Zeng Le is a businessman with a difference.

Unlike many other business people who are bored with their chosen profession, he relishes going to work every morning and is happy to mix business with pleasure.

With 500 yuan (US$61) in his pocket, the 30-year-old left his small hometown in Hunan Province for Beijing in 1995 in search of his own fortune.

After working in different places for three years, the young man got his first big break when he opened his own small business in 1999.

Despite his change from employee to boss, Zeng's passion for motorcycle sidecars became stronger as he came to realize that they were not only a way to make a living but a source of happiness.

"I used to do motorcycle repair and maintenance in my hometown Xiangtan, a small city in Hunan Province," he explained.

"But the business was not good with a lot of debts which were hard to collect. So I thought about leaving for big cities elsewhere."

The business was fairly good at the beginning. He even hired several apprentices.

Although his shop moved to different locations three times, Zeng gradually found himself becoming more popular among foreigners with sidecars in Beijing. This was partly down to his long experience with motorcycles. His English ability and bright attitude also played an important role.

"I got to know two Americans when I was still working in a repair factory," he recalled. "They later introduced me to a man in the Boeing company in Beijing. He was a sidecar enthusiast."

The seed of his future passion was sown and would grow quickly.

When he moved to his current place near the airport nearly two years ago, he shifted his attention mainly towards sidecar sales and repair. "When I entered the business more than 10 years ago, I did not realize the true value of the vehicle and never expected to see it would mean so much more to people than a form of transportation," said Zeng.

The object of his obsession is the Changjiang 750, a rugged, old-looking sidecar.

With a history of over 60 years, the origin of the sidecar can be traced back to pre-World War II Germany.

The original Changjiang 750 was based on BMW's R-71 (1938-1941), which was sold, lent or leased by BMW to the former Soviet Union for the Red Army.

The Russians toughened it up and put it into production as the Ural. In 1957, China acquired a factory as a form of aid from the former Soviet Union. Mass production began in China and continues until today with several brands being produced in different factories.

Soon it was widely used by the army, police and law departments of various levels across the country.

Interestingly the most basic model remains the bestseller even today, despite many improvements in the engine and appearance to bring new models up to date.

"Although it is technically out-dated and looks ugly, the Changjiang 750 is tough and cheap. Many people, including many foreigners, like to ride such an antique-like sidecar," Zeng explained.

There are a few factories still making such sidecars in limited numbers today. The displayed new sidecars in Zeng's shop are priced according to their horsepower from 18,000 yuan (US$2,195) to 22,000 yuan (US$2,683), including charges for a one-stop registration service.

Swedes and Americans are the biggest foreign buyers. Many even arrange shipment back home after purchase.

Zeng has spent more than 20,000 yuan (US$2,493) to turn his own sidecar into a personal plaything. He spent 4,000 yuan (US$488) having the sidecar painted and electroplated.

He even bought a piece of hide from the United States to make his own saddles.

In Beijing, there are about 2,000 sidecars, among which around 300 are driven by foreigners. Those who often join Zeng's road rides are mostly his friends or people who bought a sidecar from his shop. Usually, from April to August every year, the club organizes outings to different scenic spots around Beijing over weekends.

"We had more than 20 sidecars out once. It was a spectacular view on the road but it also made us quite tired as some broke down from time to time," he recalled. " That is the real pleasure you can get from a sidecar."

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