had a sidecar..."Of course," he tweeted back and sent this photo of his magnificent vintage bike and sidecar.
Check out Jay Leno's Garage at: http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/
Facts, Fun, Fotos / Sidecars Are The Future
November 23, 2010
JAY LENO'S SIDECAR
had a sidecar..."Of course," he tweeted back and sent this photo of his magnificent vintage bike and sidecar.
Check out Jay Leno's Garage at: http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/
November 15, 2010
WATSONIAN SIDECAR STARS IN NEW HARRY POTTER FLICK
A MAIN STAR of the latest, much-anticipated Harry Potter blockbuster due to be released nationwide later this week hails from the north Cotswolds.
The stunningly savvy pale blue Royal Enfield motorcyle and Watsonian sidecar which features in the seventh Harry Potter movie- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 -have been supplied by Blockley-based company Watsonian Squire.
The uber cool motorcycle/sidecar combo skips and flies across London, piloted by Hagrid, played by Robbie Coltrane, while Harry, played by Daniel Radcliffe, rolls with the punches.
Ben Matthews, director and co-owner of Watsonian Squire, which is based at Northwick Park Business Centre, said the firm’s 20 workers were excited about the new movie opening November 19.
Ben said: “We were contacted by the company that sources vehicles for films.”
Ben, who lives in Evesham, said he has never read the Harry Potter books or seen any of the movies, though his son, Troy, aged 12, is an avid fan.
The stunningly savvy pale blue Royal Enfield motorcyle and Watsonian sidecar which features in the seventh Harry Potter movie- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 -have been supplied by Blockley-based company Watsonian Squire.
The uber cool motorcycle/sidecar combo skips and flies across London, piloted by Hagrid, played by Robbie Coltrane, while Harry, played by Daniel Radcliffe, rolls with the punches. Ben Matthews, director and co-owner of Watsonian Squire, which is based at Northwick Park Business Centre, said the firm’s 20 workers were excited about the new movie opening November 19.
Ben said: “We were contacted by the company that sources vehicles for films.”
Originally the film makers only wanted sidecars but when they saw the Royal Enfields they ended up buying seven complete motorbike and sidecar 'outfits'.
“One ended up in a lake, one was made lighter for a flying scene and one was modified for a stunt,” said Ben, whose team has had to keep quiet about the movie tie-in for the past 18 months.
“It all very exciting, ” said Ben, whose sidecars are expected to be used at the London premiere today. “We have been helping get them roadworthy,” he added.
Ben, who lives in Evesham, said he has never read the Harry Potter books or seen any of the movies, though his son, Troy, aged 12, is an avid fan.
“I will have to take the kids to see it,” said Ben, whose firm has also supplied sidecars for The Two Fat Ladies TV cookery show and Charlie Boorman’s travel documentaries.
Film star Ewan McGregor recently bought one of the Cotswold firm’s sidecars which was shipped to his home in California. A version of the “Harry Potter” motorbike and sidecar will feature on Watsonian Squire’s stand at the upcoming Motorcycle Live exhibition at Birmingham NEC.
November 8, 2010
THE VW SIDECAR
This charming VW sidecar was built by Jason Dyer of Resto Tec in the United Kingdom. Note the sidecar is on the left side of the Lambretta scooter. It was featured in June 2007 issue of the UK published Scootering magazine. The issue is available via back order:
https://classicissues.com/bidetail.asp?feature=&year=2007&Submit=Find+issues&title=SCO&AutoNo=1001914
November 1, 2010
SIDECAR RACING
Sidecar Racing was formalized in 1949 with the inaugural World Championship won by Brits--and sidecar racing innovators--Eric Oliver and Denis Jenkinson. The next year, Oliver moved his sidecar wheel 10 inches forward, a full 11 inches ahead of the rear axle line. In 1953, Oliver appeared at the Belgium Grand Prix in a unit designed and manufactured by Watsonian Sidecars. The frame was a single rigid unit with smaller wheels, shortened forks and sleek bodywork. "The Kneeler" Sidecar was born! The driver wasn't sitting on the machine, but was in a semi-kneeling position with feet behind. Driver/Pilot and Co-Driver/Co-Pilot must work together to be successful. 
World Championship Sidecar Racing is enjoyed all over the world, The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM, International Motorcycling Federation) is the governing body of motorcycle racing. The U.S. has sponsored Sidecar Racing events (Laguna Seca). There are three types of races: Match, Sprint, Gold.Visit the FIM website: http://www.fim-live.com/en/sport/sidecar
Innovations continued in the racing machines: four cylinders, overhead cam wave, fuel injection. Tires are wide with a flat profile; the sidecars are often called "worms."
FIM Sidecar World Championship is raced over a number of rounds (5 in 2010) at race circuits, mainly in Europe. The current world champions are Pekka Paivarinta and Adolf Hanni (LCR-Suzuki GSX-R 1000).
Here is an example of sidecar racing posted on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9c0yQ4TPEM&feature=related
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