And now for something deffierent: SOLEX

[JunkstyleGio]

I'm not the MOCking type; I'm more of a collector and MOD-er.

But a few weeks ago I had a bit of an idea.

In the sixties and seventies these means of transportation were very popular in Europe.

The Solex!

The Solex a bicycle that has a small 49cc motor mounted above the front wheel. Power is delivered via a small ceramic roller that rotates directly on the front wheel by friction to the tire.

I've been trying and by trial and error i first came up with this 1st Prototype:

I wasn't quite happy so I redid the front fork to a thinner model

These changes came to the 2nd prototype:

Now I'm waiting for some parts to get to a final model. (The handlebars need a little change and the wheels need to be dark-gray and some other minor color changes...)

So please leave your comments and as soon as the parts arrive I will disclose the final model!

[DLuders]

This looks really good! I wonder what it is like riding the real Solex -- one must get a snoot-full of exhaust fumes!

[rien]

i love it great idea solex amazing

now a kreidler? zundap:P

[JunkstyleGio]

Asnoot-full of exhaust? Don't think so. The engine was a little wonder of fuel-saver and had almost no exhumes!

And most of all: The MOD's (Here in the Netherlands they were fans of The Who, The Small Faces, The Golden Earings etc etc...) driving it and being a "MOD" was cool! They didn't mind!

(remember we/they weren't all that old-farts like the person in the picture)

BTW: driving a real Solex is one of the greatest experiences you ever could have!

Edited February 20, 2011 by JunkstyleGio

[JunkstyleGio]

@ Rien:

An other (real) moped would be a great idea!

Maybe a puch maxi?

[BrickDemon]

Very cool man! Very original as well..

But didn't MOD's drive Vespas and Lambrettas? :) I think you're confusing with Nozems.. they also drove the puch's with the high handlebars..

[Tadej]

This looks really good! I wonder what it is like riding the real Solex -- one must get a snoot-full of exhaust fumes!

LOL Solex has virtually no exhaust, I have one from 1952 and it uses 1.5 lt/100km, thats 156 miles/gallon. If it was made in USA, then there might be a problem with exhaust fumes up your nose, since fuel economy is unknown to Americans.

[JunkstyleGio]

Yesterday my BL and Lego-direct orders arrived.

None of them were correct.

So you have to wait another few days to see the final version..

For now a little detail; but i will get this project finalized!!!!!

[bord4kop]

Very nice

Good to see something completely different

And nostalgic

Remember my brother used to own one that went 80 Km/h

It took quite a while to get to that speed tho

Edited February 23, 2011 by bord4kop

[Routemaster]

Great idea!

Really appreciate it to see something different. :thumbup:

Keep up the good work, JunkstyleGio.

[JunkstyleGio]

Sometimes you've got to stop tinkering on a MOC:

So here it is:

The final Prototype of the Solex!

New handlebars, new and improved and slimmer front-fork and some minor color-changes.

Edited March 4, 2011 by JunkstyleGio

[Zerobricks]

Looks great! Does the motor work via the friction drive?

[JunkstyleGio]

It's fully functional like the real thing.

The engine can be pulled on and from the frontwheel and a Technic Gear (12 Tooth Double Bevel) drives the engine.

It's kinda hard to take detailed pictures. So hopefully you understand.

I couldn't figure out a freewheeling rear-axle....

Edited March 5, 2011 by JunkstyleGio

[BrickDemon]

I think it looks great!

I think it would look even better if you'd replace all the blue pins, red axles and grey bushings/liftarms with black versions..

[JunkstyleGio]

Thanks to all:

My initial idea for this model was to get a toy-version of a solex not a "life-like"display-model.

I've tried a all-black version. I didn't work for me and taking pictures of all-black models is/was a horror!