Are we going to observe a resurgence of the sidecar? Until the 1950’s sidecars were quite popular because they provided a cheap alternative to passenger cars. Sidecars are generally aftermarket products manufactured by companies independent of those producing the driving motorcycle. So, this type of 3-wheeler vehicle may become a new source of inspiration for many custom builders loving to build classic machines bearing similarities to the originals but with their own twist.
Building from scratch the passenger chassis, reworking the frame assembly, adapting the suspension for good handling are not easy tasks, but it is a challenge that more custom builders should attempt. It’s what did UK based Shaw Speed And Customs for a client living in Beirut, Lebanon. A 2010 Harley Cross Bones was chosen as the driving vehicle. An appropriate choice because in its factory livery this model (produced 2009/2010) is reminiscent of the authentic, raw and stripped-down post-war Bobber , Spristyling, Springer front end, sprung solo seat and half-moon rider footboards included.
A sidecar is typically mounted so that the motorcycle is closer to the centre of the road, i.e. with the sidecar on the right for right-hand traffic, and on the left for left-hand traffic. Although built in the UK (left- hand traffic), “Strike Back” follows the setup of right-hand traffic because being ridden in Lebanon. The Shaw Speed And Custom team started the conversion with a complete strip down of the Cross Bones to its bare frame. The front forks were shortened 50mm with a new 21” wheel replacing the factory size 16”, resulting in a modifed trail more appropriate to sidecar handling characteristics.
Frame and swingarm were modified to receive the sidecar mounts. Tank was cut away underside where the injection pump is now located. The flush fitting speedo was fitted in the original fuel gauge area. An existing sidecar tubing architecture and shell were both heavily modified, widening the sidecar 7” and lowering it by 3” for added stability. For safety and style. an entry step on the sidecar and a full length running board between the sidecar chassis and motorcycle were added. Inside, a 1959’s Caterham bucket seat and aluminum foot plates were installed. All other modifications described in tech sheet below. Shaw Speed And Custom.
Name. Strike Back
Builder. Neil Sefton/Dave Rollison
Fabrication. Dave Rollison
Bike. Harley-Davidson Softail Crossbones
Engine. 1584c
Transmission. stock 6 speed
Front forks. stock lowered
Handlebars. 1940 Speedster
Master cylinder. Performance Machine
Grips. Chops 76
Throttle. Internal
Headlamp. CSC
Indicator housings. CSC
Air Breather Garage 1571
Carb. Screamin Eagle
Pipes. Vance & Hines Competition stainless
Rear Fender. Shaw Speed & Custom
Wheels. Rebuilt Shaw Speed & Custom
Outfit Spinner Jaguar
Outfit Fender Shaw Speed
Rear Sprocket. Roland Sands Design Black Ops
Tires. Metzeler
Brake Rotors. Roland Sands Design
Brake Calipers. Performance Macine
Oil Tank . Custom
Oil Lines. Goodridge
Seat. Roland Sands Design
Engine Covers. Roland Sands Design
Derby Cover. Roland sands Design
Timer Cover. Roland Sands Design
Paint. Design Custom
Great build.
I must admit. I would love to have this one.
H-d should produce one like that. They just need to add the rig to the Crossbones.
Spot-on….! Love it!
Steve Carr
An exciting sidecar ride.
very nice bike 🙂 so bad he don’t knows our products ( EMD )
Great looking hack, they are a little different to ride, not quite as easy as a trike, but much cooler! Liking this Shaw Speed and Customs, more and more!
If you’re looking for a sidecar this seems to fit the bill nicely!
Very nice bike and chair,
I wonder why we no longer see HD Springer’s manufactured ?
Thanks for all the great comments, it means alot to us at SS&C. This was a great build for us technically as well as making it look good. Theres so much you cant see which adds to the clean build. Myself and dealer principal, Steve Willis have enjoyed many miles testing and adjusting geometry for the perfect ride. This one definately gives you the “grin factor”.
Gorgeous rig. Very appealing.
Great look, appears to be built as one piece and everything works together so fine. Darn shame it’s in a part of the world where it will eventually be blown up 🙁
Looks very nice, very nice.
Great looking rig. Working on one myself. Hopefully it comes out this cool.
Love it ! Great job !
Well done that looks sensational. First time a HD Crossbones has ever looked good
Very Impressed!
Luv it. Very nicely done.
Tradition is always a winner, Do it!
These guys just keep cranking out extremely nice custom bikes every time. Well done guys. Another stunner
Great looking build …….can’t help to see the hack on this Crossbones looks exactly like a Watsonian GP Manx Sidecar?
See for yourself: http://www.vonbaronmotorcycles.com/ ask for Chris (239) 400-1289
watsoniansquireusa@aol.com
Watsonian Squire USA
Don’t like sidecars & I do think they are dangerous
as they are way more unstable than a trike not to mention a Can-Am Spyder
But this set up is very, very Stylish & looks like a winner !!!!
Congrats !!!!!!
RE:
“… they are dangerous…”
Well, its axiomatic:
“…Most things in life that are Fun and Exciting are also Dangerous…”
Now, if they are Stylish on top of it…… then they are “Way Cool”…… !!!!
As they say, “a man has to know his limitations”…..
But to me, that scooter and side hack rig is Way Cooler-n a trike.
So, if your up to it, then go for it……………. 🙂
(if your not that’s OK too, just don’t spoil it for the rest of us)
-nicker-
Brother do I ever wish . There is nothing I’d like more than to see a resurgence of Sidecars … both aftermarket but especially factory made . Don’t get me wrong . I’ve got nothing against the current trend towards Trike s . Two forward or to the rear . They’ve gotten plenty of folks either on ….. or back on bikes that otherwise would never be capable of riding .
But ….. there is no doubt …. there is something extremely cool , eccentric and eclectic about sidecars that a trike cannot match . Not to mention Sidecars being my current ride of choice . Here’s hoping 😉
Nice build with a very nice stance and great graphics. I like the fender carried over to the hack, the chair having been lowered in the sidecar frame and the addition of the skid plates. The Jag wheel spinner is a nice touch as Jag started out as a sidecar manufacturer. Gina is right, the sidecar is a Watsonian-Squire but they put the WS nose badge on upside down.
I Love Sidecars, they are as safe as the owner wants them to be, with proper set up they handle with no more safety issues than any trike. Plus, they are way, way cooler than any trike except, well …….. maybe a Indian Dispatch Tow or a pre 1940’s HD Servicar.
love it .perfect
now that is bad azz ! Finally someone not following the “TREND” . Thank You !!!!!!