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john
Forum Moderator
Victoria
3130 Posts |
 Posted - 26 Jan 2004 : 3:07:29 PM
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Do you have a bright idea to help grow the sidecar fields?
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John Daley Sidecar #68
' there are those who do, those who dont do and those who undo. We must lampoon the latter." |
Edited by - john on 03 Feb 2004 12:54:44 PM |
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acotrel
Advanced Member
Victoria
2147 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jan 2004 : 12:24:49 PM
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As I suggested a while back, I believe we need an Historic Sidecars Register. Anyone looking for a sidecar these days is really stuck with going to a meeting and questioning competitors as to where an old sidecar can be found.
If we had a register, and publicised the service, we might get a lot of people interested. It wouldn't be too difficult to have it internet based. We could even advertise sidecars both from Australia, and overseas. |
Is your machine authentic or merely eligible? |
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john
Forum Moderator
Victoria
3130 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jan 2004 : 5:44:22 PM
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| done ! |
John Daley Sidecar #68
' there are those who do, those who dont do and those who undo. We must lampoon the latter." |
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David
Site Administrator
Australia
999 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jan 2004 : 09:07:29 AM
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I could set-up the online Historic Sidecars Register though this site if users want. I can create the database and web pages for people with the right access to view the registry.
I feel that the full contents should not be made open to the general public, but should be made available to club presidents and the club secretary. The only information that should be available to the general public should be the name and the club of the person who is entered in to the database. This can easly be set-up to operate and I am willing to help.
Let us all know on your thoughts.
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Regards,
David
Webmaster & Owner of Classic Motorcycling Australia
Quote: I thought I wanted a career, turns out I just wanted to be paid. |
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acotrel
Advanced Member
Victoria
2147 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jan 2004 : 7:18:42 PM
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David, It'd be nice to be able to have a look at pics of what sidecars are available (even incomplete). If this goes ahead, would you set up a 'gallery page', or a classified ads page with pics ? How about You must be logged in to see this link. as an address?
Best Regards, |
Is your machine authentic or merely eligible? |
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john
Forum Moderator
Victoria
3130 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jan 2004 : 11:43:04 PM
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| David I feel we need a brief description of the machine, which era, price, year of manufacture if known, condition of majors parts- engine, fairings, tyres and wheels and a reference number for me a Secretary to pass on info. Perhaps we could generate a form for consstancy. I believe the price is important so readers can get a general idea of how serious the offer is and if it is worth their while following up. Perhaps even a state or general location as well. |
John Daley Sidecar #68
' there are those who do, those who dont do and those who undo. We must lampoon the latter." |
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john
Forum Moderator
Victoria
3130 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jan 2004 : 11:51:28 PM
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| At You must be logged in to see this link. the international site for sidecars, I have requested some web pages to assist people to understand what sidecars are about. I have also requested pages to details where to find parts and services within Australia etc for the sidecar fraternity. If we dont get what we think we need I shall lokk at setting up a site to deal with Modern sidecars alone. Please dont get offened David, I think all sidecar Eras need help. Some years ago I run a very successful F2 Australia site to cover just those machines and it only stopped because the frre listings were removed. |
John Daley Sidecar #68
' there are those who do, those who dont do and those who undo. We must lampoon the latter." |
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Geoffpgrant
Level 3 Member
South Australia
204 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jan 2004 : 2:50:58 PM
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I think that a register is an excellent idea but not just for outfits that are for sale. I only started racing a sidecar two and half years ago and it took me ages to make contact with sidecar racers who were not in my state so could we have an Australia wide register with a list of outfits (description, motor details, owner name and contact details) with a flag which announces them as 'actively racing', 'dormant' or 'for sale'. This would certainly assist networking I think, especially for people like me who travel a lot (both to race and for other purposes) it would provide the ability to contact people if one was going to be in their area. What does everyone think?
Cheers
Geoff
Sidecar #30 |
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David
Site Administrator
Australia
999 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jan 2004 : 3:21:22 PM
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Geoff,
This could be done, but it wouold require a flag to let those who want to have the ability to not make their full details public (reasons behind it). Plus we need to think, who is going to maintain the database and keep it up to date?
I know I can host the database and create the web pages, but I will not have the time or resources to make sure the database is up to date.
But a good idea non the less. I am putting the final touches to the new look web site and then will start on the database for trhe registry if people want it.
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Regards,
David
Webmaster & Owner of Classic Motorcycling Australia
Quote: I thought I wanted a career, turns out I just wanted to be paid. |
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john
Forum Moderator
Victoria
3130 Posts |
Posted - 31 Jan 2004 : 09:03:31 AM
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| I will maintain the list. I have been working on a separate site which is expressley for the purpose of helping newbies. It will describe sidecars etc and then refer people to active sidecar sites. Dont worry Dave you are already refffered to . Try the first experiment You must be logged in to see this link. . It may change but this is the style I am thinking of. Dave do you have something like this.I HAVE FIXED THE WRONG ADDRESS GIVEN |
John Daley Sidecar #68
' there are those who do, those who dont do and those who undo. We must lampoon the latter." |
Edited by - john on 01 Feb 2004 09:12:35 AM |
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acotrel
Advanced Member
Victoria
2147 Posts |
Posted - 03 Feb 2004 : 5:02:11 PM
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| John, What are the championship classes for Historic Sidecars? Is there still an under 500cc Junior Class, and are the classes run in all periods? |
Is your machine authentic or merely eligible? |
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acotrel
Advanced Member
Victoria
2147 Posts |
Posted - 03 Feb 2004 : 5:04:23 PM
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| Does anyone know of an ex-TZ750 outfit without motor for sale? I remember seeing Vince Genovas TZ750, it was pretty schmick. It'd be really good in forgotten era with a Kawasaki 750 motor. |
Is your machine authentic or merely eligible? |
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john
Forum Moderator
Victoria
3130 Posts |
Posted - 03 Feb 2004 : 10:03:49 PM
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| Historic Champs run Classic All powers, Post Classic All powers. No 650cc or 500cc Class. There are simply not enough on the track at the moment. |
John Daley Sidecar #68
' there are those who do, those who dont do and those who undo. We must lampoon the latter." |
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David
Site Administrator
Australia
999 Posts |
Posted - 04 Feb 2004 : 9:15:08 PM
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OK, I have made a start on this and you can see where I am going with the You must be logged in to see this link..
I would like to know if this is the sort of information you would like to see! All of the data that is in there, is pretend data and will be removed when I finsih the registry. What I have done is also allowed users to see 5 things on the first page (Name, State, Active, Type & Forsale).
This is non-specific data and if the user has said yes make it public, then they can click on the users name.
Let me know what you think, I will also be removing the Address, Phone numbers and email address items later on, but will be available to officials of clubs only when we go live.
Give me some feedback please.
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Regards,
David
Webmaster & Owner of Classic Motorcycling Australia
Quote: I thought I wanted a career, turns out I just wanted to be paid. |
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john
Forum Moderator
Victoria
3130 Posts |
Posted - 05 Feb 2004 : 10:15:49 AM
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| Dave I would suggest you add log Book Y / N and perhaps Spares Y /N some brief history of machine |
John Daley Sidecar #68
' there are those who do, those who dont do and those who undo. We must lampoon the latter." |
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acotrel
Advanced Member
Victoria
2147 Posts |
Posted - 05 Feb 2004 : 7:58:58 PM
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| David, I tried to access the 'Bike Registry' without success. It might be worthwhile putting a couple of entries in your data base just to see what it looks like, in use. |
Is your machine authentic or merely eligible? |
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john
Forum Moderator
Victoria
3130 Posts |
Posted - 05 Feb 2004 : 9:10:10 PM
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| I have had the fololwing comments passed to me from another site. P Classic are too expensive to race c. w. F2 moderns and the capacity of P/ Classic should be limited to 836cc. That of course would cause problems for the existing big bore machines. |
John Daley Sidecar #68
' there are those who do, those who dont do and those who undo. We must lampoon the latter." |
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superrocket
Level 1 Member
Queensland
9 Posts |
Posted - 13 Oct 2004 : 7:20:29 PM
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| Hi - I don't know if my ideas are contsructive or not as i have only been racing for a few years. One thing i have noticed is most spectators like to watch the sidecars as they are dramatic and showy, perhaps in classics we can return to a big wheeler class with 18inch wheels all round and motors of standard capacity. I know of a few old bikes in sheds and have heard of others that have disappeared - some in the recent past for one reason or another. I remember how much fun it was watching the old bikes as a kid fondly. I believe the Poms run a class like this.We might have lost sight of the fun side of racing in pursuit of speed. As a relative newcomer i am trying to help - not be a smart****. Many thanks - Lex |
Lex Dreier |
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Alan
Forum Moderator
Western Australia
353 Posts |
Posted - 13 Oct 2004 : 10:27:59 PM
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Lex, Not so long ago there were quite a number of Classic sidecars around mostly in NSW and Victoria with reasonable numbers in Queensland. These are basically 16 inch wheeled machines and have a sitting position and are probably what you are alluding to. Yes they are fun to watch and I can vividly remember watching Rodney and Evelyn round me up going over Skyline at Wanneroo in 1998 with their sidecar wheel out in the dirt and the motor still on full song.
Why they are disappearing we dont really know maybe a phone around survey would provide some answers. Some of the reasoning would be, the changing of the brake rule in 1998, the introduction of Log Books, the more rigid enforcement of the rules and of course the usual, its getting too expensive, cant afford it and family pressure, thats without admitting that all and sundry are getting older.
I dont know the answer but we in the West have tried most things and found we had our biggest fields when a few of us used to organise bbqs fo sidecar minded people a couple of times a year. This had the effect of keeping enthusiasm levels high and in the alcohol induced chats there many old sidecars were remembered and in some cases have found there way back to the track, an example of this is the machine I am bringing to Winton this year which I purchased about 3 weeks ago.
All I can add is that the best way to promote our sport is to participate regardless of circumstances and try to make the changes from within. Staying away from meetings as some are planning to do apparently at this years Nationals is not the answer.
Alan Warner Sidecar 21 WA |
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Geoffpgrant
Level 3 Member
South Australia
204 Posts |
Posted - 24 Oct 2004 : 12:13:03 PM
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I have said it before in other forums and I will repeat it again. I don't think Post Classic is too expensive if the rules are abided by. The expense is in the monsters that are NOT within the spirit of historic racing and this puts others off. If all outfits complied with the spirit of historic racing then we would all become competitive again. Like yourselves, John and Allen, I pride myself in having equipment that was actually available prior to 1972 (I am even using the early model cases!!) and as such I am proud of being competitive with others who are doing the same. I do not try and target those who 'stretch' the rules.
To get more competitors in, we could embark upon a campaign of eradicating the monsters. This eradication can be done by way of offering a separate class for those who use modern engine parts, frames and brakes. I have talked to a number of people who said that they used to race but did not see the point in spending lots of money when we all know who is going to win.
As a rider I am not into the Classics because race what I grew up with but as a spectator I certainly agree with you that they are spectacular to watch and doubly so if there is a full field of them fighting for track space. Even though I don't see much of them it is fun watching their antics from the 'best seat in the house' as I come up on them at various times.
All that said, let me compliment you on the Bike Register (David) and site for 'newbies' (John). I think these are excellent and would certainly have been of assistance when I was starting out.
Keep up the good work.
Geoff
Sidecar #30 |
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john
Forum Moderator
Victoria
3130 Posts |
Posted - 24 Oct 2004 : 5:21:01 PM
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So it seems as if we had a Post Classic "Junior" class of 836cc and an Unlimited class of the existing 1300cc we may remove all reasons to not go racing.
I am aware the old Junior was 650cc, but we have been promoting that for the last 3 years and had not one machine turn up. So on my reckoning thats bad luck for them if they do. Who would support an 836cc capacity limit class? |
John Daley Sidecar #68
' there are those who do, those who dont do and those who undo. We must lampoon the latter." |
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acotrel
Advanced Member
Victoria
2147 Posts |
Posted - 24 Oct 2004 : 6:36:57 PM
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An 836 class would really suit my Norton. The only problem is that the class never existed back in the old days. Perhaps it could be publicised as a 750 class with a 100cc capacity allowance for oversize motors?
The class could include both Periods 3 and 4 machines up to 850cc. We could get interesting grids of early pommy machines and 830 Hondas, as well as midsixties bikes like mine.
An 830 Honda is still a good weapon compared with 826 Nortons and 750 Triumphs/BSAs, but at least the class would be fairer, and more competitive. |
Is your machine authentic or merely eligible? |
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acotrel
Advanced Member
Victoria
2147 Posts |
Posted - 24 Oct 2004 : 6:41:36 PM
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| I know I should keep my head down, but I suggest we should have a closer look at 'Heritage BEARS' as a historic class. It caters for bikes pre 79, which is our period 5. Perhaps we need to rationalise these two classes somehow? There is cetainly potential for crossentry. |
Is your machine authentic or merely eligible? |
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acotrel
Advanced Member
Victoria
2147 Posts |
Posted - 24 Oct 2004 : 6:44:54 PM
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| John, Are you suggesting the 836/850 class for solos? |
Is your machine authentic or merely eligible? |
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john
Forum Moderator
Victoria
3130 Posts |
Posted - 25 Oct 2004 : 08:17:28 AM
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Al, please dont send me up we are in the sidecar section.
Also I have got to the stage where I dont care whether a class existed in the past, nothing else seems to comply so why all of a sudden should sidecars be the first to line up with the history books.
I have already acknowledged that the Junior calss was 650. The proposal is aimed solely at getting sidecar machines on the track.
As for BEARS they dont have sidecars. |
John Daley Sidecar #68
' there are those who do, those who dont do and those who undo. We must lampoon the latter." |
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acotrel
Advanced Member
Victoria
2147 Posts |
Posted - 25 Oct 2004 : 6:56:16 PM
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Sorry John, I clicked on the link on the front page and ot took me to the botton of this topic. It was only later that I looked at the top, and saw it was about sidecars.
As far as the matter of classes existing in the past is concerned. I agree that we should adapt the classes to suit what we want to do NOW. I'm still uncomfortable about building bikes that never existed, however. |
Is your machine authentic or merely eligible? |
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acotrel
Advanced Member
Victoria
2147 Posts |
Posted - 25 Oct 2004 : 6:58:12 PM
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| I suggest someone should try to get Dennis Skinner's Laverda back into Victoria, and up and running. Do you know who's got it? |
Is your machine authentic or merely eligible? |
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john
Forum Moderator
Victoria
3130 Posts |
Posted - 26 Oct 2004 : 08:05:21 AM
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| i think your idea would take most of the machines off the circuit so I dont think we even need to talk about that one. As for the Laverda I dont know where it is. |
John Daley Sidecar #68
' there are those who do, those who dont do and those who undo. We must lampoon the latter." |
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