Sinclair C5

DIscuss anything relating to non-standard cycles and their equipment.
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Punk_shore
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Joined: 20 Jan 2007, 2:26pm
Location: Haslemere, Surrey, GB
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Re: Sinclair C5

Post by Punk_shore »

Anything which required a change in the law to allow it to be used on pavements surely did not have a market :o . For "ahead of its time" read "prototype which escaped from the laboratory".

I wonder what Sir Clive's market research budget was for the C5 :shock: ?

Does anyone remember the Ariel-3 motor-tricycle?

P.
What is the colour(s) of your cycle?
Which of its benefits would you recommend?
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DaveP
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Location: W Mids

Re: Sinclair C5

Post by DaveP »

Punk_shore wrote:Does anyone remember the Ariel-3 motor-tricycle?


Yes (hastens to add, Never had/wanted one!)

Thought about these recently - theres a local business selling Chinese made bikes etc. They have a similiar tricycle out front, the difference being that their version has a full hoop windshield, ie up, over the top and back down to the rear lights. Dread to think what it would be like in a cross wind!
Trying to retain enough fitness to grow old disgracefully... That hasn't changed!
saudidave
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Joined: 16 Jan 2009, 12:22am

Re: Sinclair C5

Post by saudidave »

Punk_shore wrote:Anything which required a change in the law to allow it to be used on pavements surely did not have a market :o . For "ahead of its time" read "prototype which escaped from the laboratory".

I wonder what Sir Clive's market research budget was for the C5 :shock: ?

Does anyone remember the Ariel-3 motor-tricycle?

P.


Ariel 3 - I remember it well. If I'm not mistaken it was 50 cc and was hinged so that the front wheel banked on corners whilst the rear wheels stayed on the ground
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Swizz69
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Joined: 3 Aug 2008, 12:25am
Location: Hyde

Re: Sinclair C5

Post by Swizz69 »

Anyone see this one thursday?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00n5b92/Micro_Men/

Not really aimed at the C5 but a brill bit of telly for Sinclair fans :)
colin54
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Joined: 24 Sep 2013, 4:34pm

Re: Sinclair C5

Post by colin54 »

I was just watching this short video (10 1/2 min) about a Sinclair C5 today and wondered if it had ever been discussed on the forum before, so an ancient thread resurrected. A bit of history and a look at the design, then a short test (on a too crowded sea-front).
The tester normally comments on old cars. Quite interesting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnmequMqlnA
The only ones I ever saw were sat outside of shops with adverts propped on them, way back in the 80's & 90's
These could perhaps be modified to make them a bit more useful with recent improvements in battery/motor technology.
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colin54
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Joined: 24 Sep 2013, 4:34pm

Re: Sinclair C5

Post by colin54 »

I'd not seen that, thanks. It looks like the last person in the comments did that very thing (souping up an old one).
The old C5 looks a perfect platform for a bit of tinkering.
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drossall
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Location: North Hertfordshire

Re: Sinclair C5

Post by drossall »

Many years ago we used to have town-centre races. I'm sure there was a Sinclair C5 category at least one year.
Bonzo Banana
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Joined: 5 Feb 2017, 11:58am

Re: Sinclair C5

Post by Bonzo Banana »

I was sent the C5 brochure from Sinclair many years ago and think I still have it somewhere. I read that brochure from start to finish and was really interested in the C5 but couldn't afford one and to be honest even if I had the money I probably wouldn't have bought one I think there was a lot of negativity at the time in the press soon after launch and seemed destined to fail.

I think the design would have been better as a conventional bicycle with 2 wheels with the battery low on the frame and perhaps a Sinclair branded fairing to give it a more futuristic look. Maybe something a bit more like the Raleigh Vektar but for adults and with a motor. I feel the concept could have worked quite well if a bit more time was spent on it.

I see on ebay/aliexpress there is a cheap ebike kit where you get a brushed motor and you supply your own lead acid battery. Pretty much the basis for the C5.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/114704710101

Fit it to a Giant Revive and you have the basis of a 2 wheel version with the lead acid battery on the rack at the back.

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