We don't know from motorcycles

March 5, 2010 1:19 PM

Asking for my husband: I’m working on a book cover that involves a motorcycle with sidecar. The book is set in 1930’s England. Does anyone know what model/make would have been common to that era, preferably something common to England of the time?
posted by Wavelet to Travel & Transportation (11 answers total)

Best answer: What about a triumph?
posted by TheBones at 1:32 PM on March 5, 2010 [1 favorite]

This book (reviewed here) might be of some help.
posted by Chairboy at 1:32 PM on March 5, 2010

A.J.S. made sidecars. Here's a picture of a BSA with a sidecar from 1930. A 1930 Sunbeam with a sidecar.
Hope that helps.
posted by Floydd at 1:33 PM on March 5, 2010

Royal Enfield is probably a good bet.
posted by electroboy at 1:34 PM on March 5, 2010

A lot of options here, but T. E. Lawrence (of Arabia) died on a Brough Superior in 1935; one with an aftermarket sidecar is for sale here, with pictures.
posted by TedW at 1:34 PM on March 5, 2010

And here's the book.
posted by Chairboy at 1:35 PM on March 5, 2010

Best answer: Triumphs, BSAs, Vincents and, to a lesser extent, Ariels would all have been common on English roads before WW2.
posted by workerant at 1:35 PM on March 5, 2010

Best answer: I recommend a triumph or a vincent.

(qualifications: I own and repair Russian and German vintage sidecar bikes)
posted by driftingfocus at 1:37 PM on March 5, 2010

>I own and repair Russian and German vintage sidecar bike

Then you, sir, by my dictionary, are awesome in any era.
posted by SNACKeR at 1:41 PM on March 5, 2010

@SNACKeR: Try "miss". ;) Photos as evidence: Me on our current Russian bike and the bike itself.
posted by driftingfocus at 2:10 PM on March 5, 2010 [1 favorite]

Best answer: One other thing; The National Motorcycle Museum (UK) could be a good resource.
posted by TedW at 2:56 PM on March 5, 2010