SIDEWINDER MECCANICA BMW K-series

Let's talk RetroRides

We developed a completely revised version of the known RetroRides system.
The original designed system has technical flaws in it and although the kit has an awesome look on your bike, 99% of the re-productions is just a plain piece of aluminium. Anyone with acces to cnc machining could re-produce the system because drawings are availble everywhere, they are copied including flaws.... hundreds of them.... we think this is a pitty for such a great idea.

Why did we develop a new kit? 
We, annually, sell hundreds of RetroRides shock absorbers, so many people are interested in creating an awesome look on their bike, the market is there.

Why did we develop the new kit? because "the original" copies look awesome, but look crap at the same time. We designed a version with angle-machined edges and we also did the backside (all backsides look ugly) We made see through windows to create a much better and "technical racy" look, also with angled edges. In the windows we designed reïnforcements. 
We have seen many many copies with the most ugly bolts and nuts available on the market. Our new system has stainless steel Allen bolts in the link-system sunk in the surface. In the back triangle plate, we made thread, so nice looking stainless steel sunk bolts and no nuts on the backside. These bolts can be tightened properly and are mounted with Loctite.

Why is our design techically better?
The simple answer is:  because we added spherical bearings. The original has slide bearings that only turn in 100% in 1 direction (radial). The movement of the system depends on 3 turning points and the positioning of the system can never be 100% lined up as the rear wheel moves up, it will always create stress. As with shock aborbers, the ability of the bearings must be radial as well as axial. The spherical bearings enables the system to move stressless in "3D motion".
The next problem is that if you tighten the bolts on your slide bearings, the system will seize... it will simply not turn and will have no movement. The weight of the bike will make it turn anyway, but this is not good, the system will contantly be under stress and the bronze bearings will be worn out pretty quick. We have even seen kits with plastic bushings, totally irresponsable.
We developed a shock absorber specificly for the RetroRides system. The top part, which is mounted to the front, has a spherical bearing, so no problem. The "bottom side" however has a fork, a clevis. If you tighten the bolt properly, then it will not turn. Worst case scenario is that it seizes and the fork can crack (imagine what will happen to you when the fork cracks while riding your bike)
So we revised all technical issues and solved them in a professional and responsable way.

The "creative market"
This product is made for the creative people who build their own Caferacer. The RetroRides-look creates an awesome look. It is a fairly simple product that gives you a huge look-change. Almost all re-created systems are aluminium colored which is beautifull but..... if you build a black-based bike, it could be nice to have a black anodised system mounted with a black shock. If you mount a gold upside down fork at the front, it could be great if you mount a gold system on your bike, or maybe a black system with gold accents...... gold, red, blue, orange, or even a very cool M-sport edition with the colors of BMW M.

This week, we have the system available with all color options. We aimed towards a lower price then the other "good" systems (900-950 euro), but the technical uprgrades, the bearings, the anodising, the extra cnc work, just kept pushing the price up. On the other hand, this is THE ONLY available system offered in the world that is technically correct, that has undoubtly the best looks, that has the only correct shock absorber and offers you the unique chance to match colors to your project!

So forget about RetroRides, forget about making the system yourself, forget about your neighbour that works in a metal company and is able to make this for you... it is all technically no good. We, as suspension engineers, have spent a lot of time evaluating and improving the system and the only conclusion can be:  choose for the SideWinder system.... the investment is worth it.

If you are a dealer, a parts reseller, please CONTACT us for a dealer application.