1981 sidecar ruling

[Hank41]

Enjoying a bit on the side as i do when the chance of a genuine Harley Chair came my way i grabbed it & the next day it was grafted to my 83 FLH only to find out later that a right hand fitting sidecar is illegal in the uk for bikes after 1981. Help, is there a loophole or do i have a chair for sale?

[1200shovel]

After consulting with the great god google, I cannot see any way around it.
One way would be to buy a older bike and put the chair on that.

What sort of money is a chair these days?

[Hank41]

Cost of Chair Big Penies £1300 much egg on face i think the guy selling new.

[BaZa ®]

What about these Russian outfits Urals are they on the left side? Can't say I have really noticed.

Here is the UK dealer site and they show the chairs on the EU right hand side????

UralMoto (UK) Ltd.


Just found this:

There are moves to over turn the 1981 ruling, and if this happens then I guess from the date it is overturned any bike will be able to have the sidecar on either side. Assuming the law is over turned, the situation regarding bikes registered after 1981 but before the date this law is over turned is still unclear.

So why not register it in France and ride it over here like all the lorries that do the same to save on taxes.

I don't know there are some stupid laws around!

Looks like you had better store it and wait.

[Hank41]

Thanks Baza i was hoping i could get it through on the OEM as only harley make chairs for there own bikes!

[1200shovel]

So, you can't have a LHD outfit but you can have LHD cars, lorries etc?
Discrimination or what?

[BaZa ®]

Originally Posted by 1200shovel

So, you can't have a LHD outfit but you can have LHD cars, lorries etc?
Discrimination or what?

Bloody good point....Lets get on to MAG and petition the government.

[Buellibob]

Bit of a bummer that.

Have you tried registering with these people they might be able to help or advise?


http://www.sidecars.org.uk/

[Kernow]

Seem to think that this came up a while ago and it all revolved around Spanish Law which wouldn't allow British sidecars 'cos they were on the wrong side!. EU came out and said that if it was legal in any EU country, it was legal in all of them. I believe that MAG were involved in this so may be worth while contacting them!
Cheers.

[SX 150]

There is a way,- but it's a pretty grey area of law...........
..........Buy a pre 1981 number plate, & re-register your bike ,- I know of people who have done this to successfully get around other legislation.
...It's probably not strictly legal but the law is so complex the police/CPS will have a great deal of difficulty in pursuing the the matter never mind taking action.