I really don't know what this is or what it once may have been??

oldtom

Esteemed Pedelecer
I saw this parked outside a pizzeria in southern Spain and thought it was a moped first off. On looking closer, there is no engine nor any electric motor to be seen.

I noted the unusual front suspension arrangement and an old-fashioned front dynamo feeding a front lamp with some crude wiring apparently through or under the 'fuel tank' and leading to a rear mudguard-mounted light.

It is a single-speed geared bike but I'm not at all sure what is going on there.

Any ideas?

IMG_1681 2.jpg

Tom
 
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flecc

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Oct 25, 2006
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It's probably an American or American styled youngsters bike. Youngsters in the USA often like bicycles to have motorcycle features such as dummy petrol tanks, large headlights etc. The quite full chainguard is typical too. Some minor US makers have had them in their standard bicycle ranges, though it seems to be less in fashion now.

Because this one has a diamond frame with no cruiser characterics, I suspect it's a style copy made in Europe rather than an American produced one.
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oldtom

Esteemed Pedelecer
I suspect it's a style copy made in Europe rather than an American produced one.
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Thanks 'flecc'. I thought you might be able to pop up with an explanation and ID the machine for me.

That fits perfectly with my inability to understand its purpose, being neither one thing nor the other and it really doesn't look like an old i/c engined moped converted. Actually, it did look to me to be a fairly modern bike with the ancient tyre-contact dynamo and lighting probably there to assist with a kind of retro-look, rather than to perform any great illumination duty.

I should be surprised if it is actually used as a conveyance, thinking it's more a feature for the eatery as old bikes, particularly utility machines have become almost de rigueur for certain small businesses in recent times.

Tom
 
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RobF

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mike killay

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Feb 17, 2011
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There were a couple of this style at the vintage pedal cycle part of the Beale Park Boat Show last weekend.
One was a girl's bike with the 'tank' on the down tube.
Just a fashion blast from the past.