SidecarJohn

Sidecars On Line Issue 63
The February 2023 issue of Sidecars On Line is available to download, now with a direct link. It is now also possible to view and download all previous issues.
In this issue;
Editor –Difficulties and time constraints have affected production of the magazine
Tribute to Sidecar Star Audrey Stanger - A well respected member of the South Yorkshire Sidecar Club has died at the age of 87
Oscar's Odyssey - New Year Blues - Our guest scribe reports on a different start to 2023
AN Outsider View of Sidecars - Interesting observations on the world sidecar market
The Tuners - Joe Potts - Insights into a man, who helped the siccess of the Norton works race bikes in the 1950s
What a Waze to Go ? - An update on personal experiences with GPS vavigation
What MAG does for Us - 28 - Anotherr year but the fight for UK riders' rights continues.
So, What Really Started it All ? - Looking at those formative years with a bicycle, or two.

National Motorcycle Museum
A BBC report (March 2023) regarding the UK's premier display of British motorcycles;
The boss of the National Motorcycle Museum has spoken of the heartbreak of selling off some of the collection to stay afloat after the pandemic. The site in Solihull hosts the largest collection of British motorcycles in the world and costs nearly £1m a year to run. Its income dried up during the pandemic as it closed for more than a year.
Museum Director James Hewing said he feared for its future after missing out on coronavirus recovering funding. We had to sell nearly £3m worth of bikes just to keep going and come out of Covid-19 on the other side,"
"We could afford to do that and not affect the collection too much, however that is the last thing that any museum ever wants to do - it was absolutely heart-breaking. It's partly because we received no help."
Mr Hewing said the museum was "overlooked" for a £750,000 grant from the culture recovery fund and had subsequently had to cut staff. "It's heart-breaking not to be considered as culturally significant. I think it's very important that people realise what can be lost if things don't improve,"
The museum opened in 1984 and was the brainchild of William Roy Richards. Despite his death in 2008, his family have continued his legacy. The attraction's display features a collection of motorbikes from more than 170 British manufacturers.

1908 Harley sells for $935,000 (£820,000)
A rare 1908 Harley-Davidson has become the most expensive motorcycle ever sold at auction.The Strap Tank Harley-Davidson was sold for US$935,000 after auction fees at a Mecum Auction in Las Vegas.
The early Harley was named a Strap Tank because its oil and fuel tanks are attached to the frame with nickel straps. The bike is believed to be one of only 12 such models in the world.

Chaostours - Sidecar Couple's New Venture

Kerstin and Kevin Holford, our German based friends' spent three and a half years on world trip through Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and South America. Problems prevented carrying on into Central America, North America, and Africa, but the whole exercise still proved to be an epic, life changing experience.
On their return the pair have embarked on a business providing mobile catering based upon the culinary experiences gained whilst in many lands. The added ingredient is that the venture incorporates their love of motorcycles and sidecars.
We wish them well.
http://www.kk-chaostours.com