Sporty side to British cafe racers

British cafe racer styled motorcycles are enjoying a revival, with Triumph, Royal Enfield and Norton all offering examples in their current model line-up.

Now Watsonian sidecars have teamed up with Norman Hyde, Triumph performance specialist and sidecar speed record holder*, to create a sporty three-wheeler.

Modern Hinckley-built Bonnevilles have proved a popular choice for sidecar customers across the world as the bike's smooth power delivery and torquey engine suit sidecar driving, while Watsonian's Grand Prix sidecars, which retain the traditional octagonal nose shape dating from the 1920's, complement the Bonneville's classic styling.

This sports outfit combines a Manx sidecar, which has a shorter chassis than other models in the GP range and is thus lighter and more compact, with an 865cc fuel-injected Bonneville equipped with a host of performance accessories from Norman Hyde. These include a Power Commander and bellmouth air intake, sport silencers, rearset footrests and M bars, providing a sporty riding position to match the bike's enhanced performance. Additional stopping power is delivered by an AP Lockheed front brake disc and calliper; a steering damper and up-rated Ikon shocks beef up suspension to handle the extra weight of the car and Hyde has also specified a Givi screen for touring comfort.

Prices for the Watsonian GP Manx sidecars similar to the one pictured start at £3495 and a full factory fitting service, with tuition for novice drivers, is also available. For more information on sidecars contact Watsonian-Squire on 01386 700907 (www.watsonian-squire.com) and for details of Norman Hyde accessories go to www.normanhyde.co.uk or call 01926 832345.

ENDS

* Norman Hyde captured the World Sidecar Land Speed Record in September 1972 on the Concorde runway at Fairford, Gloucestershire. Using a supercharged 850cc Triumph Trident powered, home built sidecar outfit (Road Runner 3) Norman averaged 161.8 mph (260.8kph) for the two way run over 1 kilometre.

TF Watson produced his first sidecar in 1912 and the company has been manufacturing sidecars in the Heart of England ever since. Following a merger with the dynamic young Squire company in 1984 Watsonian Squire became the Europe's biggest manufacturer of sidecars.