RUMCars Forum

General Category => Sales & Auctions => Topic started by: blob on March 04, 2008, 10:08:57 am

Title: Solex 3 wheeler?
Post by: blob on March 04, 2008, 10:08:57 am

What is it? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/solex-race-surfer-three-wheeler-moped-vintage-velesolex_W0QQitemZ300204016502QQihZ020QQcategoryZ122298QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Title: Re: Solex 3 wheeler?
Post by: Jawmedead on March 04, 2008, 10:30:11 am

Don't know. It's not listed anymore!

Title: Re: Solex 3 wheeler?
Post by: blob on March 04, 2008, 12:00:48 pm

Aww that's a pity! It looked like a sledge but with the engine and one large wheel to the rear with two small wheels at the front, you sit with your feet forward with a lever either side, built in France circa 1965. Maybe it'll get relisted, it was an interesting contraption.

Title: Re: Solex 3 wheeler?
Post by: Peelpower on March 04, 2008, 12:23:59 pm

Quote from: Jawmedead on March 04, 2008, 10:30:11 am

Don't know. It's not listed anymore!

Does anybody kept a picture of it??

Title: Re: Solex 3 wheeler?
Post by: Jawmedead on March 04, 2008, 01:21:47 pm

I found this on a Velosolex site.

 http://solexin.free.fr/us/history/histo/index.html

Would this be it?

(http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z28/robbie-dee-photos/surf_racer.jpg)

Title: Re: Solex 3 wheeler?
Post by: blob on March 04, 2008, 02:10:03 pm

Yes, Jawmedead that's it! Though the illustration makes appear a little simplified.

Title: Re: Solex 3 wheeler?
Post by: Dan Rodd on March 04, 2008, 03:45:28 pm

i have a few pictures and ads for the surfracer in my solex archive somewhere,i will have to dig them out!

Title: Re: Solex 3 wheeler?
Post by: AndrewG on March 04, 2008, 04:48:23 pm

Or this (same thing but going the other way)?

(http://www.automag.be/IMG/jpg/Petochons_Bourbonnais.jpg)

Andrew

Title: Re: Solex 3 wheeler?
Post by: blob on March 04, 2008, 06:09:55 pm

Great pic Andrew, however it appears the Surf Racer has been relisted: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/velosolex-race-surfer-three-wheeler_W0QQitemZ300204321613QQihZ020QQcategoryZ122306QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem  ;D

Title: Re: Solex 3 wheeler?
Post by: inacoma on March 04, 2008, 08:28:16 pm

Hi

Great item.

I recognise the seat, it's been knicked from the local comp.

John

Title: Re: Solex 3 wheeler?
Post by: burford57 on March 11, 2008, 08:15:54 am

Fascinating machine!  They were built for a race series in 1968 by Jean-Paul Dudouyt in Labenne, Landes.
The reverse levers are the brakes and it's steered by leaning - just like a skateboard.  The front wheels
pivot around a central fixing point.  To start it you push it along and jump on board when the engine
fires.  The seat looks original according to my Solex book although I see where the local comp reference
is coming from!

Around 200-300 were sold in France with the US, Saudi Arabia and Japan among other countries taking
a few more.

Nick D.

Title: Re: Solex 3 wheeler?
Post by: blob on March 11, 2008, 04:45:00 pm

Hi Nick, what about acceleration? I thought one of the handles must an accelerator.

Title: Re: Solex 3 wheeler?
Post by: burford57 on March 11, 2008, 06:37:30 pm

In the standard Solex set-up the normal operating condition of the engine is "full chat"!
Some of the later ones had a rudimentary twist-grip throttle on the right hand grip but
cyclemotors of this age would be slowed by applying the front brake.  The cable is looped
round the carburettor and serves the dual function of braking and closing the throttle.

I couldn't get on with this on my 3300 at first and separated the two functions, using a
Villiers lever from a lawn mower to act as a throttle.  I'm much happier with my 5000
which has the twist-grip arrangement.

I love the look of this Surf Racer but it's the usual story, too many toys and too little time!

Regards
Nick D.