Greetings! I'm new to the group (thank you John Golarz for the introduction) and fairly new to BSA WD M20 ownership. I have an awesome 1940 bike, am located in the US, and would like to fit it with an affordable period-correct sidecar.

There are many manufacturers that make reproductions. Does anyone have experience related to this? Right side vs. left side? Problems with mounting to the right side? Style of sidecar? Preferable US suppliers?

Any wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

email (option): Jbrooks@erdman.com

there are a couple of publications available on military motorcycles, wd motorcycles etc worth perusing, best bet is something similar to the swallow body,have a look through the photos section, a question would be do you have the frame with the side car lugs attached or the frame which will require the special clamps and fittings?

Thanks Jon. My frame does not have any mounts, so I will need to fab some mounts or find a kit that works.

Jeff the only "official" side car that was fitted to WD M20's Was the Swallow Model 8. These bikes were produced in relatively small numbers (the RAF seemed to like some outfits). They came specially prepared with side car lugs (for fitting to the left side only) and BSA also used the Swallow made chassis. The same side car was also fitted to some Norton 16H's (mostly for the RAF) but Norton used their own chassis. All 16H's came with side car lugs as standard.
Just post war the 'Variable Pitch Propeller Co' made a lightweight ally copy of the Swallow Model 8, called a VP Viper. I once had one of these VP's on my 16H.
These pictures as an indication of what might look right.
The chances of 'NOT' finding a Model 8 are about 98% The chances of 'NOT' finding a VP are about 75%. Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Ron Pier

Jeff the only "official" side car that was fitted to WD M20's Was the Swallow Model 8. These bikes were produced in relatively small numbers (the RAF seemed to like some outfits). They came specially prepared with side car lugs (for fitting to the left side only) and BSA also used the Swallow made chassis. The same side car was also fitted to some Norton 16H's (mostly for the RAF) but Norton used their own chassis. All 16H's came with side car lugs as standard.
Just post war the 'Variable Pitch Propeller Co' made a lightweight ally copy of the Swallow Model 8, called a VP Viper. I once had one of these VP's on my 16H.
These pictures as an indication of what might look right.
The chances of 'NOT' finding a Model 8 are about 98% The chances of 'NOT' finding a VP are about 75%. Ron

email (option): jeff.robbins75@gmail.com

Andy Tiernan always has some sidecars for sale. I'm sure he can assist with shipments to the US.

Regards,
Sven

email (option): snvosselman@gmail.com