The Kneeslider

Doers Builders and Positive People

Derringer Cycles Board Track Style Motorized Bicycles

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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

Comments

  1. 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.

  5. 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…

  7. 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. 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.

  10. 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.

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

  21. 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.

  23. 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