New rules on age of sidecar frames

[tufty113]

I'm sure the ruling with bodywork was amended once the lcr came out in 2007. I'm still interested to know who has come out with the chassis age ruling. I understand it with the solos but the sidecars are bespoke made chassis and not a mass produced like a solo chassis is.

[mrequipe]

Like a lot of other rules were changed in 2007 Matt to suit someones chassis behind closed doors !!!!!!

[ianw]

If my memory serves me right Matt, it was well before 2007 that a one piece fairing made its debut on an F2.
Roger Dixon "dicko" fitted one to his 350 Yam F2 in 1994, I think I have the year right. He then sold the bike on to Bill Currie, I also think this was the bike that Bill made his return to sidecar racing on?

[steve-e]

I think it was before then, because I was still doing a bit of F2 when it was around.

[ianw]

Off topic! Steve, was that when you were on with Joe Martin?

[steve-e]

It was, which was 92.
Anyway yes back to bike ages. I can see it with solos although not really agree with the reasons for it. It's not even being stated as safety, just to look more professional.. Surely if they'd said it was for safety reasons rather than getting sheds off the grid there would be some accord.
Can't see how they're going to do it with sidecars, some of the 10 year old ones are newer than the three year old ones by the time they've had three different engine models in, been in a tyre wall front first and generally modified til they almost work like real vehicles

[ianw]

I can see why a chassis builder would put a 7 year life span on the chassis with the worry of getting sued if a frame fracture caused injury in an incident. I also suppose different countries have different laws on liabillity in an incident which could be a worry.
I'm still asking, this decision, if it's true, is taken with the IOM in mind?
Taking up another point of yours steve where you say "getting shed's off the grid". In this day & age of readilly available cans of paint spray, if it has to come to that, that some outfit owners can still turn out sheds with fairings held together with duct tape & filler.
You can see them in amongst some of the great pics that are posted on here putting the well turned out outfits to shame. Off topic again sorry

[RARING TO GO]

May be the organisers should implement a policy of "If the machine looks like it was sprayed with a watering can and Stevie Wonder picked the colour scheme, don't bother turning up."

[custardchucker]

Who can we speak to in order to get a decision on this? Will it be the ACU or the TT boys, someone like Gary Thompson?? Is it something the FSRA would get involved with?

I need to replace an engine and I can't afford to buy one now only for someone to turn round in a few months time and tell me it's out of date!!

I could do with getting one before S100 so haven't got the time or the money to upgrade to more modern spec motors at this moment in time.

[Welsh Daph]

Right then I have just spoken to Rowena in the ACU office,and here is her reply: There have been no discussions by the ACU to alter any rules or regulations for 2017, there has been no mention whatsoever of sidecar ages.

I must add, that I was only enquiring about the F2's

[little chud]

not sure if they will reply to a meer pleb like me but I've emailed Paul Phillips and Gary Thompson to ask for clarification. I guess they may need to go though other people but if/when they reply I will post it on here.

cheers.
john .

[petercaughlin]

Surely this is un-enforceable,on the one hand professional chassis builders will have to prove age etc,but what of Joe Soap going into the shed and building a chassis to regs,it will be brand new but who knows how good/safe the product will be

[oldbelly]

What about 600 engines in the future ?

[ianw]

Hi Geoff, have a look under the topic "Honda 600" in the Sidecar Paddock.

[rugbyfan]

Is this rule going to be announced 6 weeks before TT2017 by the faceless Race Management Commitee.
The vast majority of chassis that suffered cracks this year were swiss fondues, so it seems that competitors with suitable i.e. tubular, bronze welded are going to suffer for no reason.