Isle of Man sidecars

[Rob S.]

I think you know how I feel about anything that bolts on to a motorcycle, but the sidecars at Isle of Man are pretty wild. Question: if we removed all the bodywork from one of those rigs, would it look like a motorcycle? It seems too low, and the finished product looks more like a go-cart.

Isle of Man TT rocks!

 

[KiwiAlfa156]

Yep, they are unique. Up until 1996 the were part of the FIM World Champs (which became 'MotoGP). In 1949 they were a motorcycle with a chair bolted on, but logical engineering developed them into what they are today. In the 1980, 7 x times world champion Rolf Biland built a sidecar where the passenger sat like an F1 driver and didn't move. A passive passenger was a bridge to far and this prototype was banned. Monkeys have to work, no free ride.

 

[Buffalo Bill]

Interesting, driver's seat is part of the body so not shown.

 

[Rob S.]

Yikes! Talk about a hot seat!

 

[Jinks]

In the early '70s I got to be the swinger on a road race H2 kwaka 750 2 stroke for a few practice laps, Out of the pits kneeling on the platform hugging the back gaurd then 1st right hander bracing my feet on the side car wheel mount & weight over the back wheel, the short straight down hugging the back gaurd, at the left hander holding the mounts at the side car wheel & bracing my feet on the back gaurd whilst scrapping my hip shoulder & helmet on the race track then fluid change on the right hander to put my weight over the back wheel, all this at full race speed, then fluid movement to lay down on the platform down the main straight at 100+MPH, I had to point my toes of my boots to stop them scapping on the track. Repeat for a couple of laps. One of the best experiences of my life!!