Let's Talk Cyclecars

The nose cone is missing.

 

Here are a few pictures from VRM 2019 by Pavel Malanik. Pavel is a craftsman.He's built recreations from nothing more than photos of motorcycles of which there are no known examples.the smiles of the folks in the back of the van are what I was talking about earlier. VRM is an event where folks enjoy themselves.Then there is the image of Ade's mostly complete RUNNING JAPPIC recreation.

 

To go along with post #11458

 

Ade's JAPPIC from England on the left and the New Zealander Garth's JAPPIC on the right.The power of VRM. The original JAPPIC was in storage under the banking at Montlhery when it was destroyed by a fire there.

 

That is so cool to have those two replicas together like that.

 

Speaking of Jappic

 

Still here. Almost forgot my login info! No progress to report on the Airhead Roadster build. English wheel and shrinker stretchers are still in boxes. Been busy building solar electric sailboats and restoring vintage motorcycles, and now summer sailing season is here, so I’ll be out of the office and the AR will be collecting dust. Hoping to shift some stuff around in the garage at the end of summer to free up a good deal of working space for the English wheel so I can work without bumping into stuff and be able to step back and give the car the old one eye squint. Anyway here are some photos I’ve collected since my last post:

 

I don't know what this one is...





...but I love it.

 

1907 French Mors chassis with Curtiss V-8

 

Thanks, @banjeaux bob !

 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/yachtclubdesavionsdelaroute/

 

Are there any resources on using modern available materials for building wheels for these things? Like a 19" harley rim laced onto a custom 4 on 4" hub. I have searched the internet but I have been unable to find a real good guide on how to build a hub to handle lateral stress very well. Motorcycle and bicycle lacing/hub tutorials are pretty common. I guess using servicar type wire wheel construction would be a good start? I have built up a fair number of motorcycle wheels so I understand the process of building the wheel, I would just like to read more about the design of a light weight car wire wheel.

 

In the 70's a lot of T bucket hot rods ran wire spoke front wheels, generally using hubs machined to fit early Ford spindles laced to 16" H-D rims . Hallcraft was a prominent manufacturer in the era and the ones that I used on this car were probably manufactured by them. The company was sold some time back to the owner of American Iron Horse and evidently they discontinued the hot rod wheel line.

You could also try these guys although they are a little "spendy" http://daytonwirewheels.com/catalogue.php
Roo

 

Cool! I was aware of using the harley wheels on early ford spindles. I poked at the bearing sizes. Guess its time to hit the usual suspects and round up some stuff to see what I can make of things.

 

The solid aluminum Harley Sportster style front hubs are easy to work with, have a bit of extra material, and are often drilled for single or dual disc rotors.

Also MGA wheels are a nice option as well if you need something more substantial but don’t want to pay the high prices of vintage Ford pieces.

I really like the look and proportions of my wheels which are Austin 10 series. You could use Austin 7 stuff too. Check the classified on prewar car dot com.

If you’re building something light, check out what the Cycle Cart guys are using. At one point I think you could buy modified Honda CB wheels through that crowd.

 

http://www.buchananspokes.com/categories/index.asp
These guys can make up any kind of spoke you need. I re-laced the front wheels of the Morgan with their spokes. The 3 wheel guys often use bike wheels on their cars without problems.

 

J-C A . pic from VRM 2019.

 

Good news, I think I might have figured out how to post an externally accessible link to Instagram for those who are not users.

A few years back they increased the length of the videos you can post to 1 minute, and there have been a lot of videos with cycle car content I would have shared but didn’t know how.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so then a video of a car in motion with sound must be worth a few paragraphs I’d think.

Anyway, let’s give this a shot. Let me know if it works by “liking” it and I’ll post more as I come across them.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvs6aHHn8e7/?igshid=1lfikh5i1azhk

 

Hello, AHR!​

It works for me - nice video-clip with nice cars!

Ciao,
Zoran​

 

Hello,​

All cyclecars were unorthodox vehicles (compared to "normal" automobiles, even small) and often quite crazy...
However, Bedelia always amused me being one of the most unusual: steering, suspension, transmission, seating position! They had all possible oddities completed in one model and...
And, all of that could be classified as recept for disaster or at least for unsuccessful car and entire business affair! But, Bedelia was quite opposite to that?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=28&v=l7ZOEsQ90IU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=DmPDF9_Oun4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=16&v=NSIF8Sc6F9E

(please, pay attention on ultralight racing cyclecar in background at 0.52 second of film;
is that some highly modified special based on Bedelia or some other cyclecar, or something built in modern times as re-creation of old vintage spirit?)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=6&v=ggKAD90mNaA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=40&v=hw2hXLM8tJc

It was strange how the first model (prototype?) had "normal" suspension/steering system, but later changed to ancient central pivot suspension/steering? Later they made almost normal automobiles or at least normal cyclecars, but next time about that...

Another mystery for me: how they were propelled successfully with belts laying almost on the ground?

Ciao,
Zoran​

 

Glad the link worked. Wasn’t sure because it launches my App for me.

Here are a few more.

The nice thing about IG videos is they are short but just enough to leave you wanting more, sort of an Amuse-Bouche of cycle car if you will.

And it’s also fun to see some of the cars that have been posted in this thread in motion:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfEusydnAht/?igshid=87jref6tcpmc

https://www.instagram.com/p/Btv996yieug/?igshid=sn2bf4vfx3kf

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bsnsu6sFABq/?igshid=rp4uh7feias8

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxdEZhiIWKW/?igshid=115wpmut9yx5a

 

Stefan Marjoram image of Ade getting the JAPPIC started at VRM2019.

 

From steefspeed

 

Did he make it?

 

https://www.prewarcar.com/287591-au...oK4E4VmNDC2zBZDvHbDfm1s#.XOZB_oCjArZ.facebook

 

I do miss Bluto posting on this thread...

Sent from my moto g(6) play using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Me too, i often open this thread with a thought for him,
When Bluto went i suggested a title change in his memory,
What do you all think ?
Something like... " lets talk cycle cars...thanks bluto" .

 

======================
Did he make it?
Fred V
www.JZRUSA2.blogspot.com

fredvv44, Tuesday at 10:26 PM ​

!​

=========================
………. no, too late for correction: full-left steering wheel?
Zoran

 

Yeah, I was thinking about him yesterday.

 

View attachment 4301116



So neat to hear the car running:

https://www.instagram.com/p/ByGHYMeFXn9/?igshid=1c5kc8wfm8jpc