Solex 3 wheeler?

[blob]

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

[Jawmedead]

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

[blob]

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.

[Peelpower]

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

Does anybody kept a picture of it??

[Jawmedead]

I found this on a Velosolex site.

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

Would this be it?

[blob]

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

[Dan Rodd]

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

[AndrewG]

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



Andrew

[blob]

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

[inacoma]

Hi

Great item.

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

John

[burford57]

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.

[blob]

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

[burford57]

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.