Douglas Dragonfly Sidecar

[cahallett]

Hi
I'm after a suitable sidecar for my Douglas Dragonfly.
I have no idea who originally made/supplied them to Douglas so any helpful advice/pointers in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Chris

[eddie]

Hi Chris,
              I don't think there was ever a recommendation of any specific model for the Dragonfly. I cant say I have seen any factory leaflets mentioning sidecars - however, several LDMCC club members have fitted sidecars to their Dragonflys - a couple were opened out to 475cc. Bert Pritchett was probably one of the first to fit a 'chair' to a standard 'Fly, but he modified the forks to make the trail more suited to sidecar work. The biggest problem with fitting a chair to the 'Fly is the manufacture of suitable attachment brackets as there are no lugs on the frame for this purpose.

  Regards,
                Eddie.

[cahallett]

Thanks Eddie,
Steib made some nice sidecars in the 1950's
Best Regards
Chris

[douglas1947]

Hi Chris,

indeed Steib made very nice models and there is a shop in Berlin making them new, also "lefties", but not very cheap.
i had several in my life, the lightest is model LS200, but model S250 may be of  better shape to fit the  Dragonfly "modern style".

I must agree Eddie, there are no specifications on the Fly to attach a sidecar and I´m a bit sceptical to do it.

Michael

[cahallett]

Hi Michael,
The S250 is perfect in shape and design for the Dragonfly.
I've seen the shop in Berlin, yes a little bit pricey so I keep looking (they also don't make the S250, only the 200, 350 & 500).

I am in no rush, it was just something I thought would be great for our motorcycle so I can take my two little girls out and about in it.

I can see it now ....

Cheers Chaps
Chris

[douglas1947]

Hi Chris,

I can also look around for a s250, but I think you would like a left side car. There is a very small chance to find one in Germany.
I bought a S501 (left side) in UK last year; want to fit it to a Panther M120. It is still a project, because trouble with the fittings stopped the finishing. But I got other bikes ready to go.

Michael

[cahallett]

That's very kind of you Michael.
Yes it will need to be a left side car.
I thought that the body tub and wheel could be switched to the other side and it would only be the frame/mounting that would need changing?
If that is the case then the company you mentioned in Berlin make the frames/mounts etc .....

Anyway, it is early days.

Thanks
Chris

P.S. The S501 lookS great, very Flash Gordon   

[douglas1947]

Chris,

yes, only frame and mudguard are different from right to left side fitted side car.

Michael

[douglas1947]

Chris,
I just remembered:
in the last "Sloper" (Panther owners club magazin) was an offer of a Steib -1300.-GBP; Mick 0116 2312 854.
May be it is still for sale?

Michael

[Vermont-Ian]

What about a Watsonian?  http://www.watsonian-squire.com/
Plenty attachment pieces at https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xwatsonian.TRS0&_nkw=watsonian&_sacat=0
Fitted OK on my Mk III until I passed my test in 1966.  The frame plate by the swinging arm had already been drilled for one of the attachments by a previous owner.  This probably contributed the cracked frame above that plate.

[cahallett]

Thanks Ian,
Its nice and well priced but I have my heart set on the Steib S250.
Hey I don't even have a motorcycle licence as yet (that's for this coming summer).
Thanks
Chris