Federation News & Members' Ads
Watsonian at NMM
At the recent Open Days at the National Motorcycle Museum in Solihull on 26 – 27 October, Watsonian Sidecars displayed a couple of new outfits.
One was an all-retro GP Sports paired up with one of the new 650cc BSA Gold Stars to produce a handsome traditional outfit which is both easy on the eye and easy to live with. I certainly wouldn’t fancy a Small Heath Goldie with a chair in today’s traffic!
However, it was the other outfit that impressed me - a Benelli Imperiale and Squire SB1. I think it’s the first Benelli I have ever seen with a chair. It’s a lightweight combination based on a 400cc air-cooled single with a basic Squire sidecar to make an ideal entry-level machine. This capacity class seems to be expanding at the moment and offers about the same power as the post-war five hundreds.
The bike is completely unmodified as it is intended for optional sidecar duty. The fittings are designed to connect this sidecar to this motorcycle and nothing else. They are not adjustable which not only ensures that alignment is maintained, but also makes them both lighter and stronger. All four fittings are straight with simple blade ends rather than the traditional blade-and-clevis type. Provided the correct bolts are used and kept tight, these fittings are entirely adequate for an outfit of modest performance.
The fitting system, the rubber-in-torsion suspension (like the original Squires) and the spartan sidecar all help to keep production costs down for an affordable outfit that won’t have a newbie struggling with sorting out the handling while learning how to ride. I reckon it would be fun for the old hand as well!
JRH 29.10.24
One was an all-retro GP Sports paired up with one of the new 650cc BSA Gold Stars to produce a handsome traditional outfit which is both easy on the eye and easy to live with. I certainly wouldn’t fancy a Small Heath Goldie with a chair in today’s traffic!
However, it was the other outfit that impressed me - a Benelli Imperiale and Squire SB1. I think it’s the first Benelli I have ever seen with a chair. It’s a lightweight combination based on a 400cc air-cooled single with a basic Squire sidecar to make an ideal entry-level machine. This capacity class seems to be expanding at the moment and offers about the same power as the post-war five hundreds.
The bike is completely unmodified as it is intended for optional sidecar duty. The fittings are designed to connect this sidecar to this motorcycle and nothing else. They are not adjustable which not only ensures that alignment is maintained, but also makes them both lighter and stronger. All four fittings are straight with simple blade ends rather than the traditional blade-and-clevis type. Provided the correct bolts are used and kept tight, these fittings are entirely adequate for an outfit of modest performance.
The fitting system, the rubber-in-torsion suspension (like the original Squires) and the spartan sidecar all help to keep production costs down for an affordable outfit that won’t have a newbie struggling with sorting out the handling while learning how to ride. I reckon it would be fun for the old hand as well!
JRH 29.10.24
Honda Sidecar Patent
A patent filed by Honda concerning sidecars is unusual enough to prompt investigation. The source article by one Ben Purvis was published on 6 September 2024 in the American magazine Cycle World.
Honda has apparently applied for, but not yet published, a patent for an electrically assisted sidecar that mitigates or eliminates some of the supposed handling problems of sidecars without altering the motorcycle.
There is little detail, but it seems to be an electrically driven sidecar wheel, powered by batteries in the chair, which can fulfil the functions of a differential. Load cells (172, 174 in the diagram below) in the two lower fittings (there don’t seem to be any upperones) sense the direction and tightness of a bend and via electronics, the sidecar wheel speeds or slows accordingly.
The rest of the article is just fluff showing that Mr Purvis is ignorant of sidecars or prejudiced against them or both. The illustrations show Ural outfits!
I looks like a lot of weight, cost and complexity to solve a problem that we don't actually have and it doesn't appear to change the steering geometry. Honda's R&D initiatives are always worth examining, so I wouldn't discount this out of hand, but some ideas only lead down blind alleys.
A patent filed by Honda concerning sidecars is unusual enough to prompt investigation. The source article by one Ben Purvis was published on 6 September 2024 in the American magazine Cycle World.
Honda has apparently applied for, but not yet published, a patent for an electrically assisted sidecar that mitigates or eliminates some of the supposed handling problems of sidecars without altering the motorcycle.
There is little detail, but it seems to be an electrically driven sidecar wheel, powered by batteries in the chair, which can fulfil the functions of a differential. Load cells (172, 174 in the diagram below) in the two lower fittings (there don’t seem to be any upperones) sense the direction and tightness of a bend and via electronics, the sidecar wheel speeds or slows accordingly.
The rest of the article is just fluff showing that Mr Purvis is ignorant of sidecars or prejudiced against them or both. The illustrations show Ural outfits!
I looks like a lot of weight, cost and complexity to solve a problem that we don't actually have and it doesn't appear to change the steering geometry. Honda's R&D initiatives are always worth examining, so I wouldn't discount this out of hand, but some ideas only lead down blind alleys.
Dave Nash
We are sad to report that Dave Nash, long-standing member of the Fed and Culm Vale Sidecar Club, died in the third week of September 2024. We understand that he had previously suffered a stroke. Our condolences go to his family and friends.
In accordance with his wishes, Dave was cremated on Thursday 3rd October with no ceremony and no mourners.
06.10.24
We are sad to report that Dave Nash, long-standing member of the Fed and Culm Vale Sidecar Club, died in the third week of September 2024. We understand that he had previously suffered a stroke. Our condolences go to his family and friends.
In accordance with his wishes, Dave was cremated on Thursday 3rd October with no ceremony and no mourners.
06.10.24
Explore Iceland on your own outfit!
Freedom Moto Adventures has been running tours in Iceland for a few years and, having seen what outfits are capable of on the Land's End Trial at Easter, proprietor Jimmy Skowronsky decided to offer a tour next year specifically for sidecars.
He and his wife Naz organise bike trips to Iceland with guide, accommodation, backup vehicle, bike shipping etc.
A group of around half a dozen outfits will explore the amazing landscape of Iceland using both asphalted roads and unsealed 'F-Roads'. There will be lots of river crossings, so it's probably more suitable for a Wasp or one of the new Urals than a Merlin!
For more details, see their website: Freedom Adventures or contact Jimmy directly via email.
19.04.24
Freedom Moto Adventures has been running tours in Iceland for a few years and, having seen what outfits are capable of on the Land's End Trial at Easter, proprietor Jimmy Skowronsky decided to offer a tour next year specifically for sidecars.
He and his wife Naz organise bike trips to Iceland with guide, accommodation, backup vehicle, bike shipping etc.
A group of around half a dozen outfits will explore the amazing landscape of Iceland using both asphalted roads and unsealed 'F-Roads'. There will be lots of river crossings, so it's probably more suitable for a Wasp or one of the new Urals than a Merlin!
For more details, see their website: Freedom Adventures or contact Jimmy directly via email.
19.04.24
British Sidecar Championship 2024 Series Dates Website
Round 1 13-14 April Pembrey, Carmarthenshire
Round 2 17-19 May Donington Park, Leicestershire
Round 3 14-16 June Knockhill, Fife
Round 4 05-07 July Snetterton, Norfolk
Round 5 03-04 August Cadwell Park, Lincolnshire
Round 6 11-13 October Brands Hatch, Kent
Round 1 13-14 April Pembrey, Carmarthenshire
Round 2 17-19 May Donington Park, Leicestershire
Round 3 14-16 June Knockhill, Fife
Round 4 05-07 July Snetterton, Norfolk
Round 5 03-04 August Cadwell Park, Lincolnshire
Round 6 11-13 October Brands Hatch, Kent
FIM Sidecar World Championship 2024 Dates and Venues
Round 1 18 April Le Mans France link: FIM Sidecars
Round 2 04 May Sachsenring Germany
Round 3 22 June Most Czechia
Round 4 16 August Assen Netherlands
Round 5 04 October Oschersleben Germany
Round 6 08 November Estoril Portugal
31 March 2024
Punitive parking charges proposed for motorcycles in Somerset
Fed member Carenza Ellery tells us that Bath & North East Somerset Council has begun a review of parking charges across council car parks and on-street paid-for parking locations, to be taken to public consultation.
The review will consider proposals to introduce parking charges for motorcycles on an emissions-based scale. Council controlled parking is presently free for motorcycles. The emission scale proposed, appears punitive to motorcycles.
You can see the Council papers here
In 2020 there were close to 8,000 motorcycles registered in the Council controlled area. If you are one of them, or if this affects you, you may want to be heard in the consultation.
Punitive parking charges proposed for motorcycles in Somerset
Fed member Carenza Ellery tells us that Bath & North East Somerset Council has begun a review of parking charges across council car parks and on-street paid-for parking locations, to be taken to public consultation.
The review will consider proposals to introduce parking charges for motorcycles on an emissions-based scale. Council controlled parking is presently free for motorcycles. The emission scale proposed, appears punitive to motorcycles.
You can see the Council papers here
In 2020 there were close to 8,000 motorcycles registered in the Council controlled area. If you are one of them, or if this affects you, you may want to be heard in the consultation.
2 March 2024 - New Fed Chairman
At the EGM held today in Napton Warwickshire, Martin France was elected Chair of the Federation of Sidecar Clubs. He lives in Biggleswade and rides a Triumph and Watsonian outfit. No doubt he will introduce himself once he has his feet under the table.
At the EGM held today in Napton Warwickshire, Martin France was elected Chair of the Federation of Sidecar Clubs. He lives in Biggleswade and rides a Triumph and Watsonian outfit. No doubt he will introduce himself once he has his feet under the table.
Silver Ball Café Meeting , 21 January 2024
Unless there were any intrepid souls camping over New Year (Do let us know!) this was the first Fed event of 2024. It was well attended with about fifteen outfits and a handful of solos as well as a few Fed members who, for various reasons, attended on 4 wheels. You know who you are! The weather was milder than in recent years, although temperatures were still in single figures. We were well looked after by the team at the Silver Ball who provided excellent breakfasts as well as traditional roast lunches. The attendees' geographical spread was Lincolnshire, Oxfordshire, Kent and Suffolk. One thing you can always guarantee about a sidecar meeting is the variety of machinery. |
John Whitcombe
Maureen Whitcombe would like to thank all those who came to John's Funeral and took part in the cortege.
£931 was collected for the Royal Marsden Research facility and £270 for the Kent. Sussex and Surrey Air Ambulance. Additional donations to Air Ambulances were also made in other parts of the country.
12.01.24
Maureen Whitcombe would like to thank all those who came to John's Funeral and took part in the cortege.
£931 was collected for the Royal Marsden Research facility and £270 for the Kent. Sussex and Surrey Air Ambulance. Additional donations to Air Ambulances were also made in other parts of the country.
12.01.24