For
some, it is a source of ridicule, but even Jaguar Cars owe their existence to
the Sidecar.

Sidecars
have always been good for a laugh, and some of the best sitcoms and comedy
films have featured them, quite often becoming separated from the motorbike,
but there’s more to this unique mode of transport than meets the eye. Some
would be surprised to learn that Jaguar Cars began their life as a sidecar
manufacturing company.

 

They
first appeared on the scene at the beginning of the twentieth century, with
early wicker models looking more like a cradle than a bona fide method of
carrying passengers, but development moved on quickly as car body builders
moved into the sector. Wicker was out, replaced by both open and covered models
of various quality. In 1912, T.F. Watson of Birmingham, England
invented a folding sidecar that would permit access through passages at the
side of terraced houses. Today, the company of Watsonian Squire is still in the
business of producing sidecars. AJS introduced a ?D’ model motorcycle and
sidecar in 1913; the coach-built sidecar was manufactured by C.W.Hayward. These
fully sprung sidecars were lovingly constructed and fitted out with leather
upholstery. A weatherproof top came as an extra to protect two passengers, who
strange as it may seem by today’s thinking, sat side by side. The passenger
nearest to the motorcycle would steer the sidecar with the aid of a tiller.

 

Although
the popularity of riding an ?outfit’ (motorcycle and sidecar), has fluctuated
over time, there is no doubt that the heyday was before the middle of the
fifties. During the hard economic times of the thirties, an outfit was a viable
alternative to the motor car, and a myriad of companies, including aviation concerns,
became involved in the manufacture of sidecars. Also in the thirties, Uralmoto
Zavod of Russia  produced models in co-operation with BMW, who
were still restricted by the treaty of Versailles.

 

In
the war years, sidecars were to play an important role in the military. One of
the most versatile machines ever made was the BMW R75, which featured a driven
sidecar wheel, diff lock, selectable low range gearbox and reverse gear, which
combined gave impressive off-road capabilities. The R75 design was also adopted
by the Russians to produce their Ural and Dnepr models. Between 1940 and 1944,
Zundapp produced the KS750 which was often accompanied by a sidecar. Although
the machine was fast, manoeuvrable, reliable and much loved by its users, it
was also expensive. The sidecar was often used by a gunner operating a mounted
machine-gun. However, before all these offerings, came Clyno of Wolverhampton,
England who built a machine gun carrying sidecar for use in the First World
War. Sidecars have been and still are, used by police forces throughout the
world.

 

We’ve
all seen the dramatic footage of sidecar racers hanging over the track to balance
the machine correctly Apart from being an exciting sport to take part in, it’s
also pretty entertaining from a spectators perspective, that’s why sidecar
racing events are still as popular as ever. As well as track and road, sidecars
also compete in Motocross, Enduro and Grasstrack events throughout the world.

 

Although
interest in sidecars has waned since the fifties , there are still many
enthusiasts who attend club meetings dedicated to outfits.  

About the author

The original article, along with other motorcycle articles
can be seen at http://www.motorbike-tours.co.uk  The website is dedicated to motorcycle
touring in Europe. The tours can be seen
at http://www.motorbike-tours.co.uk/tour.htm

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