Royal Enfield vintage sports sidecar mystery

[albert]

hello,
after 18 years of searching,  I have had the luck to purchase a genuine 1927 Aluminium sports sidecar for my Royal Enfield 182 sports  V-twin, dismantled, box job , for restoration.
In comparison to a similar 1927 RE -sidecar frame for the same bike, this one has an enlarged ground clearance of approx. 4 inches!!! Therefore, the connecting tubes have different lengths and the leaf springs of the sidecar body have been fixed under the sidecar frame to attach the body in a lower position in relation to the higher chassis.The rear cast iron lug for the attachment taper bolt is different.
Is there another sidecar with the same specification? Or do you know ,why Royal Enfield offered this modified sidecar frame? I couldn`t find any information in the sales catalogues.
Yours sincerely
Albert

[cardan]

Sorry that I can't add anything specific, but out here in Australia we very often receive high ground clearance versions of the "home" product. For example, in the early 1920s the 17C Norton was the "colonial" version of the well-known 16H 490cc SV. The two models are very similar but the 17C has 2" more clearance under the crank case than the 16H (6" compared with 4").

Maybe your chassis is just a high clearance version of the usual chassis. Sporting trials were very popular in the 1920s, and often took in some poorer roads where high clearance would be an advantage - did RE offer the chassis for this type of event? A good contact would be the Royal Enfield marque specialist at the VMCC.

Cheers

Leon

[albert]

Hello,
I have answered my question myself by watching the 1100 works photos of the CD :Royal Enfield  "The Glory Years".
In 1928 a British -Swedish Expedition from London to Capetown with 2 Royal Enfield 976ccm V-Twins used this type with enlarged ground clearance sidecar chassis.
The front mounting cast iron lugs for the leaf springs were soldered in the works  downwards and the rear springs were mounted under the frame to lower the body on the raised chassis. I have another original (lower) 1927 sidecar  frame and both frame numbers start with 27xxx.
After restoring I will show some photos.
Refer to the spare parts list Royal Enfield offered a "Colonial" -Frame, which I suggest, has got the enlarged ground clearance.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely
Albert

[albert]

Hello,
I have assembled the puzzle and the sidecar body is ready for remanufacture by my coachbilder.
I have nearly fullfilled my  dream: a 1927 model 182 sports with sports sidecar.....how it left the factory in 1927!
Please, note aluminium footboards and foot brake pedal for front brake on  sidecar model.!!!
Regards
Albert

[R]

That is looking magnificent. !
Look forward to seeing it all painted up and on the road.

[murdo]

Looking good there Albert.