, the sidecar outfit has hardly been part of the day to day personal transport scene for some decades.

Fashion, style, the hype of constant change in most aspects of rampant consumerism, and negative attitudes are factors. However, more important issues have emerged.

Legislation and regulation cannot be ignored. Several decades of bureaucratic “hit jobs” leave a feeling that some years back a few influential men in suits sat down and determined a long term strategy to rid the world of motorcycles. So called rational arguments continue to be used to justify changes in areas directly influencing the activity of motorcycling. Safety is high on the list, but many so called solutions have been questionable.

Regulations relating to construction and use, type approval, and rider testing regimes have all had their effects. In the case of the latter, the days of being able to take a driving test on a sidecar outfit have long gone, unless the rider has a registered disability. So, prospective sidecar riders have to go through the endless hoops of obtaining a solo motorcycle licence, not an easy prospect, notably from a financial point of view, but in very recent times because of serious UK government cock ups in reducing test centres. No longer a test centre in every reasonably sized town, and some considerable distances to take a test involving more than taking an hour off work, as was par for the course some years back.

Possible regulations in the pipeline make matters worse, if current opposition efforts by European rider organisations such as the Motorcycle Action Group here in the UK fail to win the day. Some regulations seem to emerge all the time, such as January 2013 when the Direct Access testing minimum age rises to 24 years.

Then there are financial considerations. Many of the sidecar outfits in regular use are often a few years old, many almost part of the family. Others that have “done the rounds”, passing from one enthusiast to another. The prospect of changing for an alternative is often not considered. Besides, the cost of creating an outfit can be daunting, even if not opting for new.

Pricing up a used sidecar recently, a not quite new, but suitable large motorcycle, and adding the preferred leading link forks and special wheels, easily hit five figures, and that only with a simple paint job. Doing the business new and it's easy to hit £30K plus for a big bike sports outfit, usually with an imported sidecar. Oops. It doesn't help when small new cars can be obtained at a fraction of the cost. Enthusiasm with a capital E is essential.

Added to all this can be a large insurance bill, and motorcycle fuel economy that often doesn't approach anything like a contemporary designed family car. Enthusiasts this might disregard this, but it cannot be ignored. Two good jobs in an household, few commitments, and such things might not be a worry, but easy affordability does not represent the norm.

As an older rider, insurance premiums may be relatively low, but newcomers, hopefully younger riders, may well find insurance costs highly prohibitive. A deal breaker if ever there was one.

A serious financial negative is the cost of new sidecars. Whilst accepting that there is never going to be a big production run, even the currently fashionable around the world Russian Ural sidecar is hand made, there does appear to be a different mentality at work with some sidecar makers. It's not that a high specification sidecar shouldn't have a price that reflects what is on offer, but even much simpler offerings do not seem to be priced to encourage entry into the sidecar game. It influences possible buyers, who might well then go more upmarket at a later date.

Probably, the most crucial issue, certainly when compared to other European countries, is the dated nature of sidecar design in the UK. The so called classic look is all very well, but the newest design amongst the longer term manufacturers is nigh on 40 years old, others date back to the 1950s. Fine if you want to hitch a 1950s sidecar to a 1950s style motorcycle, but hardly attractive for newer machinery, and certainly not comparable to the sidecars available in mainland Europe.

It is acknowledged that there have been other attempts to produce sidecars in the UK to provide alternatives to the long established two, Watsonian and Hedingham, but these have generally been relatively short lived. Several factors influenced the demise of these smaller ventures such as poor and unattractive design, perceived complexity, price, mechanical shortcomings, or plainly unrealistic commercially.

There is little doubt that the most significant sidecar renaissance of the past 40 years was that involving the original Squire sidecar company. The positive marketing ploy of providing sidecars to motorcycle dealerships to display alongside bikes in showrooms had a profound effect, put Squire on the map, and stimulated the market. Up to that point the options were seriously limiting with orders being placed and a waiting list scenario. Not exactly a strategy to exploit a potential business opportunity, unlike the proactive, promotional style of Squire.

So, how to stop the decline ? New, purposeful designs for a start, and take a look at the European offerings for ideas. A model range, possibly a modular approach, so that what's on offer can start at a basic level and progress to something more appealing, even more radical.

Consider providing, or encouraging others to provide accessories, which improve on the basic.

The Dutch Tripteq sidecar company, with its Heeler, has already shown the way with this approach. A basic offering out of the factory and dealers contributing to some admirable additions, alterations, even versions.

Perhaps even consider an even more radical approach. If a standard chassis is adopted, and a range of different body shapes are offered, how about selling bodies only ? After all, an existing customer may wish to retain a motorcycle that has already had costly alterations undertaken to make it worth retaining such as leading link forks. Equally, an owner may have achieved a worthwhile connection of motorcycle and sidecar chassis.

The spin off of the selling bodies option would be a redundant body entering the market place, and another buyer coming along to buy a sidecar chassis. Who knows, this might just reverse the unfortunate decline of the sidecar in the UK ?

My First Sidecar This was sometime in 1966. My great friend of over 50 years, Alf , already had a chair fitted to his 650 Triumph. This was of uncertain parentage, having parts from any number of the Meriden marque. My solo motorcycle at this time, was a 1958 Norton Dominator 88. This was a lovely machine, and ran very smooth. The engine had been back to the “Norton” works at Bracebridge Street where it had the crankshaft balanced.

Having tried out Alf`s combo, I decided that I too would like to sample the joys of sidecarring. To this end I managed to buy a Swallow Jet 80 sidecar for the princely sum of £10. It may have cost me more except that it had no wheel. This presented no problem, as I scrounged a Mini wheel off a friend, then had a boss made up to carry the wheel.

Prior to fitting the wheel and the sidecar, I had to take the wheel to a local garage to have the tyre inflated to a high pressure in order to centralise the tyre on the rim. So, it was strap the wheel onto the carrier then a short ride to the garage to do the job.

Whilst en-route to do the job, a car hurtled out of a block of garages to my right, straight across the road in front of me, forcing me to take avoiding action. This made me hit the kerb and brought me off, whereupon the Mini wheel broke loose and careered off down the road, all on its own.

A police car, which was chasing the offending car, screeched to a halt to make sure that I was OK, then sped off in hot pursuit. My bike suffered no more than a bent footrest and scrapes to the front mudguard. I had a few scrapes too, but nothing bent.

When the police car returned having lost the villains, they were further in a quandary, wondering where the Mini wheel came into the reckoning. After listening to my explanation they departed, no doubt wishing they had taken the day off. I never did get any recompense from this incident. Over the years I didn't get much joy from the law on many occasions.

With the sidecar fitted, I, along with my girl friend, had lots of fun. Well, I had lots of fun. The sidecar had no windscreen, and a poorly made up seat. Although the suspension was very good.

That first sidecar outfit with girlfriend One of my friends lived down a road that had more than a few dogs that loved to snap at your heels, trying to take chunks out of you as you rode along. What a shock they had when about a half dozen of the frenzied beasts were chasing me down the road. I pulled a fast locker, spun round and charged at them. Their pads must have smoked as they put on the brakes. It still makes me smile as I think of the startled look on the dogs' faces. I chased them all the way to the end of the road, shouting and sounding the horn.

A really satisfying moment that was.

European Sidecar Rally or European Gespanne Treffen (EGT) 2012 The 24th European Sidecar Rally, or EGT, was held at its alternate Luxembourg site on the last August weekend. The 25th is scheduled at the original Reddighausen site in August 2013. This was our third time, so familiarity helped to be fairly organised and understand how things worked. True, our German language ability remains in non functional, but proves no barrier. Fields full of sidecar outfits, enthusiastic owners, and a generally friendly atmosphere are all positives in any language.

We arrived at Weiswampach from our stop over in Flanders for the Belgian Jumbo on Tuesday afternoon. The formal event starts on Friday, but we were not alone. After erecting the tent and establishing our temporary home, we walked the short distance to the nearby shops for basic essentials.

A simple pasta meal rounded off the afternoon nicely.

On the Tuesday evening we walked to the adjacent community campsite to check if friends Frank and Paula LaMoon had arrived. We found them in the bar, no surprise there then, along with John and Mo from Kent. A pleasant evening followed catching up on news, gossip, as well as reflecting on past joint trips around France as part of the famed Team Malt Loaf.

By the end of the Wednesday around 100 units dotted the site. Construction work on the site did mean a little confusion for participants used to favoured locations, but this did not deter anyone seriously.

Wednesday was an easy day with another walk up to the local shops and bakery for a cuppa and cake.

We sidecar types sure know how to live, further illustrated by Pat and I heading for the local pizzeria to sample the delights of their menu. Reasonable meal for what is after all a universal convenient food offering. The evening was suitably finished off by again troubling the LaMoons with our company.

Some folks camp differently........

On Thursday morning we decided to take a ride before the rally got into its swing. As we prepared to set off the LaMoon K100 outfit appeared, so it became a joint ride, initially to do some shopping beyond the village. Aldi took a few Euros off us, then we discovered nearby, behind what appeared to be a simple filling station, an extensive shopping mall. So, more essential purchases, notably boxes of wine, then we four enjoyed the set salad lunch option in a pleasant eating area. Very civilised and again indicating how even thrifty types such as the LaMoons and Procters can sometimes push the boat out.

After lunch, on what was a scorching day, we went for a pleasant ride through a nearby valley, and despite a short detour, headed for a cafe on a campsite Frank and Paula had used on another trip. Coffee and apple strudel with ice cream chatting about this and that can't be bad. Thanks Paula for that particular treat. Our ride back only took a little over 10 minutes, but served to round off a good day out.

Our evening salad meal and a drink or two completed the day admirably.

Friday heralded the serious start to the rally and the allocated fields now contained several hundred sidecar outfits, plus a number of accompanying solo motorcycles. The numbers grew throughout the day, and for us it was time to tour the site to see exactly what makes this event so special. Past experience dictated a steady approach to avoid fatigue, and a degree of sidecar overload. There really was a lot to see, whether it be the machinery, or inevitably the sideline issue of tents. A few decades of sidecar camping tends to mean that anything remotely different creates interest.

Arriving a little later than many, Jim and Wendy Samme, soon named the Earl and Countess of Margate, set up alongside our humble tent. I say humble because their extensive trailer tent possibly rivals a few small houses for size, fixtures and fittings. In camping terms, a stately home if ever there was one. Jim was his usual laid back self, whilst Wendy took some time out to read a very popular, much talked about erotic novel. Something about the 50 shades of something.

During the day we had noticed a UK sidecar outfit that somehow looked familiar. “Spanish Dancer”, a Honda CB1300 with EZS sidecar, turned out to be owned by Trevor Parkes, with whom I'd a chance meeting some months before in Huddersfield. The result was spending some good time over the weekend with this amiable, retired diver Brit, now living in Spain, having originated from Birmingham.

“Spanish Dancer” Sometime later, noticing the sound of colonial English being spoken, prompted an approach to a couple who turned out to be Bostonians, the USA version, and who I'd read about on an internet forum. Bill and Marge Ballou had shipped their Blackbird outfit from the US, New Jersey to Zeebrugge, for a three week trip of a lifetime. The EGT was their major focus, although they had already visited some great places, and were destined to visit even more during their European stay. Great to meet them and to be acquainted with them over the weekend.

Connections can be strange and fascinating. Meeting Trevor again after a very casual meeting back in the UK, which he didn't fully remember, plus connecting with Bill and Marge were features of our weekend. Their mutual friendliness and warmth led to an invite to join them for a Friday evening hotel meal in the village. A great evening despite having to retire indoors when rain spoiled what had started warm and dry. Additional to our party were Dave from New York State, and Dom, his German friend, who regularly share bike trips in their respective countries. All round a memorable evening, even though the food wasn't anything to write home about.

Saturday is the big day at the EGT with outfits already in attendance joined by day visitors. Even more to look at, talk about, and take endless digital images. I did a fair number, but Bill overwhelmed his memory card with around 500. Full pictures and interesting detail that perhaps only sidecar guys truly understand. A warm, sunny day made our lunchtime picnic of wine, cheese salad, bread, and more wine particularly pleasant. The serious business of seeing all the outfits continued, although with over 1000 outfits attending over the course of the weekend it couldn't be guaranteed that we'd not missed any.

Late afternoon we gathered with several of our new and old friends in the main marquee, basically to have a place for the evening presentations and the raffle. Again, the main prize, for a 2.50 Euro ticket, was a new sidecar worth over 5200 Euros. A win by one of us Brits for a right hand mounting sidecar we were told would “be resolved�, whatever that might mean. A very happy German guy won it.

The presentations included furthest distance. Third, our new friends, Bill and Marge from Boston USA. Second, a couple who had ridden from Moscow, and the furthest, a couple from Japan, who only a week before had been in England at another sidecar event. All were pleased, but the Japanese pair were ecstatic, and received rapturous applause from everyone. They even had a second dose of cheers as they later attempted to return quietly to their tent. Brilliant.

Sunday sees a vast exodus, with probably only a handful destined to stay over until Monday. We were on our way by mid morning to make our way towards the coast for our Tuesday ferry, via a couple of overnight stops at Mons in Belgium and Dunkirk in France. The near week spent at Weiswampach had been an absolute joy. Old friends, new friends and acquaintances, more than reasonable weather, and of course, more sidecars to please the eye and inspire. Slight negative, it rained heavy as we passed through the Ardenne as we left Luxembourg, but then it always seems to pour down whenever we travel through that particular part of Europe.

Even a German registered Panther

A few of the Sidecar Outfits at the EGT (European Sidecar Rally) 2012 At out third EGT, not surprisingly, we saw many outfits from the previous two years. Some deserved a second look, if only to once again admire, maybe even with a touch of envy creeping in. However, there were some not seen before, or justified that extra special look over. These are just a few of those considered to be worth sharing.

BMW R1200 Custom & Tripteq Heeler sidecar – An interesting take on the popular Dutch sidecar with a catching matching paint job. There were plenty of the Tripteqs at the EGT reflecting the attraction of this cost effective approach for anyone requiring good engineering and style.

BMW GS & Dutch Clog ! - There's always some humour around the sidecar scene, this time featuring the BMW GS – Tripteq's predominant target for their Heeler – and a rather unusual take on a Dutch theme. The point ? Well, why not ?

Yamaha Venture Royale & Amended Watsonian Palma – The sidecar world is noted for innovation and often a unique approach to creating a personalised outfit. This particular example really took the eye with a seriously modified Palma sidecar. Close inspection was required to determine the sidecar's ancestry. A tribute to whoever did the fibreglass work.

“Wherethehellismurph” - A not too typical approach to the BMW GS adventure sidecar outfit theme. A much modified, travel the world, example of this current trend. The stories behind this particular sidecar outfit can be found at http://wherethehellismurph.blogspot.co.uk/

Moto Guzzi & Motek Twister II – An eye catching sports outfit made up of the classic Italian sports machine and the equally sporting sidecar. The paint job clearly caught the eye.

Honda Rallye & Ural sidecar – Ural sidecars feature on many machines around the world. This example is mated to an unusual, but interesting choice of a Honda Rallye smaller adventure styled bike. For us, it looked as if it was an admirable pairing.

Big Harley & Ruko sidecar – Perhaps one of the most surprising combinations with the dominant presence of a classic Harley attached to a Ruko sidecar, normally seen besides more sporting bikes.

Equally stunning, the radical hub centre steering front end. An unusual mix to say the least, but no less fascinating.

Yamaha Super Tenere & Marz Alpino sidecar – Any resemblance to a short canoe used as a sidecar is mere conjecture. The Marz sidecar people do have a thing about sidecars that have some connection with the water. Maybe the sidecar started life as a plastic canoe, didn't ask.

Honda 400AT Automatic & Unknown sidecar – So intrigued by the use of the classic Honda automatic, failed to identify the dog carrying sidecar. Maybe a home mad, but it was an outfit with all around quality.

The Dutch owners have plans to attach a sidecar to their Honda 750 Automatic for the next EGT.

Yamaha V Max & Stern RX sidecar – The inimitable, original V Max hauling a Stern RX sidecar. The military green look certainly caught the eye, even if the colour scheme tended to make it a little inconspicuous in the grassy field.

Zundapp KS750 & Steib – An absolute German classic beautifully turned out. Maybe not a road burner, or world traveller, but still worthy of being desirable and cherished. Would be nice to have around for those gentler journeys.

Yamaha XJR & Stern sidecar – Fascinating combination of a naked Japanese bruiser with several go faster options, and an incredibly low sidecar. Inspection revealed a definite lack of space underneath this racy looking rig. Street humps and such like would be either annoying, or exciting, or even both.

Puch 250 & Kali Sidecar – This tiny classic looking sidecar outfit caught the eye of many rally attenders. Everything about it had a nostalgic, time warp look, even if the sidecar was probably not anywhere as old as the bike. A real treasure.

Triumph 900 & Hedingham Magnum sidecar – Despite the problems with the original Hedingham sidecar manufacturing in the UK, there is still a supplier of Hedinghams in Germany. The models available in Germany have sadly never been part of the UK offerings.

The 42nd Belgian Jumbo Run 2012 We first attended the Belgian Jumbo Run in 1977. This annual event became part of our family sidecar holiday for successive years until work commitments in the mid 80s interrupted the flow.

However, by then we had become familiar with the size and quality of the event, as well as establishing some long term friendships that survive to this day.

Participation was resumed in the early 1990s, so we attended the 25th Run when over 300 sidecar outfits took part. As before, the purpose was to spend a day with handicapped* young people, taking a ride together to a hosting location, and generally socialising. Although the event has declined in numbers as older sidecar riders predominantly stop riding, a surprising number have attended from the very early days, there were still 170 sidecar outfits this year.

The event always takes place at the Dominik Savio Institute*, a 30 minute ride south of Brugge, which caters for handicapped people from early years right through into adulthood. With associated specialist employment facilities and long term housing, the place can be very much provide life options for those who choose. However, the demand is great.

We stay with friends in the locality, so don't need to camp anymore, but many do in the grounds of the institute. We have lost count of how many passengers in the 28 years we have been involved, some repeats, some one offs. It has been varied. This year it was Marten, a 29 year old young man with undoubted spirit and determination. At first it was thought he would have difficulty entering and leaving our sidecar, but with a little help he managed very well. The extremely hot day seriously justified removing the small roof panel, and having the internal marine blower doing its best to keep Marten cool.

Marten's Parents, Marten, Jumbo, Pat, John Our destination was the small town of Ardooie, which provided lunch and entertainment for the afternoon after our 2 hour plus ride. The run was a little different for us as we were second in the column. Quite an experience and also a steady plod.

The actual run was not helped by the heat, but the scenery and welcome along the way kept the spirits up. As things worked out, most people took it easy for the afternoon, it was almost too hot to be out, a very different weekend compared with much of what 2012 has been about with demoralising rainfall.

The destinations for the Belgian Jumbo can vary, and we have been to parks and zoos, even a circus, but it tends to be small towns, who delight in providing for the young people and riders.

Food is always good, hospitality exceptional, and there's a genuine welcoming that enhances the experience.

Some of the sidecar outfits, we were number 2 At the end of the afternoon, a shorter ride back of about an hour to Dominik Savio ends the actual run, but precedes an evening of socialising, usually, as this year, outside chatting, drinking, and with options to eat. Our usual chicken and salad was again enjoyed and a pleasant evening with Marten and his folks. Nice people, good event, just a pity that for yet another year we were the only UK participants. Why not give it a try ?

John & Pat Procter * The words “handicapped” and “institute” were somehow deemed politically correct reputation in the UK some years back. As ever, some unknown decreed they were inappropriate, and consequently people were expected to use “more acceptable” alternatives. However, this petty approach isn't a factor in Belgium, so they are used unashamedly. No stigma, no disrespect, and clear understanding.

The internet, world wide web (www) is a source of information, opinion, and insight into a multitude of subjects, topics, and, well everything. Some is useful, lots rubbish (IMHO), and plenty of bizarre. However, if you can avoid the pop ups and adult medication, there are excellent sources of ideas and inspiration when it comes to sidecars, as well as some insight into the folk who see the motorcycle with an accessory on the side as a justification for living.

A regular port of call for this particular outfit jockey is the “Hacks” section of the Adventure Rider forum. http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=56 . Plenty to inform, entertain, and wonder at, as contributors maintain an endless tide of queries, answers, opinions, and even insults.

Much of the latter is predictable banter with the Aussie crowd doing their utmost to preserve a very distinctive colonial identity. The outback on acid coupled with a wealth of sidecar experience and expertise. Some of the builds undertaken by these guys down under are worth an admission fee.

Of course, no bike forum worth its salt would be complete without some hard line disagreement, especially in an area of motorcycling that is so diverse as sidecars. This situation is particularly acute in the very ongoing debates relating to the Ural. The acknowledged ultimate retro machine certainly stimulates debate that really has no parallel outside of some of the world's great conflicts.

It really intrigues when reading the predominant praises made by citizens of the USA about the old Russian, “communist” warhorse. I don't for one minute think the Uralistas and their doubters fully appreciate the irony of this particular, never ending “cold war”. It can become tiresome, but regular visits to “Hacks” soon develops avoidance techniques.

A must see part of the “Hacks” forum is the one started by England Kev, someone I know fairly well, namely “Sidecars- Let's see em”. This has been on the go for some time and provides an opportunity to see a vast array of sidecar rigs, both those owned by contributors, and images gleaned from many sources. A fascinating insight that easily becomes a habit each time you visit the forum. Beginners are advised to work their way through the 300 plus pages of “Sidecars – Let's see em” as time permits until in a position to go straight to the last page, or pages.

Of technical interest is another regular, the section entitled “Sidecar Design Formula”. Whilst this cannot be regarded as absolutely gospel due to the diverse nature of sidecars, motorcycles, and all the attendant factors that make sidecar outfits unique, this section is a very useful resource that can make the operation of a sidecar outfit more enjoyable and worthwhile.