Hitchcocks Forum

G'day folks,
Having just acquired a Squire Vespa sidecar, I'm wondering just how much work is involved in a) renovating it, b) attaching it to my Bullet, and c) riding with it... I couldn't resist as the price was right but additionally I'm finding out that storage will also be an issue.

It's fibreglass and to be honest ain't in too bad nick, with a 4-bolt fixing point. I bought of an old geezer in his 80s who had a XJ1200 outfit in bright yellow in his garage.

So here it is, in its current state - have the screen and cover and brackets too.



Any advice/ comments/ derisory remarks always welcome!

i rode combo's throughout the '70's and '80's,great fun,but always just a tin bath or box or just the chassis.always fixed the chair on myself,but i see a 'specialist' who advertises charges £750 plus!!! i just used the trial and error method,but probably Beezabryan would be able to give you more detailed help? good luck anyway,let us know how you get on..i still have an old Canterbury tucked away..might have to dig it out..

A pic of the other side would be good, and underneath to show the chassis ... 4 bolt mount sounds very like scootler bracketry. ... very different from motorcycle with it's 4 point brackets, usually one on front down tube near head stock, another at bottom engine mount, one at top rail/ seat tube (under nose of seat and last but by no means least a joint near the swing arm pivot, a bit wooly about the last as I have never fitted a third wheel to anything so new it had a swinging arm rear end

Go for it. It will open up a whole new world for you, just think casually roll up to traffic lights without having to put your feet down and you can carry loads of stuff. I have a Electra X engine in a 1950's rigid frame with grafted on girder forks, a home built sidecar and have had so much fun on it this year from trips to the allotment to long rides to visit friends and they will all want a go.
Setting up is the main issue. As a guide front toe-in at 3/4" (straight edge along bike wheels and sidecar wheel - distance between straight edge at front 3/4" narrower than at the back, bike 1" out of vertical away from sidecar, front of sidecar 2" higher then back. There are a few good advice sites on the web about set up and driving. Take it easy at first and enjoy.

....re fittings there are often odd pieces on ebay that you can use to build up a set or a local agricultural engineer can make key bits for you.

Many thanks for your comments lads... I have just returned from a bit of camping around the Norfolk area so apologies for the late reply. So... the question I now have is, do I spend money on this (will need a larger wheel/arch, etc, brackets made up) or should I point this in the direction of the Vespa boys? It is a nice project, but as is generally the way of things that were a great idea at the time, the reality is the little spare time i have is a premium. Any of you lot want it?