A little bit on the side

Maybe this is only applicable for Barry but who knows

A friend of mine has a track racing sidecar.

A sticker on the side of the bike reads "I really do fancy a bit on the side"

I think I'm going to like this thread......  




New "Family" sticker

I had the opportunity to "swing" for a friend on his motocross outfit on a practice day

It was 1974 in Hobart so I was a lot younger and flexible then

This "friend" asked me to do some laps of the track as his regular passenger had not turned up. I foolishly agreed

I think we completed two laps getting airborne on a number of occasions. I also reckon I crushed some of the frame tubing with my bare hands out of sheer terror.

After the second lap he asked if I was enjoying myself and would I like to continue.

I reckon I was in a state of shock and could barely speak (unusual for me!). I think my response was probably unprintable.

What an experience

I think Barry has also  been known to fancy a  bit " behind " as well 

Well that degraded pretty quickly......

Getting back to sidecar racing....

I have often thought a sidecar would be handy , but as I also commute , lane splitting would be somewhat limited 

If Harry Potter can do it.....  



Actually, its just a matter of making your profile a little narrower...  

If only I could convince these Adelaide drivers to sit like that on our roads  ...............some of them are learning though & parting the way for bikes if they see you coming
Are consumables e.g, chain & brake wear much different ?

barry_mcki wrote:Getting back to sidecar racing....

Now that's a sport I'd like to see

paul wrote:
Are consumables e.g, chain & brake wear much different ?

Yes they are not exactly designed for commuting in heavy traffic, but I think one of those Urals with the machine gun mounted on the front could be of benefit  

Brakes I think I'm a little heavy handed so to speak, replaced the front at 30k, back are still okay.  

Chain seems pretty good, I did change the front cog to a GSXR-1000 17 tooth for more low down grunt because of the extra weight I'm carrying (both midriff and the chair ).  Went with the factory 17 tooth because the Suzuki cogs have a dampener on them that makes them a little quieter than aftermarket gears.

Rims are original Bandits but the tyres are a little different to normal.  Back tyre is a car profile Maxxis 205/45R17 that has worn very well, 30K on it now and still a fair bit of life in it.  However I've gone through 3 fronts, the PR 2 and then the 3 were disappointly low miles (plus I think I had pressures screwed up) - only got about 3 to 4K on them.  Got a Bridgestone Battlax BT45R 130/7-17 rear tyre mounted reverse on the front rim now, that's proving to be pretty good, seems to be a lot harder compound in the middle (where the PR's were relatively soft).  I'm onto my second chair tyre now, they're little 145-10 on a Mini Contessa style 5in wide rim.

madmax wrote:

barry_mcki wrote:Getting back to sidecar racing....

Now that's a sport I'd like to see

Find the motorcycle in this picture...   

Ok you've got me, what motorcycle?

nope, can't see one

Obviously the term ..............you need big balls to ride one of them doesn't apply here .....................

barry_mcki wrote:

paul wrote:
Are consumables e.g, chain & brake wear much different ?

Yes they are not exactly designed for commuting in heavy traffic, but I think one of those Urals with the machine gun mounted on the front could be of benefit  

Brakes I think I'm a little heavy handed so to speak, replaced the front at 30k, back are still okay.  

Chain seems pretty good, I did change the front cog to a GSXR-1000 17 tooth for more low down grunt because of the extra weight I'm carrying (both midriff and the chair ).  Went with the factory 17 tooth because the Suzuki cogs have a dampener on them that makes them a little quieter than aftermarket gears.

Rims are original Bandits but the tyres are a little different to normal.  Back tyre is a car profile Maxxis 205/45R17 that has worn very well, 30K on it now and still a fair bit of life in it.  However I've gone through 3 fronts, the PR 2 and then the 3 were disappointly low miles (plus I think I had pressures screwed up) - only got about 3 to 4K on them.  Got a Bridgestone Battlax BT45R 130/7-17 rear tyre mounted reverse on the front rim now, that's proving to be pretty good, seems to be a lot harder compound in the middle (where the PR's were relatively soft).  I'm onto my second chair tyre now, they're little 145-10 on a Mini Contessa style 5in wide rim.

I suppose the extra weight wouldn't help much, but at the same time , it probably doesn't get that hard a time either.................had a mate who took great delight in lifting his " chair " like the other photo 

You've probably seen vids of bikes at the top of the Snake on Mulholland, but this might be a first....