I agree. There are a number of alternative venicle designs that deserve to make a comeback with modern materials and drive trains. Simple, cheap Micro cars, and even motor assisted pedal cars, designed to get one or two people from A to B over the short distances many of them regularly travel. They will never completely replace the need for full sized cars, but they could be an alternative to people who don't want to use traditional motorcycles or bicycles. The Citroën Ami is a modern example, but as with many small scale projects, the purchase costs are too high to encourage take up.
Just finished my first Cyclekart!! I call it the "Maytag RIP Special" and based it on the "Morgan RIP Special"!! It is the more fun than you can imagine and I built mine with all repurposed stuff so cost me less than $800!!
I'm a little surprised that you never mentioned the Austin Seven, especially the two seater sports models. The Seven was made in various forms from 1923 -39 which many people consider to be after the cycle car era had ended. However, it had all of the attributes of a cycle car and was part of that bridge from bike to car. It had a production of 290,000 vehicles. I think the Seven was probably a "crossover" style vehicle in mass production , at least in the UK. The seven was an incredible vehicle that helped in spawning many other brands including BMW and Jaguar and was exported all over the world...
I thought I recognised one of them - then I saw it was my video clip! It sits right at home here! I actually work in the company that started out making them. Great video.
PLEASE do a video on CycleKART racing haha. It’s like a smaller modern version and people build/race them. Edit: I got further into the video. Awesome 🤣🤘
Not much info around on cycle cars, so good work posting a video. I do, however, think the perspective here is a bit corrupted by a modern point of view. In the early days of motoring there were two thoughts on how to build cars. The first was similar to how they built wagons. The second was similar to how they build bicycles. So really up until about the mid-war point Cyclecars were just as legitimate of an idea of what a car was, as what we currently see as a car. Buick. for example was an example of a manufacturer that believed in cyclecars. The french had a whole class of cars for them and that kicked off in the 1800s In the 30s what we now see as cars became much more the norm and after WW2 cycle cars became more of a hobby for people. But from the 1880 up until about 1930 the the cycle car was just one of two ideas of a what a car should look like. the idea that people thought "here's a car and here's a motorcycle, let mash the two", is a modern perspective looking back. Back then motorcycles weren't really a stand alone thing in themselves, but rather motorised bicycles.
Man, I am jsut thinking what kind of shenanigans one could do with some RC-Aircraft engine, radial, rotary, boxer v12 whatever, its just that the engine is blowing the whole budget in this case.
Anyone have any experience with Front engine RWD cycle karts? I know it adds complexity & weight but cmon My Current 3D design has a predator 212 situated longitudinaly driving a peerless lawnmower transmission in the rear with driveshaft and CVT belt transmission
I enjoy this channel and your motorcycle channel so I offer this as constructive criticism: you pronounce “both” with an L and F, i.e. “boLF.” As a communicator, I figured you may want to know this.
I have to say, cyclekarting looks AMAZING! - I live in the NW (Eastern Oregon) and I'd build my own in a heartbeat if i could get a few other people to do so. LOL. So cool. :D
As a boy when I was first "told" of these, I misheard it and for years thought these were "psycho-cars" (To this day, my ears still hear psycho & not cycle)
I've never seen mention of a GN with friction drive transmition, they were, however, notable for their use of chain and dog clutch gear change mechanism. There were cyclecars that used friction drive, probably the most successful being GWK.
My small town in the USA used to make a cyclecar from 1913-1915. 12 hp v twin with a friction gearbox. There is one of the 300 built known to exist still
I have a wrecked (not by me thankfully) 2001 Honda CB600f, the front forks and frame Is messed up but the bike has less than 2k miles on it and the engine runs perfect. I’ve been learning CAD software to eventually be able to build a 3 wheeler car around the rear half of this bike. It won’t be quite s as light since I’m going for a 2 seater, but that little 599cc engine puts out almost 100hp. But, only 40ftlb of torque, so I’m still shooting for under 800lb or so. I’ve been working on cars and (mainly) old bikes for years, so I’ve been yearning for that next step of building car for a long time.
Great topic/vid! I'm fascinated by small, quirky home built cars like these. I've made some odd creations myself. I'd love to find a group doing cars like this in the midwest usa.
man i want to build one of these with an inline twin 2 stroke motor and maybe design it like a 60s GP car rather than a late 30s GP car, wider tires too, i basically just want a lotus 49 built for shriners
Very accurate description of the Cyclekart movement. Thank you!
Honestly, I wish there was a way to add cyclecars to larger soapbox derby events and have a "double feature" where the cyclecars do a hillclimb
This is the kind of car that is needed today. But people buy 2.5 tonne, 500 hp electric SUVs with tax benefits.
Well said. Absolutely right you are.
I agree. There are a number of alternative venicle designs that deserve to make a comeback with modern materials and drive trains. Simple, cheap Micro cars, and even motor assisted pedal cars, designed to get one or two people from A to B over the short distances many of them regularly travel. They will never completely replace the need for full sized cars, but they could be an alternative to people who don't want to use traditional motorcycles or bicycles. The Citroën Ami is a modern example, but as with many small scale projects, the purchase costs are too high to encourage take up.
I'll take a modern hatchback with crumple zones and a boot over this, thanks!
Not true, I buy 2.5 tonne, 500 hp petrol and diesel SUVs with high yearly taxes.
@@GERntleMAN
While I detest your taste in cars, I applaud your choice for not pocketing my taxes.
My Cyclecar is about half way done.
Congrats on the unicycle! 😂
Uuuuhhh... I think you need to check your math.
I love the term hooligan vehicle, I think that should be used as a class of vehicle from manufacturers 3:50
I can not ignore the role of the great Dennis Thomas when it comes to the introduction of cycle karts to the World. 😊
Just finished my first Cyclekart!! I call it the "Maytag RIP Special" and based it on the "Morgan RIP Special"!! It is the more fun than you can imagine and I built mine with all repurposed stuff so cost me less than $800!!
Nice job on bridging the historic gap between CycleCars and the CycleKarts that we build and enjoy today.
Cyclekarts look like a blast! Think I just found a new hobby!
Releasing a video on cyclecars/karts right now, as a friend and I are making plans on how to build our 2 cyclekarts, it's peak timing !
Convient timing for me too, I just visited the motorcycle junkyard for the wheels for my first cyclekart
The cycle Carts come with the advent of the Anzani Motor.
William Stout was the tech advisor for our Illinois Model Aeroclub from 1911 to 10014
Now you made me want to build my own cyclecar. :D
I'm a little surprised that you never mentioned the Austin Seven, especially the two seater sports models. The Seven was made in various forms from 1923 -39 which many people consider to be after the cycle car era had ended. However, it had all of the attributes of a cycle car and was part of that bridge from bike to car. It had a production of 290,000 vehicles. I think the Seven was probably a "crossover" style vehicle in mass production , at least in the UK. The seven was an incredible vehicle that helped in spawning many other brands including BMW and Jaguar and was exported all over the world...
I thought I recognised one of them - then I saw it was my video clip! It sits right at home here! I actually work in the company that started out making them. Great video.
PLEASE do a video on CycleKART racing haha. It’s like a smaller modern version and people build/race them.
Edit: I got further into the video. Awesome 🤣🤘
Always great content Bart! So, when are you starting on your cyclekart?
I started working on a wooden vintage style soapbox with the kids but no cyclekart yet!
2 second hand step-throughs, 20 sheets of thin plywood, 5 cans paint = Segrave's 'Golden Arrow' - by next weekend!!! : )
Ah - so the kei car makes sense now!
Hear me out though, put a small block V8 on the cycle cart.
gonna spin the wheels bald immediately
Now I want to build one
Not much info around on cycle cars, so good work posting a video. I do, however, think the perspective here is a bit corrupted by a modern point of view.
In the early days of motoring there were two thoughts on how to build cars. The first was similar to how they built wagons. The second was similar to how they build bicycles.
So really up until about the mid-war point Cyclecars were just as legitimate of an idea of what a car was, as what we currently see as a car. Buick. for example was an example of a manufacturer that believed in cyclecars. The french had a whole class of cars for them and that kicked off in the 1800s
In the 30s what we now see as cars became much more the norm and after WW2 cycle cars became more of a hobby for people. But from the 1880 up until about 1930 the the cycle car was just one of two ideas of a what a car should look like. the idea that people thought "here's a car and here's a motorcycle, let mash the two", is a modern perspective looking back. Back then motorcycles weren't really a stand alone thing in themselves, but rather motorised bicycles.
Man, I am jsut thinking what kind of shenanigans one could do with some RC-Aircraft engine, radial, rotary, boxer v12 whatever, its just that the engine is blowing the whole budget in this case.
Velorex is my favourite great stuff.
In India ,the first cycle car was manufactured and tested in the year 1927 in Kolkata/Calcutta by a follower of Mahatma Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.
Wow! That limits the pool down to 600 million people. Any guesses who the person was?
I like these things.... but no they don't "Sit low to the ground or drive like go-carts".
4:40 Those cylinders... What kind of stroke does that thing have?
Anyone have any experience with Front engine RWD cycle karts?
I know it adds complexity & weight but cmon
My Current 3D design has a predator 212 situated longitudinaly driving a peerless lawnmower transmission in the rear with driveshaft and CVT belt transmission
It's the quadri cycle car.
I enjoy this channel and your motorcycle channel so I offer this as constructive criticism: you pronounce “both” with an L and F, i.e. “boLF.” As a communicator, I figured you may want to know this.
did you own one or ever drive one...
I'm not sure you said "cyclecar" enough...
No one laughs at a vanderhall..or a stryker
I want a cycle car :(
Where are the amilcar haha
Nooo ... I can get into another hobby!
I have to say, cyclekarting looks AMAZING! - I live in the NW (Eastern Oregon) and I'd build my own in a heartbeat if i could get a few other people to do so. LOL. So cool. :D
As a boy when I was first "told" of these, I misheard it and for years thought these were "psycho-cars" (To this day, my ears still hear psycho & not cycle)
I've never seen mention of a GN with friction drive transmition, they were, however, notable for their use of chain and dog clutch gear change mechanism. There were cyclecars that used friction drive, probably the most successful being GWK.
"GWK" = "Goes With a Knock" 😏
We need a modern street legal version thats cheap to buy.
My small town in the USA used to make a cyclecar from 1913-1915. 12 hp v twin with a friction gearbox. There is one of the 300 built known to exist still
I have a wrecked (not by me thankfully) 2001 Honda CB600f, the front forks and frame Is messed up but the bike has less than 2k miles on it and the engine runs perfect. I’ve been learning CAD software to eventually be able to build a 3 wheeler car around the rear half of this bike. It won’t be quite s as light since I’m going for a 2 seater, but that little 599cc engine puts out almost 100hp. But, only 40ftlb of torque, so I’m still shooting for under 800lb or so. I’ve been working on cars and (mainly) old bikes for years, so I’ve been yearning for that next step of building car for a long time.
I was going to do the same with a 66 Honda 305 5 speed engine/trans I have lying around. I'm thinking rear engine powered.
Utah has a good sized cyclekart community they even have a yearly Grand Prix.
8:17 That spec sheet is just hilarious 🤣
Great topic/vid! I'm fascinated by small, quirky home built cars like these. I've made some odd creations myself. I'd love to find a group doing cars like this in the midwest usa.
Vinson was wearing a "This Old Tony' Tee shirt! How incredibly cool!!!
I hate the gay rules they put on cyclekarts it takes all the fun out of it by having those stupid rules
man i want to build one of these with an inline twin 2 stroke motor and maybe design it like a 60s GP car rather than a late 30s GP car, wider tires too, i basically just want a lotus 49 built for shriners
The Pembleton T24 is my dream car.
Twitchy
Cycle Kart Wii! :D
Yep, looks like fun.
cool.
I love antique motorcycles and cars but man i just cannot get into these
You should try losing weight. Would likely make getting into one of these easier.