Classics Words & photos: Rhys Jones The ubiquitous motorcycle and sidecar
In 1935 a quarter of all motorcycles in Britain had sidecars attached to them. Younger generations will probably regard sidecars as a relic from a bygone era. Why, some might ask, was it necessary after the invention of the motorcycle to attach a sidecar to it? Why not simply buy a car? Cost is one reason. They were half the price of a car. They used far less fuel, and were faster than most cars. The sidecar also turned the motorcycle into a family vehicle, allowing three, and in some cases four, people to travel. For example a mother, father, and two children could enjoy a day’s outing. The sidecar outfit also had many other uses. Having the capacity to carry far more than a solo motorcycle they were used extensively as commercial delivery vehicles. Motoring organisations such as the AA and RAC in the UK found a use for them. Police forces used them, and in war time they became gun carriages. During World War II, German troops used BMW and Zundapp sidecar outfits. On German, French, Belgian, British, and Soviet military outfits, the sidecar wheel was often driven by a differential gear to improve all terrain stability. Either Russian P.V. Mokharov or British H.P. Baughn appear to have been the first to devise the live, or driven, sidecar wheel in the late 1920s. The British two-wheel-drive outfits were so successful in trials events in the early 1930s that attempts were made to have the Auto Cycle Union, the controlling body of motorcycle sport at the time, to ban them from competition. Several companies experimented with, and produced, two-wheel drive outfits for both sporting events, and general road-going use. It was, however, for military use that most were in demand. No doubt the power of a second drive wheel was a great help in transporting heavy machine guns and ammunition around. Currently, the Russian manufacturer Ural produces several models with two-wheel drive that can be engaged when the need arises. KR publisher Vege has one, which he regularly uses off-road. 1936 Brough Superior SS80. 990cc. Used by the police in the U.K 1970 Vespa V46 150cc, with American made sidecar