MOTOR CHAT

[velomaniac]

I know used gets more for the buck but it does not get a warranty. I have never owned a new vehicle and I'm sick of inheriting previous owners worn out kit that forever needs fixed.

Jawas are tuned for greater spread of power throughout rev range as opposed to more usual high rev range only. This does however reduce speed and power but increases torque and mpg so quite well suited to sidecar haulage.

If I went side car route it would have to be left hand mounted sidecar, right handed are a legal minefield as it becomes clear Dept. of Transport would love to consign this mode of transport to history.

Can get a Greek designed and assembled sidecar combo using chinese bike bits for about £4500 but its available as either a 250 or 125 so not a lot of BHP as you can imagine.

 

[The Ken]

That's all very sensible Velo but you can't pretend to shoot at people as authentically.

You can buy a warranty for any second hand vehicle though.

 

[gmac123]

THAT IS AWESOME

and what a site, my afternoons work will now see me search for Tiger II or a Mardar II

brilliant work as usual Mark, look forward to the updates

 

[RobMac]

Contemplating, probably wont do it but contemplating new motorbike. In mix so far, remember I'm weird, Jawa 350 Classic and Royal Enfield Bullet 500, ones a two stroke twin the other a fourstroke single. Outside choice is a Chang Jiang 750 which is a chinese clone of a WW2 derived BMW twin but I'm unsure of how reliable the source of these is. All three are suitable for sidecars but I cant afford one but maybe having the bike would be a step toward that goal. All retail around £4000 mark. As I say probably will not do it but the idea is niggling away at me.
Gut says Jawa, I do like the smell of two stroke in the morning..........ringdingdingdingding

viewtopic.php?f=17&t=301310

 

[dyna-ti]

If i had a license and a bit more money thats just the thing i would ride
Spent a bit of time on the south coast and theres a lot of old bikes about down there.

 

[old_coyote_pedaller]

Re:

My brother had one of those Russian built copies of the German WW2 motorbike and sidecar units. Think it was a Cossack or Ural, think it had a 750cc engine. Probably still has it. Also had some other East European bike, Jawa?, too.
The sidecar was on the right like in the photo, he took me through to Edinburgh in it one day years ago in the middle of winter, never felt so cold in my life or so vulnerable.
He told me he managed to roll it one day. Was going round a right hand bend at speed, the sidecar started to lift so he straightened up the steering to drop it but couldn't steer back into corner quickly enough as he had the steering damper done up tighter to make it more stable at speed. Straight across grass verge, up a banking, got caught by barbed wire fence which flipped him and unit upside down. Don't think he or bike were damaged much.

 

[epicyclo]

I had a Dnepr in Oz once. I used to go trail riding on it.

By the time I had replaced the forks, brakes, carbs, handlebars, controls, lights and rear suspension units with stuff off Japanese bikes or BMWs it was rideable and handled well.

Was great for making large holes in dirt roads - just open up in first gear with the front brake on and in no time you'd have a hole deep enough to park in (I suppose a sidestand would have done the same job ).

 

[firedfromthecircus]

Out of your choices Velo I would go for the Enfield. One positive about them is that Border Bikes in Duns is now a dealer for them and the guy who owns it is a good bloke. Handy enough for you in Loanhead too. Certainly better than the Chang Jiang, especially if you are referring to BEMW.

http://www.borderbikes.com/products.php?cat_id=150

 

[jimihendrix]

That is just amazing, and as you say wont depreciate, think of the fun you could have in rush hour (or at any time really) with a sidecar mounted machine gun (dressed in full military kit of course)

Got the Lotus MOT'd yesterday, kind of expected it to fail (was worried about the emissions with those big Dellorto's) was just a case of how serious.

Failed on front anti-roll bar bushes (knew these were bad), bad earth on a couple of lights and a blow from the exhaust and that's it, not a bad result

Got the Anti-roll bar off today, new polly bush kit ordered, exhaust leak was from the centre silencer (new stainless steel exhaust just badly fitted) so was easier to take the whole lot off, will re-fit with new clamps and mounts etc, and of course paste on the joints (it had been assembled dry).

Drove fantastic yesterday to the MOT garage though, sound glorious and is surprisingly quick, also got quite a bit of attention on the road

 

[velomaniac]

Always fancied a sidecar, you turn left by slowing then accelerating as you turn to overtake the side car. To turn right you brake as you turn to let the sidecar overtake you. Thats the theory but it needs a bit of practice.
Reality and finance will probably knock this idea on its head but its nice to dream.
I did have an MZ 250 in the past, loved that bike but some wee scrotes nicked it one night and torched it on the wasteground on the edge of town