Sinclair C5 finally bought one (two)
Discussion
I had always liked the idea of buying a C5 ever since seeing them in 1985. I was keeping an eye out but most were ooop north for some reason.
I then saw 2 for sale for £1000 in Bognor so bought them blind as they were cheap….
One has had a 24v conversion and the other stored from late 80’s all standard.
The stored one had been used and needed a clean up.
The one above is the 24v
Here is the strip down of the 12v:
The tyres are original and skid n slide everywhere and had splits, the frame had some surface rust so I have stripped to individual components and sent the frame for a dip, blast and then high zinc powder coat in original (ish) colour.
The bearings were not rusty inside but the grease was dry and gritty so I have cleaned and re greased then fitted new tyres.
Here is the strip down of the 12v:
The tyres are original and skid n slide everywhere and had splits, the frame had some surface rust so I have stripped to individual components and sent the frame for a dip, blast and then high zinc powder coat in original (ish) colour.
The bearings were not rusty inside but the grease was dry and gritty so I have cleaned and re greased then fitted new tyres.
Edited by Caddyshack on Wednesday 12th June 19:42
Tiny drum brake works on one rear wheel, they are fairly known for doing nothing, nothing then lock up so I have ordered a disc conversion for front and rear. The fronts do not much then overheat and melt the wheel.
I have have snow foamed the shell, then steam cleaned on a warm setting and low pressure then warm soapy water and a mild scotch brite plus more washing.
Stripped the axle ready for clean, grease and bearing refresh.
Frame and forks pulled out ready for the strip and recoat
48v battery on charge as I have some ideas but anything I do will be 100% reversible to standard with no holes cut or drilled.
2nd C5 in background.
Edited by Caddyshack on Wednesday 12th June 19:52
On the road these feel quite twitchy over 15mph and with 24v you could do 30mph I expect. The key is to relax and not over correct, just gentle inputs and it all then makes sense.
They are not particularly rattly and quite comfy.
You only need the pedals to move off and on steep hills. You can then put your legs out straight with the feet in the foot wells and off the pedals.
I think these were released when battery tech was rubbish and it’s a shame as roads were quieter, you do feel quite exposed so low. I will add the optional rear flag and some flashing bike lights.
They are not particularly rattly and quite comfy.
You only need the pedals to move off and on steep hills. You can then put your legs out straight with the feet in the foot wells and off the pedals.
I think these were released when battery tech was rubbish and it’s a shame as roads were quieter, you do feel quite exposed so low. I will add the optional rear flag and some flashing bike lights.
Awesome, well done.
Please please please keep this thread updated with your progress and provide links to any online resources you find for refurbishing them. My son and I are off to pick up the C5 that I had as a kid in a few weeks. He has plans to spend his post GCSE summer refurbishing it. It’s sat in my dad’s garage unused for around 30 years.
Please please please keep this thread updated with your progress and provide links to any online resources you find for refurbishing them. My son and I are off to pick up the C5 that I had as a kid in a few weeks. He has plans to spend his post GCSE summer refurbishing it. It’s sat in my dad’s garage unused for around 30 years.
I have such a love hate thing with the C5!
I think Sir C Sinclair was an absolute legend for putting so much thought into the aesthetic of everything, he was Steve Jobs but sadly arrived slightly before tech got really clever, his vision certainly outstripped his means, and the means of the tech available at the time.
Back to the C5... I'd love to call it a genesis moment in terms of electric mobility, but the awkward truth is the C5 is more likely to have set such aspirations back a number of years - some things arrive ahead of their time and for a lengthy period put anyone else off trying again. But that's not the point of course, they're lovable because you sense they were created by a very passionate man, despite making little sense and being of little use, but came to be anyway because he could see a logical future decades ahead that he wanted to reach ahead of time
I'm delighted you found two of them for a reasonable price, and that one of them is fully original. I've seen a couple part restored and I know that under the 'futuristic' shell, they're laughably simple - so perhaps just about the perfect item to now own, easy enough fully understand and work on the mechanicals and bring back to better than new condition!
I think Sir C Sinclair was an absolute legend for putting so much thought into the aesthetic of everything, he was Steve Jobs but sadly arrived slightly before tech got really clever, his vision certainly outstripped his means, and the means of the tech available at the time.
Back to the C5... I'd love to call it a genesis moment in terms of electric mobility, but the awkward truth is the C5 is more likely to have set such aspirations back a number of years - some things arrive ahead of their time and for a lengthy period put anyone else off trying again. But that's not the point of course, they're lovable because you sense they were created by a very passionate man, despite making little sense and being of little use, but came to be anyway because he could see a logical future decades ahead that he wanted to reach ahead of time
I'm delighted you found two of them for a reasonable price, and that one of them is fully original. I've seen a couple part restored and I know that under the 'futuristic' shell, they're laughably simple - so perhaps just about the perfect item to now own, easy enough fully understand and work on the mechanicals and bring back to better than new condition!
The guy on Retro Electro on Yesterday did a C5 last year -
https://uktvplay.co.uk/shows/retro-electro-worksho...
https://uktvplay.co.uk/shows/retro-electro-worksho...
I imagine all Sir Clive fans have seen this - but if not it's a fantastic bit of nostalgia and I couldn't recommend it highly enough: https://youtu.be/XXBxV6-zamM?si=cuQMW2zeQ7hSZ-tD
Clive himself actually hated the program, despite being involved in it pre-production. But the list of things he hated was quite long and included computers at one time.. so don't be put off!
Clive himself actually hated the program, despite being involved in it pre-production. But the list of things he hated was quite long and included computers at one time.. so don't be put off!
Edited by TheDeuce on Thursday 13th June 08:51
The Iris e trike is a modern take on it by one of his close relatives.
C5 alive face book group is probably the best place for info.
Sam Rowell runs C5 depot and is great for tip, advice and he sells repro and orig parts on eBay. He also take on motor rebuilds etc.
There is a surprisingly large community
My 48v motor mount and disc brakes are about to ship and I have ordered a motor and controller. I plan to gear this as low as possible for torque at the wheels more than huge top speed and I think you could roll it if you corner too fast. I have a tow bar coming too so plan to make a clever trailer of some sort.
C5 alive face book group is probably the best place for info.
Sam Rowell runs C5 depot and is great for tip, advice and he sells repro and orig parts on eBay. He also take on motor rebuilds etc.
There is a surprisingly large community
My 48v motor mount and disc brakes are about to ship and I have ordered a motor and controller. I plan to gear this as low as possible for torque at the wheels more than huge top speed and I think you could roll it if you corner too fast. I have a tow bar coming too so plan to make a clever trailer of some sort.
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