3. BUY VINTAGE: Why not Buy a Cyclemotor?

Why not Buy a Cyclemotor?

This auction has some interesting and rare cyclemotors for sale. I’ve collected obscure examples over many years. I’m particular about what I buy and trust my instincts.

Mopeds, cyclemotors and small scooters are becoming increasingly popular. When you’re on a 1940’s / 1950’s cyclemotor, it feels like you’re riding one of the earliest pioneer machines from 1910. Manufactured for only a brief time in the late forties and early fifties, cyclemotors represent a lost era.

Like other vintage vehicles they’re really jumping in price, so now’s definitely the time to get one. Not only a better return than money in the bank – but you can ride your investment, and involve the whole family when you take it to summer fetes, shows or steam rallies!

Best of all, they’re ideal vintage bikes to start with if you’re just getting into the hobby because they’re cheap, easy to ride and, based around a bicycle, much easier to maintain. Also, they have pedals in case you break down… 🙂

Pictured above is the rarest of a rare breed. This American 1918 Smith Motorwheel is in superb unrestored condition and is attached to a restored Iver Johnson Truss-bridge Bicycle. (Motorwheel – Page 2 in the auction catalogue PLEASE CLICK HERE). UPDATE: The Smith attachment has now been posted off to New Zealand (though I kept the Iver Johnson bicycle).

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HONDA STEP-THROUGH

At the other end of the spectrum of practicality is a 1978 Honda C70 (below). It’s newer than most of my bikes, but Honda Stepthroughs are reliable commuter bikes, and I try to have at least one C70, C90, C50 or C100 for sale. It’s a usable good-looking machine MOT’d and ready to go.

(Honda C70 – Page 90 in the auction catalogue: PLEASE CLICK HERE)

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MOBYLETTE SPORTS

If you fancy something older and rarer than a Honda, but nevertheless completely usable, below you’ll see a 1971 Motobecane Sports Moped SP93. These have achieved cult status in France, and this one runs well and is not expensive.

(Motobecane Sports – Page 92 in the auction catalogue: PLEASE CLICK HERE)

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VELOSOLEX

Another very reliable model of cyclemotor is the Velosolex. As one of my top restorers is in France, I try to ensure a regular supply of Solexes to satisfy my customers. You can browse the main page of this website to see what’s on offer at the moment. One of the more obscure Velosolex models I currently have is this rare 1967 Solex Triporteur (three-wheeler) which is well-built and runs well.

(1967 Velosolex 3800 Triporteur – Page 91 in the auction catalogue: PLEASE CLICK HERE)

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CYCLEMASTER

Or how about a Cyclemaster? Because of the Online Cyclemaster Museum, I usually have one of these for sale. The Cyclemaster below, which I’ve owned since 2004, is in excellent running order.

(1951 Cyclemaster – Page 47 in the auction catalogue: PLEASE CLICK HERE)

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REX

Not so well-known in Great Britain, but nevertheless a wonderful piece of kit with totally prehistoric appearance, the German Rex cycle-attachment engine is one of the most practical cyclemotors to own and run. That’s mainly because of the superb engineering and excellent spares availability. It was also sold in Britain as the Cyclaid (where it was fitted to the rear wheel), but it’s unusual to see the original spec machine on British roads.

(1951 Rex FM34 – Page 152 in the auction catalogue: PLEASE CLICK HERE)

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Of course, my stock changes regularly. I have to scour Europe to keep my customers supplied with obscure interesting machines. But that’s an example of the type of machine I sell, mechanically restored and ready for you to use.

Most of my cyclemotors in this auction are ready to jump on and ride, but there are occasionally restoration projects too. A typical enthusiast restores a bike in the winter, and then takes it with the family to local steam rallies and shows in the summer. It’s a great way to get your kids interested in a hobby, whether they help you with simple mechanical tasks, paintwork or just riding the bikes around the parade ground at a show. If they’re only ridden around a showground the bikes obviously do not need to be insured, MOT’d or even registered.

Some of my friends restore small machines for their wives or girlfriends to use. Let’s face it, convincing the ‘other half’ to go to a motorcycle event can sometimes be hard work; shows can be boring. But a group effort – and the promise of a picnic in the sun at a summer event – helps a lot.

You can usually ride an under-50cc moped (sometimes under 125cc) on a car license. I can recommend a good insurance broker. Unregistered machines will require registering at DVLA, for which you simply join one of the clubs. There are three national clubs that cater for cyclemotors – all offer excellent support to make sure you keep your machine on the road.

If you’re new to cyclemotoring, I’m happy to help you work out what type of machine suits you best and provide all the contacts to get you started…

CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT:
If you have any enquiries about the vehicles in these auctions,
Colin is available to help you between 9am and 7pm daily on 07866-126469
or please email as below