RUMCars Forum
General Category => Unusual Microcar Discussion => Topic started by: Bambyman on August 29, 2006, 10:10:14 AM
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Hi All, i hope someone might be able to help. I have a 1985 Bamby with a Suzuki Roadie (D) 50cc engine. When i bought the car it had just 44 miles on it. I am only able to do short distances of maybe a quarter of a mile (at the most), then the engine seems to over heat and cut out. Could anyone tell me if the Bamby ever really ran with any efficiency on a Suzuki roadie engine. I've had the back wheel off the ground and ran it for a few miles without a prob ha haa (great at going nowhere) but is the car just to big for the engine ? Or is there a possibility that this engine can be tweeked Regards Bambyman
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Hi. When we ran our Bamby ditching the 50cc roadie was the best thing we ever did, in my view it just wasnt up to the job, the makers should never have used this motor not because it was 50cc but because it has that automatic gear box, it was a rubbish motor even in the scooter it was designed for. If you want to seriously use the car a change to a motor using a variable belt type transmission is needed, we used the 80cc suzuki of the same period but I still think that a 50cc one would still do the job. My self and another Bamby owner tryed using a 125 but it caused too much vibration and was too powerful , remember the car was only designed to go 25/28 mph. If you decide to stick with the roadie engine [dont !] I have a haynes manual for it that you are welcome to. Just let me know if you want it. Regards, Bob P
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Hi,
Quite agree with bobbybubble. The Roadie 49cc engine is not up too the job, the 79cc version however was better but was never popular so would be very difficult to find now. The Mk11 Bamby with its heavy steel chassis, forklift seat and glass windows is just to heavy for the engine to propel. The weakest points are the auto gearbox and the engine mounts. A modern scooter engine/drive would make a big difference. I know of one Bamby that has a 125cc engine but it has never been reliable due to over heating as the engine is tucked away out of the airflow and the fan struggles to cool it.
Where are all the Bambys now ?, never seen one for many years. Are they all tucked away in collections until they are considered 'desirable' ? Jean mentioned some time ago that there were only a handful on the Register so what has happen to the other 45+ ?.
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It sounds like something electrical breaking down due to overheating if it'll run well (within reason) under no-load conditions. If you can't source a CS80 from a scrappy - or the Devil's web site, eBay - you might try improving the cooling with a supplementary 12v fan. Good luck! Nick D.
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The suzuki roadie 50cc is now difficult to find but the 80cc version is near impossible as far few were built or sold. The ideal engine swap for the Bamby should'nt be over 100cc and must be fitted with a good fan as the engine gets very little natural cooling where it is located. The chassis will also need modifications to take the engine mount sof the new engine and the wiring modified to accept the new unit. Even after all these upgrades you might still be disapointed by the handling and brakes. :(
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The Suzuki CP80 scooter engine with CV belt transmission pops straight in [ no modification to the chassis] but again proberbly hard to find now. If you get a chance to go to the Bubblecar museum at Bahards Leap you can see our old Bamby with this engine fitted, I think we just had to change the mudgaurd and I think make an exhaust bracket. Let us know how you get on. Regards, Bob P
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Well it worked for us!
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Yes it has electric start.
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Yeh, these things cant be hurried, wait for a complete scooter if you can, we found one for a hundred pounds which gave us everything we needed for the conversion. I hope you are not expecting too much of the Bamby when you have sorted out the power unit, the handling and braking are attrocious and the rear end tends to snake from side to side as you go along! Bear in mind that this car was designed and built by a painter and decorator not an engineer!! I dont wish to pour cold water on the project but dont expect too much, this is why there are more in museums than on the road. Having said all that, I still like them!!
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50p ;D
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There was a nice black Bamby complete in good condition with a second new factory body shell and running gear advertised in Classic Car weekly 2 weeks ago for £1000. When I rang up a week later the guy had sold the lot for £550 as there was little interest.
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As far as I am aware the black Bamby advertised in Classic car weekly was totally original and still had its Suzuki Roadie 50cc engine fitted. A Bamby could be bought new in Black, White, Red (more like orange),Yellow and Blue. I will give you a £1 for it !! :D
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Dont buy the Honda! Buy a 1950s Italian lightweight and live a little! Such sporting pedegree, Such styling, such engineering genious, such rubbish electrics!!!
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They do a good pizza!
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Nick, your supplementary fan idea is the one. Thanks for that. Kev gettin on with things
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The Bamby was fitted with a small car type battery as the electrical output required is more than the Roadie moped. The Bamby Mk11 has twin headlights and all had twin rear lights so this would put more strain on a standard moped battery.
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Hi All,
Have a look at www.mdsbattery.co.uk They have batteries for almost everything! Including 12v VARTA batteries for motorcycles etc., various sizes and amperages. Hope this helps. Bob. ;D
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You need a small car battery, somthing like a reliant battery amphours is not so important so long as its a car one and fits .
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Bob Cotton wrote a very detailed article on the Bamby in RUMCAR NEWS Sprinng 1993 as he prepared one for his for his son to drive. He lists all sorts of bits and pieces he found for it. Try making contact with him at bobcotton2000@yahoo.com he is still a great enthusiast and I am sure he will help if he can. Failing that Alan Evans is still around but I am afraid I don't have his current email contact. Jean
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About the speedo cable, you can get one made up if you have a pattern by either Johnston cables or Speedy cables. You can find the addresses on the net.
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That issue is out of print I am afraid but I will send you a photocopy of the article.
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Thanks Jean, got the post. Story is a bit sad, but, it needant have been. It looks like finances were the only problem. With the right backing i still think that the job could be a small success. Especially with some of todays standards of engine and production. I refuse to write the project off. It does seem it was a 'project'. But, professional manurfacturers could produce a similar cars with thier better insight and knowledge on the work load.
I hope it inspires someone!
Cable is beening proccessed.
Thanks Bambyman
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Bambyman,
I get Newsround.
I've just read part one of the Peel story. Fantastic piece. Mirrors the talk that Mr Gelling gave at the school in July '06. I just noticed if you look hard enough at the Two Strokes P50 ad showing DMH500A you'll see another unreg'd P50 sitting in the showroom. Wonder if it lives? We'll never know. It could be EME.
Part two is all about the P50. Part three the Trident. I can't wait!
I also hope to be taking both my Peels to Peel next July 22nd. Seems it's now the yearly Peel get-together.
Top stuff
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Hi P50, yeah, the Peel Rally is moving on really. It took off when Gordon brought his P50 over 3 rallies ago. The the knockon was 20 Peels the next year and the stamps this last year along with 8 Peels. It would be good for Peels to get together every year.The late Henry Kissacks daughter is supposed to be bringing her Viking Sport next year, i just hope that Mr. Hanson brings his as well.
I also hope that our next project can be unveiled at the 2007 (the platform and coach).
Wish i could get Bamby running for it aswell. Its having a job firering up...and starting a new job soon so my time is going to be really taken up. Bambyman
what do you think of the yamaha dragstar?
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It's easy for Mr Hanson to attend the rally's as he's an inhabitant of the island! Since the steampacket company has been taken over it seems prices have really leaped to come over from the mainland. Thieves!
Nonetheless I'll try my best to take the Peels over in '07
I've just Googled the Yamaha dragstar. Not really my bag. looks like a harley type of machine. I like bonsai machinery..
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It's easy for Mr Hanson to attend the rally's as he's an inhabitant of the island! Since the steampacket company has been taken over it seems prices have really leaped to come over from the mainland. Thieves!
Nonetheless I'll try my best to take the Peels over in '07
I've just Googled the Yamaha dragstar. Not really my bag. looks like a harley type of machine. I like bonsai machinery..
PRICES LEAPT UP! JUST LIKE PEELS THEN.
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This is true. Not quite up to Christies heights though.
Best you start saving ;D
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Yeah he's a resident, but, the year before Gordon brought his P50 over, N Hanson was going to bring his P50 and Trident and then pulled out at the last minute. He said he didn't want to get them wet...now the local press are in on it though, adds to the occasion and he's been to the last 3.....just hope it doesn't rain in 2007
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This is true. Not quite up to Christies heights though.
Best you start saving ;D
I don't want any more. Two was enough in 1976. MHX 90C & EME 583B.