EML, I would have thought that Russel wouldn't have been riding the Jap in 82 unless it was in the ARAB dirt track frame. Russel first raced at Ballarto Rd Frankston in 74 when we both turned 16 and we borrowed his dad's (Ron's) junior sidecar that was running a T100 500cc Triumph motor while Ron ran the 850 norton. The Jap was kept from 72 onwards in the dirt track frame. Russel's older brother Daryl was in Europe campaigning a norton while his other brother Neil sometimes swung for his Dad if Ivor Awarty wasn't available. Russel went on to use the CCMs for Juniors and the Wessies for Seniors and I ventured into speedway solos and sidecars. When Ron took very ill in 1992 I bought out all his stuff, CCM engines, the Jap dirt tracker and the Lindsay Urquart designed centre hub steering road racer with a CB750 on which Ron broke his back at the Lavington Air base International Road Rce meeting. It is pretty easy to see the JAP is "big" as it has about a one inch steel spacer under the barrel (looks pretty agricultural) to extend the stroke, which means in the hagon the rocker cover has paper thin clearance to the rear tank mount. Both sidecar frames went to the boys who ran Beaudesert Motorcycles in 1993 when I got transferred to Mount Isa. Their partnership split and I am now unsure where they ended up. All the Bergmiers were in the earthmoving/roadbuilding game and I thought that some of their own handy work was a bit rough. When they used Frank Musset and other engine builders, that is when they really were on song. Nowing the Bergies for 40 years I know that they would push any rule in the book if the could, but with every championship they won, when the bikes were pulled down they were always legal. I would not like my previous post to be interpretted in any way. They are a rough, tough set of country boys but fair, but also never adverse to a bit of gamesmanship. Do you know of many notable sidecar boys who aren't? Russel and I raced VMX solos in Vic in 92 and 93 and keep in contact with him every now and then. If the chance comes along I'm keen to acquire a sidecar and Russel is happy to come out for a ride or 2 each year, I eckon that be great.
Rosco 86.
