Retro motorised bicycle
Discussion
I was riding earlier through Fulham/Putney area and came across a chap that was riding a very interesting machine.
It was a period Royal Enfield bicycle that was motorised by a small two stroke. It was quite swift between traffic lights, made a cool sound, and didn't smoke at all. Had very nice design cues too such as lugged frame set, springer from suspension, and pedals to help going uphill I suppose.
Not sure if it's an one off. Could someone point to me who would put together something like that?
It was a period Royal Enfield bicycle that was motorised by a small two stroke. It was quite swift between traffic lights, made a cool sound, and didn't smoke at all. Had very nice design cues too such as lugged frame set, springer from suspension, and pedals to help going uphill I suppose.
Not sure if it's an one off. Could someone point to me who would put together something like that?
Motorsport3 said:
I was riding earlier through Fulham/Putney area and came across a chap that was riding a very interesting machine.
It was a period Royal Enfield bicycle that was motorised by a small two stroke. It was quite swift between traffic lights, made a cool sound, and didn't smoke at all. Had very nice design cues too such as lugged frame set, springer from suspension, and pedals to help going uphill I suppose.
Not sure if it's an one off. Could someone point to me who would put together something like that?
Was is like the Velosolex? It was a period Royal Enfield bicycle that was motorised by a small two stroke. It was quite swift between traffic lights, made a cool sound, and didn't smoke at all. Had very nice design cues too such as lugged frame set, springer from suspension, and pedals to help going uphill I suppose.
Not sure if it's an one off. Could someone point to me who would put together something like that?
If you add an engine to a push bike, it becomes a moped - I think that will mean some sort of IVA inspection, followed by TAX, number plate, MOT and all the rest.
If you want to pedal, then a Fizzie might be your thing?
It was very different to a velosolex. Had the engine mounted on the frame between the riders legs and the power was going to the rear wheel through a secondary chain, on the left of the bike, with the pedal-linked chain on the right of the bike. A beautiful metallic barrel serving as gas tank was mounted over the rear wheel too.
It was maybe just a 'clip on' engine? There was a few about back in the day, lots of Italian companies did them including the Ducati Cucciolo. I don't know of any Royal Enfield ones but they may well have done one.
My favourite is the Bugatti offering. 48cc, double overhead cam supercharged single!
https://www.bugattirevue.com/revue29/t72.htm
My favourite is the Bugatti offering. 48cc, double overhead cam supercharged single!
https://www.bugattirevue.com/revue29/t72.htm
trickywoo said:
I’d wager it wasn’t being operated within the law whatever it was.
I’m not especially law abiding but the consequences of riding a bike like that far outweigh how cool you may look and feel.
What makes you say that? There's a big following for these things and most I've seen on runs have been registered...I’m not especially law abiding but the consequences of riding a bike like that far outweigh how cool you may look and feel.
Something similar to the below? The fuel tank over the rear wheel sounds unusual, I have never seen that before.
In terms of legality, I have a few Solex and a Trojan Mini Motor, similar bikes tend to be ridden by older people within the law due to minimal credibility with the twist and go crowd. They can also be a pig to maintain and ride no need an enthusiast element.
In terms of legality, I have a few Solex and a Trojan Mini Motor, similar bikes tend to be ridden by older people within the law due to minimal credibility with the twist and go crowd. They can also be a pig to maintain and ride no need an enthusiast element.
trickywoo said:
srob said:
What makes you say that?
Fulham.https://thebuzzingclub.net/
Something along these lines?
This is my friends ..Based on a 1950s BSA Winged Wheel, he took out the top rail, added in the fuel tank, coil etc in the wicker basket... this one is road legal but others he has built are not ( I know I should have had a lid on...)
Mike Abbey sees a fair few, this one uses the same 80cc 2T motor, with one of micks pipes and a tune, it makes 6 rear wheel HP, up from the base1.5RWHP...
This is an original Winged Wheel.
This is my friends ..Based on a 1950s BSA Winged Wheel, he took out the top rail, added in the fuel tank, coil etc in the wicker basket... this one is road legal but others he has built are not ( I know I should have had a lid on...)
Mike Abbey sees a fair few, this one uses the same 80cc 2T motor, with one of micks pipes and a tune, it makes 6 rear wheel HP, up from the base1.5RWHP...
This is an original Winged Wheel.
In the mid 1950s my Dad bought an engine kit that mounted on the front forks and a roller pressed onto the front tyre to give drive etc.
Very crude device.
His idea was to try to motorise a push along cultivator...It never happened!
About 50 years ago I mounted it on a child's tricycle but I could never get it started. A few years later I successfully mounted the contraption onto a regular bike. It was terrible, very difficult to start or control etc.
I still do silly things!
I've still got it...in its original wooden crate...I must stop thinking ...........if I tried again.
Very crude device.
His idea was to try to motorise a push along cultivator...It never happened!
About 50 years ago I mounted it on a child's tricycle but I could never get it started. A few years later I successfully mounted the contraption onto a regular bike. It was terrible, very difficult to start or control etc.
I still do silly things!
I've still got it...in its original wooden crate...I must stop thinking ...........if I tried again.
Dammit said:
These were fairly common for a while, from memory the motor of choice was, originally, for a small lathe.
The bikes themselves are, literally, bikes until you start the engine - at which point it's a moped and you need VED/MOT/insurance/helmet, and a licence plate of course.
I have this exercise in terror, a road legal Trojan Mini Motor attached to a 1940s road bike. All the weight is very high up and there is a lot of frame flex, also very involving to start and stop.The bikes themselves are, literally, bikes until you start the engine - at which point it's a moped and you need VED/MOT/insurance/helmet, and a licence plate of course.
The Solex pictured earlier is a nicer/simpler way to get around but doesn't have the Wile E Coyote look of one of these.
Note: No tan wall on the back as it shredded the last one.
trickywoo said:
I’d wager it wasn’t being operated within the law whatever it was.
I’m not especially law abiding but the consequences of riding a bike like that far outweigh how cool you may look and feel.
I don't think so. He had actually fitted registration plate, therefore I assume that had it insured too.I’m not especially law abiding but the consequences of riding a bike like that far outweigh how cool you may look and feel.
podman said:
Something along these lines?
This is my friends ..Based on a 1950s BSA Winged Wheel, he took out the top rail, added in the fuel tank, coil etc in the wicker basket... this one is road legal but others he has built are not ( I know I should have had a lid on...)
Mike Abbey sees a fair few, this one uses the same 80cc 2T motor, with one of micks pipes and a tune, it makes 6 rear wheel HP, up from the base1.5RWHP...
This is an original Winged Wheel.
Indeed this BSA follows broadly the logic of the architecture. The place where the engine is and the engine looks very similar. Also I think the rider mentioned it was from the 50s.This is my friends ..Based on a 1950s BSA Winged Wheel, he took out the top rail, added in the fuel tank, coil etc in the wicker basket... this one is road legal but others he has built are not ( I know I should have had a lid on...)
Mike Abbey sees a fair few, this one uses the same 80cc 2T motor, with one of micks pipes and a tune, it makes 6 rear wheel HP, up from the base1.5RWHP...
This is an original Winged Wheel.
But the frame was branded Royal Enfield and had more of road bike geometry.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff