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The Kneeslider

Doers Builders and Positive People

Derringer Cycles Board Track Style Motorized Bicycles

By Paul Crowe

Derringer Cycles motorized bicycles

The 50cc homemade motorized bicycle spotlighted the other day looks pretty neat as a fun project but I found a company already producing something very similar. Derringer Cycles makes a Honda powered motorized bicycle in the classic board track style that has the same choice of power or pedal of the homemade version.

Brakes are drum up front, coaster in the rear. It holds 1.8 gallons of gas so the range under power is probably over a couple of hundred miles, plus with pedals, who knows?

The Derringer models look pretty well made and if this style of transportation appeals to you and you prefer not to build your own, you’re all set.

Link: Derringer Cycles

Posted on October 16, 2008 Filed Under: Motorcycle Builders, Motorcycle Business


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Comments

  1. Azzy says

    October 16, 2008 at 12:53 pm

    Ive seen lots of those kits online, and wonder if they are an actual Honda engine or not.

    You can pick up that engine, and all the bits needed to attach it to a bicycle for about $200.

    Nice styling on these though.

  2. taxman says

    October 16, 2008 at 1:23 pm

    i didn’t see a price anywhere on his site. but they look very cool.

  3. QrazyQat says

    October 16, 2008 at 1:57 pm

    When I see a restaurant with a menu outside and no prices, I assume the worst. Same here.

  4. kneeslider says

    October 16, 2008 at 2:16 pm

    “no prices, I assume the worst.”

    A good reason to try the homemade version.

  5. Mark Savory says

    October 16, 2008 at 2:46 pm

    Video interview from the website says starting @$3500 and up depending upon options. Build time @3-4 weeks per bike — each one is custom built per customer specifications. Free matching painted helmet with purchase.

    I built a 2-stroker powered custom bicycle a few years back for a customer. Fun to ride. But it got old very fast using it on a regular basis. Hopefully the 4-stroke engine is more civilized.

    It’s a rather niche upscale market to be in — hopefully he has success with it…

  6. SpaceWeasel says

    October 16, 2008 at 2:51 pm

    I’ve looked at these before, but I think the DIY bike looks nicer overall.

  7. Jeff Banks says

    October 16, 2008 at 2:51 pm

    Azzy,
    Yeah, that’s probably a Honda engine. The bicycle engine kits usually found on the internet are usually Chinese 2-strokes (this is a 4 stroke). I have heard that they don’t last too long, but they’re pretty cheap.

  8. discontinuuity says

    October 16, 2008 at 3:00 pm

    The bike in the picture looks like it has one of the Chinese two-stroke engines, although some of the bikes on their website have Honda four stroke engines. Does anyone know of a cheap source of these Honda motors? The best I’ve found is about US$250 on eBay.

  9. Jeff says

    October 16, 2008 at 3:31 pm

    http://www.spookytoothcycles.com/content/view/165/153/

  10. tinker says

    October 16, 2008 at 3:44 pm

    Robin/Subaru makes a 33.5 cc four-stroke Motor that can be fitted in a bicycle frame. 1.6 horse power.

    Here in Texas, you want an UNDER 40 CC motor, to avoid paying taxes, Insurance and registration fees (even on MOPEDS). Apparently most folks do not know of this wrinkle in their bicycle shorts. I saw an add touting “80 CC of 2 stroke power! No registration required!” Oh and top speed on motorized bikes is 20mph.

    You are better off getting an Electric.

  11. Derek says

    October 16, 2008 at 6:11 pm

    I like the mini Triumph tank.

  12. Clive Makinson-Sanders says

    October 16, 2008 at 8:49 pm

    I think 3500 is a bit steep. For 1500 more you can get a ninja 250 that is highway legal, although 1500 is a considerable amount more. But ive priced out the motors and the total build would cost about at MOST 1500 if you did it yourself.

    It is really a beautiful peice, however. And i suppose with hundreds of miles per gallon, the savings would make up the difference pretty quick. Especially for folks like me who live 1 mile from their work.

    I certainly would opt for white walls rather than all white tires which would turn funky pretty quick.

  13. Clive Makinson-Sanders says

    October 16, 2008 at 8:51 pm

    Ok i take it back, those are awesome. Especially the baggers. The only thing i would like to see is a sportier model with a lower seat.

  14. C.P.T.L. says

    October 16, 2008 at 10:44 pm

    A coaster brake? After I upgraded from a boy’s bicycle (a Ross; the Schwinn brand had yet to become big) to a ten-speed, it took me years to undo the never-pedal-backwards-unless-you-mean-to-stop impulse.

    Which became supplanted by the pervasive false notion about ten-speeds: if you pedal backwards things will loosen up and damage the bike. To this day whenever I move bicycle pedals backwards the ghost-memory is still there.

    That was when racing bicycles were new in the States and were called ‘English racers’ for a while before ‘ten-speed’ became the common designation. It was a Raleigh Record with a Brooks saddle hard as stone that itself probably weighed more than an entire modern racing bike.

  15. Wave says

    October 16, 2008 at 11:04 pm

    Depending on the amount of actual custom work involved and how nice the quality is, $3500 may actually be a bargain, but it’s obviously not worth that much as a tool for transportation. The only question is how many people are prepared to pay for a really nice pushbike. They look nice but I would rather make my own for less than half the price.

  16. FREEMAN says

    October 17, 2008 at 1:35 am

    $3500? You can get a used Buell Blast for less than that. I’m fairly confident anyone can make one of these for under a grand, easily. Especially if you shop smart.

  17. Tom says

    October 17, 2008 at 8:07 am

    I’ve seen plenty of tricked out pit bike projects that cost way more and weren’t as cool or unique when they were finished.

    Now, if you want to actually use one of these legally on the street, CHECK YOUR STATE’S LAWS! Every state is different in the laws that govern very small displacement motorized machines, and based on the responses I’ve seen on the internet over the years there’s a 98% chance the advice of your runnin’ buddy/neighbor/local cop/motorcycle dealer/priest/preacher/rabbi/imam isn’t correct.

  18. sohc says

    October 17, 2008 at 8:30 pm

    The gas tank is off a puch moped. looks like his talent was outsourced for everything.
    That equates to high price.

  19. Tom says

    October 17, 2008 at 9:08 pm

    Boy, everybody’s got a piece of the action these days:

    http://www.ridleymotorcycles.com//Motorbike/videos.htm

  20. Jeff says

    October 18, 2008 at 10:26 am

    Check out Spookytoothcycles they are in the sub 1000 buck range .

  21. Eric says

    October 18, 2008 at 9:27 pm

    I just built one,using an “unmarked” 80cc 2cycle kit ,I have over 200 trouble-free miles,never even fouled a plug! I bought it on E-bay for $160. I get over 100mpg and still on break-in 32:1 ratio, so far top speed 38 MPH, plenty on a bicycle. I ,and everyone who sees it loves it.

  22. FREEMAN says

    October 19, 2008 at 10:12 am

    You should post it to the Kneeslider, Eric.

  23. todd says

    October 20, 2008 at 3:40 pm

    There was a guy selling a bunch of those fuel tanks on ebay for $12, brand new. They aren’t on there any more.

    -todd

  24. Steve says

    October 23, 2008 at 7:39 pm

    I’ll pass! Reminds me of the “Whizzer” I was almost killed on in 1960!

  25. josh says

    February 20, 2009 at 5:51 am

    They go for roughly $3500. worth every penny i suspect

  26. slump says

    June 16, 2010 at 6:52 pm

    You should check out imperial cycles they sell just as beautiful bike with a more aggressive and street look. They also sell for about half the price.

    You can check them out at – http://www.imperialcycles.com
    You can also see there more recent work at – http://www.imperialcycles.blogspot.com

    thx

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