Gotta See

[Michigan Mike]

Not an MB but this vintage "folding" moped is definitely cool. Worth a look just for the fun of it ... check out all the pictures to see how it folds up.
Ebay auction number 150386232798 or
click
Rare Vintage Go-Devil foldable moped mini bike scooter:eBay Motors (item 150386232798 end time Nov-11-09 14:08:46 PST)

[deacon]

I have seen pictures in mechanic illustrated of this kind of scooter. Those were ww2 home front vehicles for defense plant workers who lived a mile or so from the plant. Very interesting item. Way more money than I can part with but interesting nonetheless.

[Michigan Mike]

Interesting history. They do look like neat little vehicles. Not my first choice but I imagine they'd have their uses. I like the way they shrink down into such a compact package ... easy to "stow away" until needed.

Here's a Youtube video of one in action ...

YouTube - 1960's Fuji Go Devil Mini Bike (2008) 53cc Folding

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[deacon]

I dont think the one I saw folded but it was that same square utilitarian design. I bet we could build one using kid's bike wheels and a serious tiller motor. Might not fold down but would be a cool little ride

[Michigan Mike]

Originally Posted by deacon

I dont think the one I saw folded but it was that same square utilitarian design. I bet we could build one using kid's bike wheels and a serious tiller motor. Might not fold down but would be a cool little ride

Deacon,
You might be onto something. The body design might also work good for an electric bike. Would be room for a big battery. I can also see it as a trike ... maybe with the dual wheels in front.? Now I'm getting carried away again!
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[deacon]

LOL the little wheels are kinda cute just to get from one place to another. Wonder what we would have to do to make it a bike so they wouldn't throw it off the road. Put a sprocket that looked like it worked

[deacon]

Okay a miniature ice cream truck with sixteen inch fork you know the old 1940 neighborhood three wheeler the ice cream holder in the back would be the seat. good humor man in mini

[Michigan Mike]

Originally Posted by deacon

LOL the little wheels are kinda cute just to get from one place to another. Wonder what we would have to do to make it a bike so they wouldn't throw it off the road. Put a sprocket that looked like it worked

Maybe paste some cardboard Vespa sillouettes on each side?!

[Michigan Mike]

Originally Posted by deacon

Okay a miniature ice cream truck with sixteen inch fork you know the old 1940 neighborhood three wheeler the ice cream holder in the back would be the seat. good humor man in mini

Too Cool ... makin' money while you ride!
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[deacon]

now for a serious question.
If a kid's trike can be pedaled from a crank built into the front wheel, and if you were going to build a miniature good humor trike, could you put a crank on the front fork inside the wheel.

Then use one of my hang on motors as a drive motor. and the box under the seat to store the batteries. Use it for parades and such. Not touch the front wheel pedals often but have them available to keep it in the bicycle rules and out of the moped rules.

I very, very seldom use my pedals now on the faux trike except maybe to start it at the very beginning. Maybe use a front wheel like this one. URBAN X STREET MONSTER BIKE TRIKE BIG WHEEL TRICYCLE - eBay (item 390116227557 end time Nov-13-09 20:52:09 PST)Sixteen inches on a twenty inch bike frame, to rear wheels from a sixteen inch bike, using the coaster wheel with one of my 600 watt hang on motors running at 900 watts.



The problem with a do it yourself trike has always been the pedal drive system, what if you just used a front wheel crank and a rear wheel drive system only. No rear chair or sprocket except for the motor hanging on one of the rear wheels. I wonder if a one piece crank would fit inside and emptied out coaster brake wheel.

Now you have me thinking again a dangerous thing...