Griffith Park Sidecar Rally

(Page 2 of 2)

July/August 2008
Story and photos by Joe Berk 
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Modern and older sidecar-equipped Harleys also put in an appearance, including an awesome 1979 Electra Glide Classic (in the original two-tone tan) and a drop-dead-gorgeous, candy-apple red flathead Harley.

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Meticulously restored military rigs, including an awesome World War II 750cc boxer-twin Zundapp, added to the event’s variety. The rally attracted many older civilian BMWs, equipped with Steib, Ural, Dneper and other sidecars.

Mr. Sidecar

The custom sidecar rigs were incredible, and many of them came from Doug Bingham, who’s known as "Mr. Sidecar" in the sidecar community. A self-proclaimed wild man in his youth (he went to the same reform school as Bud Ekins), he got into competitive sidecar racing back in the 1960s as a way to ride on a suspended license! Success on the track led to forming Side Strider Inc. in 1969 (www.sidestrider.com), and almost 40 years later he’s still importing sidecars, building sidecar rigs and providing sidecar services for bicycle races, marathons and the movie industry. If you’ve seen the great sidecar chase scene in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, you’ve seen his work. Doug was responsible for the first Griffith Park gathering 36 years ago, and he’s been running it ever since.

So, what is it about sidecars that makes them so much fun? Doug calls them "the world’s best kept secret," and figures riders just need to get familiar with them to want one. Throw in rising fuel costs and a sidecar rig’s ability to haul the family groceries, and Doug figures they’re a natural for a new generation.

Be sure to attend the 37th Griffith Sidecar Rally Oct. 19, 2008, to see just what we mean! MC

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