80cc Engine kit!

[reanimation]

If it's too good to be true....



Looks like a commuting dream doesnt it? ... sort of
The main reason I have not MOT'd my classic C70 is that I didnt want temptation to use it, and wanted to enjoy actually cycling to work, saying that I'm car sharing mostly now. :?

Anyway one day I'll run out of money to run a car or get bored of traffic, so what I like about this 'idea' is you could build up a pretty awesome responsive cycle 'chassis' to chuck the engine on! Most likely not as good as a proper motorbike but I dunno...

Besides you have to licence them of course which sounds like a faff/gamble.
The ad obviously really really sells it...

Any thoughts/crazy ideas/experience?

That long chain looks strange! :shock:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... ink:top:en

 

[xerxes]

I doubt it's road legal in the UK. Looks like you need to replace the left hand brake lever with a clutch lever, so you'd only have one brake, which would make it illegal. :?

On a motorcycle the rear brake is a foot brake, and even though it's pretty much for decoration, you still have to have a working rear brake.

 

[reanimation]

Good point. I was wondering about rear brake, not sure what happens on that left side of the hub, can't even work out how it connects to standard wheel!
So yeah I did briefly ponder the rear brake set up...

Hmm, first off yep it's mostly a toy isn't it, legalising would be annoying, but it is a crazy idea to develop something better...

 

[xerxes]

Just looked on their web site: http://www.transformercycles.com/beach.html

Seems they mount both clutch and brake lever one above the other:

It's a bit "Heath Robinson", but possibly legal. :? A little tiny clutch for an engine that size would probably be really light, so some sort of thumb operated lever might be a neater solution.

EDIT.

Seems like they have thought of that already: http://www.transformercycles.com/parts.html

 

[reanimation]

Ah yeah it is a bit Heath Robinson sure! :shock: Hard to get your head around operating such a thing, also scary there will be people basing them on BSO supermarket bikes, the shakes should stop them going too fast.

As nutty as these things are It's still quite exciting an air fix custom motorbike starters kit is a small wad of cash away! Will show em my dad who is a real biker see what he says about it all!

As for my Honda C70 it doesnt even have a clutch...CLUNK!

I would have thought the future was really electric units, something I've not looked into much recently.

 

[spike3]

The modern ones won't be legal however, google: cyclemaster, trojan, bsa winged wheel, mini motor, or ducati cyclemotor.

These are all genuine 1950's so tax / MOT exempt and £60 a year insurance

Oh and join the National Autocycle and Cyclemotor Club, great people and a real laugh on bikes under 50cc

 

[Andy R]

As for my Honda C70 it doesnt even have a clutch...CLUNK!
.

It does (centrifugal) - it just doesn't have a clutch lever.

 

[reanimation]

Thanks Andy, Makes sense, Its fun clunking through, a drop down in gear at speed locks up the rear wheel! I hope its as fun commuting and cruising as it is mucking about on!

Spike, ace, so those things I ususlly see at classic show, great I'll have a look at em.

 

[02gf74]

I doubt it's road legal in the UK..

this has been discussed before, maybe not here but it is classed as a moped.

It needs to go through SVA - gov test to ensure has been put together correclty and it is safe, ok if you live in a country where traffic drives in any direction on the same side of the road, then needs tax and insurance.

 

[rosstheboss]

Mick Doohan won 5 500cc/MotoGP titles back to back with a tiny thumb operated rear brake because his ankle didn't work, chucking two levers on the same side of the bars seems fine to me!