Identifying an old electric bike.

[Steel sanders]

hi, just wondering if anybody can help me to identify an old electric bike or maybe point me in the direction of someone who may be able to help me. We've had it for 20 years we bought it from a man who's no longer with is, he told us it was made in the 50s/60s in Solihull, Birmingham and that it was made to fit in your boot and be used as a town bike. We haven't a clue as to who made it as there are no markings on the bike. Iv attached some pictures any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Nealh]

I can help you there, it was built by Capt Pugwash. Looks like a working prop from a 60/70's tv show or the like.

Any way it's not an electric bike as it has no pedals , it is an electric scooter/moped and not legal.
There's a label on one side with some writing on.

 

[LeighPing]

Ebikes have come a long way since the fifties haven't they. Thanks for the pics.

 

[flecc]

Not a clue who made it, but can't help thinking it might only have been a prototype that was never sold.

My reasoning is based in there being nowhere to put one's feet. Putting them on the platform with that low seat would not only have been very difficult but also the legs would stop the handlebars being turned.
.

 

[LeighPing]

any help would be greatly appreciated.

Would you mind writing down what that sticker, and any other useful info, or markings says please. Maybe there'll be some clues there.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

I'd say that those are just the brackets for the footrests and the actual footrests are missing.

I'd say that it's not a one-off. It was built for a purpose. If we had the missing piece from behind the seat, it might be more obvious. It could be from an amusement park ride or something like that.

 

[Steel sanders]

I'd say that those are just the brackets for the footrests and the actual footrests are missing.

I'd say that it's not a one-off. It was built for a purpose. If we had the missing piece from behind the seat, it might be more obvious. It could be from an amusement park ride or something like that.

Yes I believe there was a tray bolted to those pegs which would of been the foot rest, it's an interesting bike it's got a proper throttle and a powerful motor we used it as kids but bypassed the throttle and used a button but it was very powerful without the throttle we have all the switch gears and electrics in a bag but never fitted them back onto the bike because when my dad bought it it was just for us to have a mess with. I stated that it was made in Solihull but I got that wrong it was sellyoak.

 

[Steel sanders]

Would you mind writing down what that sticker, and any other useful info, or markings says please. Maybe there'll be some clues there.

Hi the sticker was just something we stuck on as kids, we've looked round the bike but can't find any markings. When my dad bought it he didn't really ask much about it as he bought it for us to mess around on, he wishes he asked more questions now which is why I joined this site to try finding out for him.

 

[Steel sanders]

I'd say that those are just the brackets for the footrests and the actual footrests are missing.

I'd say that it's not a one-off. It was built for a purpose. If we had the missing piece from behind the seat, it might be more obvious. It could be from an amusement park ride or something like that.

The hole in the lid behind the seat is actually there as inside the frame there's a handle attached to the motor for lifting the bike up.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Although it's convenient to lift it by that handle thing, why would you want to? I think it's more likely that it's a strong-point to attach whatever went behind the seat. If I had designed that bike and I wanted a lifting handle, I'd have put one on the outside on the top right at the back.

Also, if you follow the line of the front deck, it doesn't line up with the rear deck. It would be a lot easier to make the pattern for the mould if it did, so there's a reason that it's lower.

Another thing I just noticed: the main orange moulding is curved in many directions. That means that it was made in a splittable mould. That doesn't sound like the sort of thing an amateur would make and it probably means that they were thinking of some production quantity.