Hitchcocks Forum

I have a 1935 K model (976cc) which came from the factory with a Model 22 sidecar attached. The appears to be no provision for adjusting the lean out of the bike. The rear lower (to axle) is a fixed point and the top front mounting is the same, although it has an eccentric shaft seemingly allowing tow in adjustment. Then there is a bracing strut that goes between those 2 points. I cant believe there is no way of adjusting the lean angle but neither I nor other sidecar savy people i know can figure this out. I have some photos of the joints I can send to anyone who is willing and able to assist. Thanks David

David, I can't help with this specific problem but you could try the Message Board at RealClassic Magazine (as written,) where there is a very wide range of knowledge. And it's "toe in" not tow in by the way!
REgards, Mark

Thanks Mark

Before I got too hung up on lean in and or lean out I would look and see how the outfit sat as it is. If it is something like then I wouldn't be too bothered. The weight and position of the occupants can alter the attitude of the outfit significantly, toe in is far more important. To be fair my only experience is with a trials sidecar and when you are on a side slope or when your passenger has his backside brushing a road side hedge then lean out goes out of the window.

Thanks for the comment John. My experience with sidecars is on more modern machines. Since I first poted I read the piece in the 1938 Royal Enfield manual (by 'R,E,Ryder') Interestingly it says most riders prefer vertical or lean-in. It struck me as strange as people like the well known Phil Irving (Sliderule) always say you need lean out.
Logic says to me that the bike was sold as an out fit by the Enfield factory in 1935 and they would have set it up as a unit. (much like modern day Urals). Guess I will go with that and see how it works. Appreciate your response.

David, just a small point, unless the bike was collected from the Factory by the first Owner it would probably have been delivered by train (to the nearest station, normal practice at the time,) as separate pieces and set up by the Dealer so a lot depends on them! My small knowledge of setting up sidecars (on a friend's Panther) is the same as John's, toe in is more important than lean. Opinion also seems to be divided on whether the sidecar wheel should be in line with the rear wheel!
REgards, Mark

I would agree that toe-in is most important. ...... The Flash & a Box is set up with no lean-in or lean-out ie is vertical with 1/4" (if my memory is correct)toe in. When 'Er on t' Pillion is onboard the suspension sags slightly, she being no lardarse, giving a very slight lean out. When Box is loaded that lean out is counteracted. ...... With this setup we have ridden home and away (left & right sides of the road) with equal comfort except for some of those poxy Belgian traffic islands with their exaggerated adverse (to me) camber ......... my 1/4" or thereabouts was arrived at by experimentation following advice from an experienced charioteer. ..... the sidecar wheel leads by about 8" .... this was abitrary because the Flash was bought by the previous owner with a factory fitted BSA mother & child sidecar and the original top frame lugged fitting is now immovable & therefore impossible to adjust. ..... For what they are worth these are my ramblings on the subject

I can testify Bryan's expertise on his well used and very smart outfit! Re-reading the posts I think I remember reading something about the pre-war style of sidecar mount being in line with rear wheel but this changing to ahead of by the 50s, presumably for manoeuverability? Anyway, there is a book, I think called The Sidecar Book (sensibly!) by, I think, Geoff Brazendale which will tell you everything you need to know.
REgards, Mark

Thanks for the comments to all who have responded. Toe-in is easy as there is the excentric spindle on the top front mount which can adjust this.
The sidecar would be what what beezabryan calls a 'mother and child' model.. having a seat in the boot which would only have room for a child. In this case the child must have grown (as they do) because the owner cut a hole in the floor and added a box which appears to be one of those small tea chests you used to be able to buy tea in.