Hi from Brentwood

[Diesel Dave]

Just a quick intro.

I'm a long time motorcyclist (even a diesel - hence the moniker), including a pair of Velosolex'. For those not acquainted these are basically a bicycle with a 2 stroke motor that rubs a roller against the front wheel for propulsion. So they make about 18mph on the flat and yes you need registration plates, insurance and a helmet......

So there are 2 parts to my Pedelec interest:

1) I want to add a rear hub motor to one of the Velosolex to make a hybrid....
2) I have an old 24v rear hub motored Pedelec sans battery and charger that I need to recommission.

Kindest Regards
Dave

 

[Gaz]

Hello Dave

Hybrid technology eh!

I can remember trying a Velosolex round my parent's back garden in the late '70's. Weird but fun.

Gaz

 

[Deleted member 4366]

You can't fit a rear motor because of the drum brake. It looks like a non-standard bottom bracket, which rules out a crank-drive, so that leaves only a front motor. Your rim has 28 holes, but most motors are 36 holes, so you won't be able to use your original rim. Does the brake work with other rims?

Anything is possible if you have the fabrication skills, but this isn't going to be a case of fitting a standard kit.

 

[Diesel Dave]

Ah but nowt's easy in this world that's worth doing....

It's true that the 3800 Velosolex models have a rear drum brake but earlier models didn't and I have a 1963 2200 model as well to play with.

Yes rims are normally 28 hole but you can get 36 hole rims, this is what I did for the front to convert to a Sturmey front drum brake with dynohub on the front of the 3800:

Also I have managed to acquire a spectacularly cheap (read free) Pedelec without battery or charger that has a lowly 24v rear hub motor but it does have a disk brake so that may be one solution.

If anyone has an idea of what battery type would fit this particular frame I would be most grateful.

Whilst on the subject of batteries I have managed to lay my hands on 200 new Samsung 18650-30A 2F74 cells to make up a few batteries but as yet don't have a tab welder...

Onwards and upwards

 

[4bound]

Just a quick intro.

I'm a long time motorcyclist (even a diesel - hence the moniker), including a pair of Velosolex'. For those not acquainted these are basically a bicycle with a 2 stroke motor that rubs a roller against the front wheel for propulsion. So they make about 18mph on the flat and yes you need registration plates, insurance and a helmet......

So there are 2 parts to my Pedelec interest:

1) I want to add a rear hub motor to one of the Velosolex to make a hybrid....
2) I have an old 24v rear hub motored Pedelec sans battery and charger that I need to recommission.

Kindest Regards
Dave

I would have thought that to keep this machine legal, you would enter a minefield of Type Approval issues, plus Insurance Issues and finish up with something that does nothing particularly well. Have you considered just getting rid of your dirty diesel and getting a decent electric bike? Then you don't need registration plates and insurance is much cheaper and optional.

 

[craiggor]

For all your cells you may want to look at the vruzend battery holder kit. Search here and on endless sphere Diy 18650 battery kit. The kit is like Lego/Meccano no spot welding. I think you will be able to run your motor on 36v. Are you aware from May next year all pre 1977 vehicles become MOT exempt as well as tax exempt ? I have heard that if you radically modify or increase the power by 15% they will lose their exemption.Don't know how they are going to police this. Some people like to take their MOT exempt vehicles for an MOT for peace of mind. Rumour has it they will be told to flag any modified vehicles. I don't know if adding a motor to your velosolex will break any of the rules. I would start with asking your insurance company if they would insure it.

Sent from my T1005 using Tapatalk

 

[Diesel Dave]

Thanks for the replies chaps, sadly I'm very familiar with the requirements for modified machines - pretty much every bike I have is modified and therefore requires specialist insurance cover.

I was aware of the MOT changes, but was awaiting the publication of the guidance document as this would detail what is meant by 'Radically Modified' as this is the wording used in the ruling as to whether an MOT would still be required or not. It's important to me as 2 of my motorcycles would/may fall into the MOT exemption.

Velosolex' are fine on the flat and are self limited to just over 18mph, where they suffer is on hills where an extra boost (commonly referred to as Light Pedal Assistance) is required - this is where I'm hoping that an electric hub motor would come in to play. I'm not as fit as I was years ago when I would compete in Audax cycle rides.

Onwards and Upwards

 

[anotherkiwi]

Velosolex' are fine on the flat and are self limited to just over 18mph, where they suffer is on hills where an extra boost (commonly referred to as Light Pedal Assistance) is required - this is where I'm hoping that an electric hub motor would come in to play. I'm not as fit as I was years ago when I would compete in Audax cycle rides.

Unless you take them apart and modify the ports and increase the compression ratio by filing a bit off the cylinder head. Who would do that? ... You can also run them for a short time using moped 2 stroke mix which contains less oil and makes bigger bangs than the recommended "Solexene" mix ratio. The motor does get a little warm

Mine was good for 45 km/h (28 m.p.h.) on the flat. On the hills you just need to push real hard on the motor lift bar Front tyre needs changing quite frequently after you do that.

 

[Diesel Dave]

As you say - who would do such a thing......

 

[Deleted member 4366]

I'm not sure what the real question is, if there is one, so it's not easy to give an answer.