Retro Thing

VeloSolex - Return Of An Iconic French Design

The VeloSolex powered bicycle was introduced in 1946. By the time the iconic French design ceased production in 1988, over 8 million had been sold. It lived on for almost two decades as a licensed design produced in China and Hungary. Production returned to France in 2005, and the S4800 has been marketed by VeloSolex America in North Bergen, NJ. for several years.

The bike is the essence of simplicity - a 49cc two stroke engine sits over the front wheel, putting out a whopping 0.80 bhp at 2200 rpm. As you might guess, it's economical - the 1.4 L tank gives you a range of 60 miles, although you'll have to pedal to get the machine up steeper hills. The maximum speed is pre-set to 20 mph, so don't expect to break any land speed records.

Accessories include a $100 catalytic converter to reduce the cloud of oil-infused 2-stroke exhaust, a $25 horn, saddle bags ($45 each) and a $55 digital speedometer. Best of all, custom colors are available for only $100 extra, so owning a blinding safety orange S4800 is a distinct possibility... if you dare.

If the thought of a 2-stroke motor running on dinosaur grease sends you into a fit of envirorage, check out the futuristic e-Solex. This clever electric update is available from Solex in France with a dramatic redesign by Pininfarina. A rear-mounted 400W hub motor is capable of propelling the bike at up to 20 mph with a range of approximately 25 miles, and they thoughtfully retained the pedals in case you feel like working up an environmentally friendly sweat.

Visit VeloSolex America

The Art Deco Motorcycle That Time Forgot

The sheer beauty of the BMW R7 prototype takes my breath away. A single copy was crafted in 1934 by design engineer Alfred Böning. His vision was a departure from the "bicycle with motor" design still prevalent in the 1930s. The R7 incorporated sweeping enclosed bodywork, a pressed steel frame, valanced mudguards and then-innovative telescopic front forks.

The R7's beauty was more than skin deep, however. The transmission featured an 'H' pattern hand shifter and the 800c Boxer engine crafted by Leonhard Ischinger was decades ahead of its time. The revolutionary engine includes a forged, single piece crankshaft. The cylinder housing is a monoblock with a hemispherical combustion chamber, eliminating the need for a troublesome head gasket and the camshaft is positioned below the crank (allowing more convenient plug placement).

Alas, the R7 was deemed too extravagant and expensive to produce in the harsh economic and political climate of the mid-1930s. The roadworthy prototype was stripped of useful parts, crated and largely forgotten until 2005. When the box was finally opened, the R7 was found to be 70% complete but in disastrous condition. Many components were severely rusted and a long-forgotten battery had ruptured and corroded the machine even further.

Luckily, the original design drawings were located in the BMW Archives and BMW Classic undertook a comprehensive restoration. A team of specialists rebuilt the frame, bodywork, transmission and one-of-a-kind motor. By the end of 2008, the machine looked like it must have when Alfred Böning first rolled it out of his Munich workshop. It performed flawlessly on its first road test in over 70 years and, hopefully, will be displayed around the world in years to come. [thanks, Karen!]

Add a Cargo Deck to Your Bike

The FreeRadical bolts to the rear of your current bicycle and lets you to carry up to 200 lbs of cargo, equipment or passengers. It extends the frame 17 inches, weighs a mere 5 lbs and fits most 26" diamond frame bikes. On sale until the end of the month for $399, direct from XtraCycle.

Maker Faire FreeRadical Deal [via Make]

Ural Unveils More Affordable Sidecar Motorcycle

Madina at Ural-IMZ just gave us a shout about the new Ural-T. They've managed to shave the price of their famous BMW R71-inspired machine down to a very reasonable $9,999. 

Truth be told, I like the spartan look of the basic black Ural-T better than its pricier siblings. The machine shares the same mechanical underpinnings as the rest of the Ural lineup, but does away with niceties such as the sidecar windscreen and spare tire. 

Ural-T Sidecar Motorcycle

related:
Classic Retro Thing: Russian Motorcycles
Ride A Vintage People's Liberation Army Motorcycle

Royal Enfield Bullet G5 Classic

The Bullet G5 is a modern, fuel-injected, low maintenance version of the world famous 1955 Royal Enfield Bullet. This hand-painted bike oozes vintage charm, but the modern 499cc single cylinder 4-stroke engine promises excellent mileage, simplified maintenance and higher cruising speeds.

In addition to the new fuel injected powerplant, the updated bike offers improved suspension and handling and an estimated 85 mpg fuel economy. It features a 2 year unlimited mileage warranty in the USA. Not bad for $5995.

Royal Enfield G5 Classic

related:
Royal Enfield: The World's Oldest Motorcycle Marque

The Honda Super Cub Returns To The USA

Nate Dahl writes, "The Honda Super Cub may be the most-produced motorcycle in the world, having sold more than 60 million since it was introduced in 1958, but in spite of the fact that it's still going strong in Japan and other countries in the far-east, Honda hasn't offered the Super Cub for sale in the USA since 1983.

That's about to change, sort-of. San Yang Motorcycle of Taiwan is about to re-introduce the Super Cub to the American market this spring. The Symba is an updated rendition of the classic step-through Cub design, developed by San Yang over the 40 years they made the Super Cub in Taiwan under license from Honda.

Now that the company has gone independent, it is trying hard to develop its own brand presence in the world. In recent years it has signed up Carter Brothers as its distributor in the USA, and has introduced its popular line of scooters though a growing network of San Yang dealers across the country.

This year, encouraged by strong scooter sales and by the enthusiasm of its USA dealers regarding the potential popularity of the Super Cub design among American scooter and small-displacement motorcycle enthusiasts, San Yang began laying the groundwork for a Symba introduction to the American market.

They Symba features a 100cc 4-stroke engine paired with a 4-speed manual transmission with the classic Cub-style foot-actuated clutch/shifter mechanism (sometimes referred to as a 'semi-auto' transmission)."

The Symba hits the market this spring, priced at $2,598. For more details and photos, visit Team Symba and the official USA site.

Ride A Vintage People's Liberation Army Motorcycle

The CJ 750 sidecar motorcycle is based upon the 1938 BMW R-71. These vintage Chang Jiang military bikes are restored by the 30 person Yiqi Motorcycle Company at a 3000 square foot factory in Beijing. The company also runs the CJ Sidecar showroom in Shanghai. They offer versions with left or right-hand sidecars, and even a solo model. Custom paintwork is available in a variety of styles, although WWII military recreations are their biggest sellers.

The company site mysteriously states,"Though the Shanghai Government has stopped to register the license of CJ Sidecar Motorcycles, we can get authentic license of other provinces of China. So foreigner customers can ride their motorcycles in Shanghai with our license.

We provide a written contract with our customers when they come and pick up their bikes that guarantees  the bike we sell to the customer has a real legal motorcycle plate, and the customer can use it in shanghai. If because of the plate, the customer got fined by the policemen or something like this, then our company will take full responsibility.

The reason why we sign a contract with our customers is because many foreigner who bought some illegal bikes in Shanghai from some small companies. The policemen caught them, and kept their bikes, or fined a lot. Some customers do not even dare to drive their bikes on the street."

 
Sounds like there are some interesting stories to be told. One thing's for sure, I probably wouldn't be willing to risk my life on one of these old army workhorses - even after restoration.

CJ Sidecar Motorcycles [via The Red Ferret Journal]

One Of A Kind Ural Gzhel Motorcycle Auction

The Gzhel is a unique Russian-made Ural Tourist motorcycle hand painted in traditional 14th century pottery style by Svetlana Zyryanova. By day, Svetlana toils in the factory's paint department where she's often responsible for less awe-inspiring camouflage patterns. However, she's spends her spare time as an artist. This obsession led her to spend hundreds of hours hand painting a special Ural Tourist in the traditional Gzhel folk art style.

This meticulously decorated machine is roadworthy, too; the body is clear coated for protection from rocks and stray bullets. Ural's Madina Merzhoyeva tells us that, "Since 2005 a lot of changes have been made to bring the quality and functionality of a Ural up to the modern standard, while keeping untouched (almost) its retro look."

Even back in the late 1930s, BMW made great motorcycles. In fact, they were decidedly better than those the Soviets had to suffer with. In a moment of strategic stupidity, the Germans gave blueprints and casting molds for BMW's out-dated R71 motorcycle to the Russians. Over the course of WWII, thousands of these bikes were manufactured for the Red Army.

By the 1950s, the Irbit Motorcycle Works was producing Ural motorbikes for civilian use. They survived the breakup of the Soviet Union, and now operate as a privately held company. You can buy one new in North America or Europe quite easily for around $10,000.

As for the Gzhel, this one of a kind machine will be auctioned on eBay, starting at noon on April 3, 2009. The motorcycle will be delivered to the dealership closest to the winning bidder, who will also receive a bottle of Gzhel vodka with at least some of the contents remaining. A portion of the sale proceeds will be donated to the Irbit Children's School of the Arts.

IMZ Ural Gzhel Motorcycle

Ridley Vintage Motorized Bicycles

OK, time to come clean. There's nothing old about a Ridley Motorbike except the styling. These brand new designs feature modern aluminum frames and 48cc to 70cc motors to propel you in style. Take care not to spook passing horses or lose control on slick cobblestone roadways while dashing around town at speeds approaching a breathtaking 33 mph. It's almost enough to make you believe these fanciful self-propelled contraptions will one day supplant the horse and buggy.

Ridley bikes are shipped as kits requiring separate motor installation (presumably for liability reasons). Each of the company's five distinctive designs includes a Cruiselite aluminum monocoque frame with integrated fuel tank, Quick Brick whitewall tires, single speed Shimano coaster brake hub, wiring and rubber engine mount. The frame alone costs a steep $1940, plus an additional $559 for a 48cc 2-stroke engine.

Ridley Motorized Bicycles [thanks, Mike Walters!]

DIY Mopeds For Under $130

Fifty years ago, American manufacturers like Whizzer produced thousands of quirky motorized bicycles. Similar motor bikes are returning to the road, driven by the ailing economy and a healthy dose of nostalgia.

The most affordable way to get your hands on one is to modify an existing bike. Zoom Bicycles offers a range of bolt-on 49cc and 80cc 2-stroke motors. You can expect maximum speeds between 30 km/h and 50 km/h, depending on the engine displacement and overall weight. Fuel economy is up to 150 mpg, although these little motors demand 89 Octane fuel premixed with 2-stroke synthetic motorcycle oil.

Suzuki Goes Retro With The TU250

At first glance, the $3499 Suzuki TU250 seems to have escaped from the 1970s. However, you're not going to discover mysterious old oil leaks or finicky carburetors on this modern little bike. Instead, Suzuki has wrapped 21st century engineering in an eye-catching vintage design.

It's powered by a 249cc four-stroke single cylinder air-cooled engine controlled by a digital CDI ignition system. Power is transmitted to the pavement through a 5-speed transmission and the gas tank holds just over 3 gallons of fuel - perfect for riding around town. If you're of the green persuasion, you'll be happy to see a catalytic converter on the exhaust to reduce emissions.

This bike is yet another attempt by manufacturers to encourage new riders to enter the sport. Until recently, the North American market relied on well-heeled Baby Boomers buying higher-end machines. Younger, poorer riders often found themselves having to settle for an ugly entry level bike, or none at all.

Things are changing rapidly, thanks to a decline in the Boomer segment and a challenging economy that encourages frugal vehicle purchases. A $15,000 bike is suddenly out of reach for many, especially when a much cheaper and more fuel efficient machine serves basically the same function. Besides, the sub-250cc displacement helps to reduce insurance costs and provides great fuel economy.

The TU250 is available only in red, a great way to reduce inventory costs.

Discover the 2009 Suzuki TU250 [thanks, Stephen!]

The Return of Crocker Motorcycles

Crocker Motorcycles? Most people have never heard of them. Not surprising, considering that less than 100 of these two-wheeled hot rods were made in the years leading up to WWII.These magnificent machines might have been forgotten in the mists of time if it weren't for an appearance in a 1998 motorcycle exhibition at the Guggenheim Museum in New York. Nowadays, these old bikes are a collector's dream, estimated to be worth more than $100,000 each.

Part of what makes Al Crocker's bikes special is that he was a perfectionist who preferred to make things himself rather than relying on substandard parts from others. As a result, each of these bikes were essentially custom machines, with cast aluminum fuel tanks and lovingly assembled custom engines. The first few dozen bikes from the company earned a reputation as winning speedway racers. In 1936, Al and Paul Bigsby introduced a 1,000 cc model that could cruise at over 90 mph. The world took notice.

"The Crocker was built heavy duty for maximum performance, custom-tailored to the individual rider's order, and built in Al Crocker's own facility. Each buyer could choose color, degree of chrome trim, and even gear ratio and displacement!

Crocker introduced motorcycle design innovations that set his V-twin ahead of the Harleys and Indians of the mid 30's and 40's. The transmission could withstand incredible amounts of torque. This beautifully engineered three speed transmission coupled with a unique proprietary engine of Crocker's own design laid shame to anything that dared cross its path.

At 3.25" Bore and 3.625 Stroke, the 61 cubic inch engines were almost square. Cylinders were set 45 degrees apart. The compression ratio was rated at 7:1 on most machines but was known to go at least to 11:1 on some specials. The machine was put together with customizers in mind, too. The cylinder walls were a full 3/8-inch thick to allow for over-boring. This led to the creation of some big-bore Crockers of over 90 cu. in. that blew off anything in their way."

Unfortunately, Crocker's craftsmanlike approach would be the company's downfall. The labor-intensive production line was slow and prices were high. They simply couldn't compete and folded in the tough economic times of 1942.

The marque languished until a new Crocker Motorcycle Company began to produce replacement parts for the old machines in 1997. The Toronto-based team team can now produce all of the parts needed to assemble exact reproductions of the coveted Crocker classics. And, amazingly, the company is taking orders for a production run of 100 new bikes. Back to the future, indeed.

Visit the Crocker Motorcycle Company official site

Chicara Moped Racer

This motorcycular work of art started life as a frumpy little 1966 Honda moped. The 1.5 HP motor and transmission did, anyway. Everything else came from the chrome-plated imagination of designer Chicara Nagata. This machine and others like it will be featured in Chicara Liquid Chrome at ippodo gallery (NYC) from November 7 through January 31, 2009. Follow the link for more electroplated awesomeness.

Chicara Art Motorcycles [via Dinosaurs & Robots]

Vintage Motorcycle Photos

Check out this page of stunning vintage motorcycles photographed at the Antique Motorcycle Club of America's Rhinebeck, NY Vintage Motorcycle Swap Meet.

Photographer Brian Lawrence also happens to be the president of the Rocky Mountain Section of the Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group. For those interested in getting up close and personal with classic and vintage motorbikes, the CVMG will host their annual swap meet at the Millarville Racetrack just south of Calgary this Sunday September 7, 2008.

Brian Lawrence's AMCA Swap Meet Photos

Johnny Pag's $4099 Custom Chopper

The Johnny Pag Spyder 300 retails for a mere $4099 ($4999 in Canada). It's the brainchild of California custom bike designer Johnny Pag, who has been crafting expensive one-off bikes for celebrities since the early 1970s. Johnny Pag spent many months over the course of several years in China, overseeing the development and production of this amazingly affordable head-turner. His son JR traveled alongside him to China and oversees sales operations in North America.

The 8 foot long Spyder 300 is guaranteed to attract attention wherever it goes. It's powered by a liquid cooled 300cc parallel twin based upon the classic Yamaha Virago 250 design.

Don't let the small displacement fool you, this bike is capable of cruising comfortably at 120 km/h (75 mph) and gets 60 mpg. The 5-speed transmission drives a 16" x 4.5" chrome alloy wheel on the back, and the entire package weighs in at 360 lbs.

The front forks have a 42 degree rake which will feel a bit wobbly at low speeds until you get used to it. Riders report that things smooth out at cruising speeds. It's available in five paint schemes - my favorite is basic black.

All in all, the Spyder 300 looks like an interesting low-cost bike for casual weekend riders. For those looking for something slightly more modern, the company plans to introduce the Johnny Pag Sport in 2009, likely with the same 300cc engine.

Johnny Pag Spyder 300 Chopper