Take a look at F2 Ural motorcycles web page. David Angel liked the conversion so much he's put the pictures on the site. Alternatively join us on the sidecars UK Yahoo group or drop me a mail and I'll send pictures. I don't have my own web page, but might eventually work out how to upload pictures onto here!

The Ural chair is only 10 kg heavier than the likes of a Velorex and way more practical. Take the seat out and it is just a huge metal pannier. 10 inch wheels and fibreglass just don't work for me, you can't drill a hole when you need space for a tool box, jerry can or clip to hold the dogs harness.

This is a Hinkley 790, so something like 60 hp at the sprocket. It tops out at about 75 mph (lack of streamlining) and cruises nicely at 60. Not as fast as the BMW R1100R outfit I ran before (80 hp I've seen 100 mph on the GPS) but a lot more practical (it doesn't have FI failures for starters). Compared to a 40 HP Ural it's quick. I wouldn't object to a few more HP but wouldn't trade for fuel economy/range and the ability to carry stuff. The only thing I'd swap if for is one of the new FI Bonnevilles once they've been proven as reliable.

I never had any hassle on farm type tracks. The lowest point is the sump on the bike, everything else is about 6 inches clear. The best bet is therefore to plonk the bike in the right hand track and leave the chair to it's own devices. You end up at some odd angles but that's normal for three wheels, the chair just tends to hop over anything it meets. The biggest hassle is very deep narrow ruts especially in the wet. For traction it's better to stand on the right peg. If this puts your foot below the level of the rut you can be in trouble as unlike a solo you don't have the opportunity to ride on the crown and pushing back to pick a different line can be a pain! Proper off road outfits are much shorter in the "nose" to stop this grounding, but hopefully I'll never find a downhill that steep where I go. Still, at least i've got the space for the showel!

Andy