24-05-12, 02:25 PM
Well it's really nice to see some interest in Sidecars .. almost made my day 8) The outfit concerned is a Merlin .. made by a Father & Son set up in a Durham garage.
Just for more interest .. I enclose a shot of another Merlin Rig .. it's a mate of mine 'Sidecar Keith' from Leeds.
Note the wheelchair hanging under the back end .. his wife Anne has MS and is paralysed from the chest down.
Now look at the chair again .. the large black 'dot' near the screen is a 'vertical tube' that takes a built in electric Crane. He lifts her up and down .. in and out of the rig/wheelchair .. all strapped up in a climbing harness. :eek
The best bit ... they do Not have a car .. he can't drive! They do everything on the outfit, shopping, ride outs, etc. They came with me to the Manx GP in 2010 .. and did several laps of the mountain course. Quite impressive.
Unfortunately .. Merlin do not enjoy a very good reputation in the 'Sidecar World' their Plastic Parts and Paintwork do look lovely, however the engineering and fabrication work under it often gives cause for some very serious concern (or so I'm told ;o) Shame really .. or I'd have had one myself.
Stay Safe Guys
Polar Bear.