vintage cycle motors, a good idea?

[JakeMiddleton]

Hey guys and gals! (oh who are we kidding, just guys)

I have been thinking about attaching a vintage cycle motor to my vintage bicycle, I am 23 and use my 50s humber sports to get everywhere, I have done a fair amount of tinkering and improving on it, replacing the dynohub bulbs with leds and giving it alloy rims and suchlike. Its my main form of transport and a lot of fun to own. I go two hours on it every day commuting. It is reliable but not very fast.

Recently I have been toying with the idea of putting a vintage cycle motor on it, such as a trojan mini motor, bsa winged wheel or some other such thing. The idea being that I could use the bike for longer journeys and take some time off my commute, plus it would be fun! Has anyone ever used a cyclemotor and could they suggest a reliable model? Preferably vintage. I think this would only be fun if it was a reliable way to get about, if these things are intrinsicaly finicky I probably wouldn't bother.

any advice welcome!

ps: here is a video I found that brought about a great sense of excitement in me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4z2Ul35Cj4

 

[Bats]

Unless there's some age exemption I think you'll end up dealing with all the legal requirements of a moped (proper moped, not scooter). But...

If it's good enough to take you across argentina, it'll take you to work and back.

 

[keithglos]

Jake, I sold and fitted some BSA winged wheels in the 1950's. Lots of problems, a more reliable motor was the Cyclemaster with a chain drive inside the rear wheel. I would suggest that none of them would be reliable to get to work for your distance, and it it fails it's rather hard pedalling.
I would think you would be better going electric, or at least fixing your feet to the pedals so that you can really pedal, and increase you power by at least 30%.
I used to find that the Raleigh roadster bikes were very hard to get above 15 mph, you might be better with a decent 70's lightweight.
I have no knowledge of MOT requirements or 2 stroke emissions.
Keith

 

[JakeMiddleton]

Thanks for that, sounds pretty unreliable. I have a track bike too, pretty good but would have to put some fatter tyres on it to get allong that bumpetty canal path each day, which might be weird on a track bike. Hmm

 

[Bats]

Jake, I sold and fitted some BSA winged wheels in the 1950's. Lots of problems, a more reliable motor was the Cyclemaster with a chain drive inside the rear wheel. I would suggest that none of them would be reliable to get to work for your distance, and it it fails it's rather hard pedalling.
I would think you would be better going electric, or at least fixing your feet to the pedals so that you can really pedal, and increase you power by at least 30%.
I used to find that the Raleigh roadster bikes were very hard to get above 15 mph, you might be better with a decent 70's lightweight.
I have no knowledge of MOT requirements or 2 stroke emissions.
Keith

What were the legal requirements back in the day? Did coppers just ignore it?

 

[keithglos]

Registration number plates, insurance and driving licence, from age 16.
Cycling on foopath and jumping traffic lights was not tolerated. Even walking across a crossing wheeling a bike could be classed as the offence of propelling a wheeled vehicle on a public footpath. Carrying was OK.

In the mid 50's the main cycle makers all made pathetic mopeds, all totally outclassed by the purpose designed and built NSU Quickly. The NSU had a 50cc unit with hard chrome surfaced bore and revved up to about 8000, single speed but would climb any normal hill. It was sold by the motor cycle trade who understood it. This just about finished commuter bikes, most of the manufacturers and many retailers. the manufacturing trade was left with schoolboy and teenage bikes, and whatever could be exported. The genuine lightweght market was far less than you would imagine. In 1960 as a one man business I was the largest outlet in the South of england for the 2 major importers/wholesalers of specialist bike components.
So get a cycle motor to play with, don't rely on it.
Keith

 

[LikeClockwork]

Vintage cycle motors, a good idea?

No. But hell, flippin' good fun!! I've always wanted to do this....

(ps I'm a girl)

 

[JakeMiddleton]

Vintage cycle motors, a good idea?

No. But hell, flippin' good fun!! I've always wanted to do this....

(ps I'm a girl)

I didnt mean any offence with the remark, I was kind of interested to see how many women there were on the forum compared to men actually

well then, if I saw a good deal on a cycle motor or one at a car boot then I would probably go for it as a fun thing though from what was said here its not a good idea as a main form of transport. As keith said perhaps just a lighter faster bike.

 

[BobToo]

Pre-1960 vehicles are now exempt from the MOT test, but I don't think it would count as pre-'60 if you bolted a motor on now. It does simplify matters a bit if you buy an existing machine though- all you need to pay for is insurance (assuming you already have a car or bike licence), which shouldn't be too much as most of us are old and the annual mileage is likely to be very low.

 

[S1m0nR]

Hi there,

Nice idea - but if you're looking for a reliable and relatively trouble free way of making the commute easier then I can recommend electric as the way forward. A colleague at work has spent the last few years refining the art of making electric folding bikes. We all take the mickey out of him for his laziness but in reality it means he cycles to work a lot more often and in all weather conditions because he knows that it'll not be too difficult.

He imports the motors and batteries from China and builds his own wheels with the motor in the front wheel. There's no legislation to get around except that you're limited to a maximum or 15mph when on the motor alone.

If you're interested to know more I can put you in touch with him as he'll talk about electric bikes until you have to ask him to stop...

Cheers...