1953 Rudge Trojan Mini Motor auxilliary engine for bicycles

[wiggydiggy]

Going through some old photos and found this that I saw a while back, don't know the name of the bike but the engine is a Rudge Trojan Mini Motor, it has registration plates so technically is now a motorbike but thought I'd share.

 

[presta]

My father had one of those Mini Motors. Before my time though, so I don't remember it.

 

[wiggydiggy]

Apparently they were quite popular post WW2 as the UK was struggling for cheap transport, italian designed motor but built under licence in Croydon. The Moped Archive

Also found one called "Cyclemaster" which was more advanced: Graces Guide To British Industrial History

 

[Sharky]

I recall reading my dad's Cycling magazines in the 50's and early 60's, except it was called "Cycling and Mopeds". Used to include such machines ...

 

[Chris S]

Going through some old photos and found this that I saw a while back, don't know the name of the bike but the engine is a Rudge Trojan Mini Motor, it has registration plates so technically is now a motorbike but thought I'd share.



View attachment 800368

The bike's a Raleigh. It's got a heron chain-ring and 'thimble' forks.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Back when I was a student, early 80s, at one point I had access to a cellar which served as a bike shed. Right at the back, behind bits of junk and under layers of gunk and cobwebbery was a bike like that. Complete with miniature reg plate and (empty) licence holder.

I did entertain thoughts of finding out who owned it, buying it, and doing it up as a summer project. But of course I never did.

Who knows, it may still be there.

 

[Big John]

Bridgnorth Saturday market not too many years ago....there was a guy selling new petrol engine assisted bikes. It must have been before ebikes became the thing. He charged a small fortune for them. They weren't refurbished bikes. So there are some relatively new ones out there somewhere.

 

[presta]

They wear the tyre out in double quick time because the drive's just a roller, with a 'clutch' lever that pivots the whole engine to lift the roller off the tyre.

 

[wiggydiggy]

Bridgnorth Saturday market not too many years ago....there was a guy selling new petrol engine assisted bikes. It must have been before ebikes became the thing. He charged a small fortune for them. They weren't refurbished bikes. So there are some relatively new ones out there somewhere.

When I visited Australia 10ish years back I saw a few of these types of bikes, they were still popular to a certain time I think but ebikes have probably replaced them now.