1940's ? Safticycle cargo bike --check it out

[povertyflats]

I got this from a good friend today who is 80 years old and says that he bought this during the 1940's when he was about 7-8 years old. It was used (not new) at that time. He delivered 2 blocks of ice at a time here in our small town during the summer on this bike to earn money. He kept it all his life until now. A few years ago he had it repainted. It has a Briggs engine and a foot pedal that is used for both clutch and brake. According to him, the cargo compartment on this bike makes it very rare. Other than cleaning out the gas tank, I should have no problem getting it running. I am kind of excited and just got it home today. I have not done any homework yet and at this point do not know anything about them. The badge says "SaftiCycles" LaCrosse, WI. It has a vin number on it. Would appreciate your comments or shared knowledge if you have anything to add.

 

[povertyflats]

I plan to put some black balloon tires on it.

 

[povertyflats]

This bike is an incredible 7 feet 4 inches long!

 

[povertyflats]

I did find some photos here:
Safticycle Sportster » Motorcycle directory

 

[MotorBicycleRacing]

I have a bunch of pics saved of SaftiCycles.

The gearbox drive is pretty much the same as an EZ Motorbike Q Matic.
They even used flex exhaust back in the 40's
There really isn't much new that hasn't been done before.

 

[fasteddy]

What a great find. Your a luck person to have someone trust you enough to sell it to you after owning it all that time. He wanted a bit of his history to be passed on.

Steve.

 

[Allen_Wrench]

Wow. That'd be so cool if you could get the 70 year old ice hauler in top running form. That's a very "cool" find!

 

[moonshiner]

that is awesome man ....

 

[silverbear]

I love stuff that's different, which yours surely is. Some local history gets passed along. A little plaque on it somewhere telling of it's history would be a neat thing... maybe with a picture of your friend as a boy. You could use it to sell ice cream bars or snow cones. Great find... thanks for sharing.
SB

 

[Russell]

Please post as many pictures of it as possiable. Especially under the hood!
Great machine!

 

[MotorBicycleRacing]

Please post as many pictures of it as possiable. Especially under the hood!
Great machine!

I have some brochures. The drive system is just like a Q Matic.
Same big ugly cover. lol
Check out the flex exhaust.

 

[cobrafreak]

Nice bike. I don't know about you but this this is screaming out to me "sidecar". I wonder if you could add a sidecar without altering it permanently. You know, using bold-on clamps.

 

[povertyflats]

I like the sidecar idea too. I also think it wil look better without the cargo basket. Just too busy to work on it right now.

 

[Zman]

Very interesting bikes,

it reminds me of the "Golem Sesselrad" from 1922, a nice idea for a build with a chinagirl...