New kid on the block
Mick Payne has ridden more than a few combinations from a variety of countries and manufacturers, but here he gets quite excited about a new machine from the Far East…
I’ve been around sidecars for many years and remember when a very few motorcycle manufacturers offered complete outfits from new. It wasn’t always so; back in the day many, if not most, bike makers offered sidecars specifically for their own models. Triumph, BSA and many others marketed bespoke chairs for their models. My first outfit was a MZ fitted with a Dart sidecar from new; okay, the little chair was actually a Squire. Other Continental makes offered brand-new outfits and Ural and Jawa continue to do so today.
Until recently these were your only choices if you wanted a ‘turn-key’ machine, but that is all about to change. David Angel of F2 Motorcycles has struck a deal with Chinese maker Chang Jiang to import its complete outfits. Forget about the ‘Changs’ of old, these are modern products worthy of the Year of the Ox. I have yet to ride one but watch this space – David is currently running in number 0001 and seems very impressed.
This will be his personal bike but he has three others in his shop. His own machine is a Pekin Express, a military-style machine in satin Desert Sand, the others being the same model in similar Military Green and two Dynasty civilian-style machines in gloss grey or black. Of course, military is not a new concept for Chang Jiang. In 1950 the People’s Liberation Army Beijing
No 6 Works developed a military motorcycle based on the Zundapp KS500. The later bikes, by the newly titled Chang Jiang Company, were sidevalve clones of the Russian IMZ M-72 which eventually became OHV.
The modern model is generations away from those with its 650cc OHC vertical twin producing a revolutionary 54bhp at the rear wheel and a useful 45 ft-lbs of torque. This is backed up with four forward gears and reverse, how many times have you wished for that? A 4.4-gallon tank provides fuel for the Bosch EFI system while linked disc brakes ensure great stopping power.
The Pekin Express is shod with dual purpose tyres whereas the Dynasty is more road-oriented, although otherwise the outfits are similar. They are both fitted with reversing lights, a useful addition as no motorist or pedestrian is going to expect an outfit to be reversing towards them. Extra driving lights are standard on both models with the Pekin even sporting a 12-volt winch. A spare 18-inch wheel is carried on the back of the chair and a luggage rack sits on the nose.
The bike has sprung saddles, the rear removable to reveal a rack. Modern controls and instruments abound and, as a nod to off-road use, the Pekin has brush guards on all the lights. Both machines are also blessed with a parking brake, so no more rolling into the kerb or putting a wedge under one wheel. I’m really looking forward to a spin on one as it seems Chang Jiang has covered most of the issues raised when building an outfit. I know some will ask the question: “What? No leading links?” and I’ll keep an open mind on that until I ride one.
So how much? A fairly substantial £14,850 on the road, but this includes a 24-month warranty, 12 months’ road tax and no extra costs. Oh, and David Angel’s legendary PDI and backup is included. Enough said. Get in touch at f2motorcycles.ltd.uk or phone 01945 410165 between 2-5pm Tuesday to Saturday.