Let's Talk Cyclecars

Marc with his Lombard at Montlhery.

 

Seen at Brooklands by Robert S. ...

 

Images from Mons D. ...

 

BSA project http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1931-BSA-...w2xRYPdGj&clk_rvr_id=1133215336014&rmvSB=true

 

He says......"No timewasters!!" Whatever..........

 

Lockhart Peugeot/J.A.P. Special. before & after Before image from I.L. ...

 

I had my first encounter with a cycle car today, a home-built special by Bill Beck at Sebring. I went to see what was going on for the Historic races (and historic aircraft) but it was a pretty dull day in Mudville. The aircraft weren't there yet and the historic field was a little... sparsely populated. But I did happen upon Bill's car. He told me he frequents here, so hopefully he can add more details later. It's a tiny little thing, with hand brakes and a V-belt tranny! Gary

 

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/specialist-cars/other/auction-1213707543.htm

Here is a nice little 1913 Humberette for sale in gods own. Not a bad price too!

 

I wish that was here in the states; I would be in my shop. Been looking for one of those.

 

Supercharged Darmont

 

Fred,
it might not be historic but it sure fits the theme of this thread. It seems that anything is fair game at some of the "historic" races in this country as I see that some very late model sports cars are running at the event that Gary attended (as in Audi prototypes that are less than 10 years old)

Roo

 

^ and... Mr. Beck was positively proud of his creation and having a LOT of fun with it. For instance, it was his first time working in aluminum - so he taught himself by doing up the body on his own. He lives very near the track at Sebring and has his creation out putting around the place every time he can sneak it over. Gary

 

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Hello,​

For sure that Mr. Beck should be proud of his creation, the same as 100-150 other creators of CycleKarts, built and building around World, including many other regions of US and Canada, but Europe, Latin America and Asia, too. That is movement some 15-20 years old started by Stevenson family and friends in California:
http://www.cyclekarts.com/
Now, the main center is around Seattle at North-West of USA:
http://www.gittrevillegp.com/www.gittrevillegp.com/Welcome.html
… but, very active is in France, too:
http://www.cyclekart-fr.com/index.php
… with nice and active CycleKart Club forum:
http://www.cyclekartclub.com/
Most of CycleKarts, at the beginning, was scaled-down replicas of vintage GP racers, simply and cheaply made as ply-wood monocoque box and steel-rail chassis, with Honda 6.5 hp engine, CVT belt transmission, single-wheel-power, single-wheel brake. Now, they were evolved both in a style and construction – but the fun and joy are the same!

They are not classic, historic or thoroughbred – but relatively cheap fun as big-boy/girl toys on wheels (motorised), often given to children (for short drives)...

Ciao,
Zoran​

 

I'm building one and that is one of the reasons I found this wonderful thread.

 

I agree as to this thread as cyclekarts have been here before. I was saying that a cyclekart is not an historic car nor a viable race car at Sebring. I've started building one my self and may take it to car shows for display to encourage others to join the fun.

 

Hello Fred,​

I remember your thread/topic in CycleKart Club when you started construction of your CycleKart! You show us great work on design and construction of modified wheels (hubs) for your CK (axle and steering, too). But, in last 2 years – no new posts there or I missed something?
As CycleKarts are some kind of mixture between classic cycle-cars and classic go-karts, here could be a place for more information about such cute, simple and cheap vehicle for great fun and joy! I am still sorry that didn't build one in Belgrade, when I could do that, some 12 years ago!
Anyway, not all of us could have original classic cycle-car or light sport cars, neither build replica of it, nor build CycleKart! I am still glad to see other people succeed in that (not old grumpy man as shown in my avatar, just old?)...

Regards,
Zoran​

P.S.: Attached are pictures from comic-strip ALAN FORD... Inspiration for DIY replica of cyclecars?

 

Tamplin from Marc

 

Bedelia

 

It took a while but I finally found out a little about this car. Its a 1928 'Z' racer, heavily modified for the 1929 season. Z was the prewar brand of Ceskoslovenská zbrojovka, a maker of cars, trucks, tractors, rifles & other things. I found a few pictures of a surviving racer from an exhibition held in 2014:



As far as I can tell, they never used this suspension design again. I haven't been able to discover how the car did in the Krzyzowa hillclimb, which was won by the Polish driver Jan Ripper in a Bugatti 37A.

 

Marc pics. ...

 

Zoran, a set of castings for a steam engine i've always wanted to build became available so I bought them and built it over the past year or so. I hope to get back to the cyclekart next year.

 

Too cool Fred. Never ceases to amaze me the varied hobbies of the people that hang out here.

 

Oil can jack stands.........

 

fredvv44 said: ↑
Zoran, a set of castings for a steam engine i've always wanted to build became available so I bought them and built it over the past year or so. I hope to get back to the cyclekart next year.
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Fred,​

Tom/Dodge is quite right: many of us share various hobbies, from DIY 3-wheelers and 4-wheelers of all sizes and powers, to micro-cars with small engines or with aero-engines (from cyclecars to real giants) - and, of course steam-powered machines!

No mater how I adore CycleKarts, as my old-dream from boy's and teenager's days (CycleKarts didn't exist yet, but I planed/dreamed to build one soap-box moped-powered quadricycle!) - I understand your decision and pause on CycleKart project... So, if have to choose between beloved CycleKart and steam-engine of any type - I am afraid that I would make a choice as you did! Of course, in meantime some cute two-seat 3-wheeler as more practical vehicle for cruising around with my wife. My 3-wheeler started in Belgrade were quite modest and for sure that final product would be quite rude compared to your Morgan-style 3-wheeler (if I finished it before came here to Bern).
If you have some more photos or video about building and working of your steam-machine - it would be nice if we could see them here. I am sure that neither moderators nor members should have objection.(or attached to private message?)

Ciao,
Zoran​

 

Burkedore said: ↑
View attachment 3138843 View attachment 3138844
Do you have any suggestions where I should look for more images of this car? I am particularly interested in his quarter elliptical setup.
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... except shown photos of Z-racer in Museum, I couldn't find any better photos of its suspension! Obviously that at front it had double quarter-elliptic springs, but I am not sure for rear. As I could see, probably single quarter-elliptic leaf springs as on some other models. At front, Ceskoslovenská Zbrojovka used a few systems on various models. Some photos are attached.

Ciao,
Zoran