Sidecar Tug M20

In September 2011, I bought a 1946 BSA M20 (rigid frame with girder forks), which came with a 22/47 sidecar. 

The bike and sidecar had been together for over 50 years, and there were a couple of black and white photos showing the outfit in the 1950s.

At some point, the sidecar body had been modified so that a hinged, rigid roof could be attached. This was a sensible modification when the bike was being used as frontline, everyday transport but it does spoil the traditional lines of the sidecar.

The plan was to undo this modification and return the sidecar to its original condition. 

The M20 was recommissioned and passed its MoT test on 29th Dec 2011. The picture below shows it at the test station.

Soon after the gearbox and clutch were removed from the frame and dismantled for refurbishment. All clutch plates need to be replaced as they are below the required minimum thickness. (The clutch was beginning to slip, under load, for this and other reasons).

The gearbox is in good condition, but parts of the kickstart mechanism need to be replaced.

By the end of February 2012 all this work had been completed and the bike taken out for a few more test runs around the local Northumbrian lanes. These highlighted a few more minor things to be sorted - the head gasket needed renewal, the headlamp dimmed a little at low engine revs and so on. Nothing major, just basic maintenance. 

The bike was very pleasant to ride and noticeably different to its 1947 B31 stablemate, perhaps because of its larger capacity engine and girder forks. Plonking along at 30 mph, the bike seemed made for these tiny, winding byways.

As the year progressed, the hot starting became a problem, the cause being a tired magneto. This was rebuilt and normal starting returned.

A wet week at the 2012 Manx GP highlighted shortcomings with the HT lead and its terminals so all were replaced. Finally it was time to start on the sidecar.

On the Isle of Man, south of Peel.