UK Monster Owners Club Forum » .: General :. » Random Chat » So...my Grandad liked to ride bikes and build things.

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Old 12-11-2009, 09:41 PM   #1
StuartJames
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So...my Grandad liked to ride bikes and build things.

My grandad loved his Ariel Square Four, my grandma, my mum, her two sisters and their two dogs. Maybe not in that order.

During WWII he was in the Royal Signals and learnt his trade fixing things the soldiers broke. He would build train engines, cars, motorbikes, tanks, house extensions, anything he needed he made it.

So one summer he decided to take the family and the dogs down to Cornwall. But he wanted to go on his bike, and so true A-Team style he built a sidecar in the dining room of his house.

When it was built, it was so big he had to take the doors off the hinges to get it out of the house....details details. My grandma was just happy to be going on holiday. The sidecar had two car seats, the roof opened so they could stand up, my grandma in the front, mums two sisters in the back with the dogs, and my mum on the back of the bike.

Well, here's some photos of his bike, the sidecar and my mum on her first bike

Grandad on his Ariel Square Four


The sidecar


The world first motor(bike)home


Mum on her first bike


Now I know where I get it from

Last edited by StuartJames; 13-11-2009 at 11:37 PM..
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Old 12-11-2009, 09:56 PM   #2
chris yeatman
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good to see the old pic's of family on bikes
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Old 12-11-2009, 09:57 PM   #3
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thats great, the sidecars like a mpv!
Superb pics of them, shame there wasn't one of your grandad when he realised he couldn't get it out of the house
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Old 12-11-2009, 10:06 PM   #4
Albie
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Fantastic pics. My grandad was in the engineers in Brompton Gillingham and my great grandad and great uncle I believe.
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Old 13-11-2009, 01:54 AM   #5
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Nice pics Stuart.
My grandad had an Ariel Red Hunter outfit and used it for work, holiday's, etc.
There were loads of outfits around in those days, most working class folk couldn't afford a car.

G ; )
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Old 13-11-2009, 02:40 AM   #6
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thats a lovely story...
love the sidecar being built in house .. cool.. lol

This is my Grandfather who can't wait to see the Duke has told his friends and up the road ..
and down club.

Has pics of me and my bikes.. we also both like fishing.. I must go down on the bike and see him soon...

This is him on his new Matchless I have the original bill of sale for the bike.
It cost him over £300..

He brought my Nan some lovely leathers as well.. only the best.. really lovely ones.
I think she also had a white set which was expensive.

The sad thing was the Matchless was given to my uncle who then left it in the garden to rot away..it broke my grandads heart..

I wish I could have ridden it... or owned it... I tried to kick one over a few years back .. there's a nak!! and they don't half kick back or throw you off!! lol

I did say about the bike some years back as was still in uncles back garden..
Sadly my uncle then died and I don't know what happened to the bike.

But he is pleased his Grand daughter likes bikes...
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Old 13-11-2009, 05:59 AM   #7
Capo
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It was the £450 mini that killed off sidecars
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Old 13-11-2009, 09:05 AM   #8
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Yes totally right Capo .. the car became affordable... was there not another small car as well that contributed to this??

I must say every time I see a sidecar I just think of Olive and "On the Buses" and it makes me chuckle!!..

(that and Blakey and his flashers mac lol).
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Old 13-11-2009, 11:24 AM   #9
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Great pics...ahh, the good ole days...
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Old 13-11-2009, 01:12 PM   #10
Scott1
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Great pics and story,

I've got a baby due in April and I can't drive a car....yet, I keep telling my girlfriend that I'll get a sidecar for her and the baby instead, I'm going to show her this when I get in.

Have Ducati ever made a sidecar I wonder, wouldn't be cheap would it.
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Old 13-11-2009, 01:31 PM   #11
He11cat
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Did you want any tea tonight... cause I don't think your GF will like you for that!! lol...

That so makes for an Olive moment!! ... im sure she was pregnant in labour and they wedged her in the sidecar!!! lol.... a you tube moment for sure.
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Old 13-11-2009, 02:07 PM   #12
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My dad still has a 1939 ariel sq4 in his garage has not ridden it for a few years (he is 72 now) bit its a stunning bike.
i will show him your pics later.
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Old 13-11-2009, 03:27 PM   #13
Pedro
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Biking must be in the blood you know...

My Grandad had a Brough Superior SS100 - jeez I wish he'd kep that...

My Dad has a few bikes.....
1946 AJS 350
1947 AJS 500
1957 Matchless 500
1959 AJS 600
1963 BSA 350
1968 BSA Bantem
1978 Triumph Bonnie

All but one are runners, three are prize winning restorations all done by him, even paint and wheel building.

Oh, and he's just turned 80 years old...!
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