Ever tried to navigate a shopping trolley with shot wheel bearings, slaloming up an isle they were shelf stacking. Pissed? Trying to manhandle a Cossack sidecar combo comes pretty close. Me and three mates decided it would be a cheap and entertaining way to get from London to Lisbon in Portugal, to visit a Lady friend. We sourced said bike going for a song in the local paper, then went around for a test-ride, each taking a turn at the helm while the owner followed in his car. We each committed minor hit-and-run with parked cars and street furniture; soiling pants in the process - the owner just nodding to carry on regardless.
For the trip we had this mad plan to rotate duties whilst in transit... position 1) riding fresh up-front. 2) smoking in the chair. 3) recuperating as pillion - then swap one place. If we didn't get too whacked it would only take a few days.
Checking that the paper work was kosher - the bike being in amazing condition for a 1940's antique with only 20,000 miles on the clock "Err it's from 1986" came the response. The Russians raided the BMW factory in 1940, nicking the plans for the then advanced R71. Apart from adding Massey Ferguson indicator lights, they hadn't bothered updating it. What the hell, we handed over the dosh. The owner offered to give us some riding lessons if we come back after the rush-hour, which was nice. As we were coming back, I decided to pick up the money back off the table. But we bottled it and never came back.
Chicken Shit BP
Thanks for Mick Jansen of the Dutch Brothers Racing team for sending in the photo.
Err I dont know much about toe-in set-up for sidecars, but I'd say that chair wheel is about to fold in half?
YEAH!
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