[Spridgets] new toy

[Jim Johnson]

They were common from before 1900.  De Dion Bouton single air cooled engines
date back to the 1870s some even date back to right after the Civil War!
Early 20th century in the US manufacturers were such companies as Maytag and
Hercules.  Good info on them here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorized_bicycle#Internal_Combustion_Engine_.28ICE.29_Motored_Bikes

Cheers!!
Jim

On Sun, Apr 10, 2011 at 9:47 PM, Frank Clarici <spritenut at comcast.net>wrote:

> As some of you know I got into antique bicycles, today a neighbor gave me a
> gas engine for a bicycle.
> It mounts on the front fork and engages the front tire.
> It's from the 60s and may not have ever been fired up until now.
> No rip cord, once mounted you pedal the bike and push a lever to engage the
> engine to the tire and it starts to run.
> Well my cordless drill, some gas and it fired up on the bench so I mounted
> it to my 1923 Elgin bike.
> what a blast! It goes about 25 mph.
> What I am trying to find out is about how old it is so if anybody can
> recall these aftermarket gizmos, let me know.
> It is a Sears 2 stroke engine, very small, maybe 25cc or so. carb hole is
> about 1/2" and it was made in Japan.
> The NGK spark plug looked brand new when I checked it out, gas tank was dry
> and had no smell of old gas and the engine looks very clean.
> It even has a paper tag on it on how to prime the carb.
> That's what makes me think it has never been used. The neighbor said he
> found it at "work" years ago.
> He works of the town public works.  (aka garbage man)  ;)
> He is forever giving me antique bikes, wagons, and toys for my grandson.
> All need to be restored but it's a lot of fun doing quick projects
> like pedal cars, tricycles, 1948 Radio Flyer wagon, and an old park spring
> ride on rocket.
> He loves to see the junk get fixed up and painted and used so I get all his
> junk.
> So if anybody knows anything about this bike engine, talk to me.
>
> --
> Frank Clarici
> Toms River, NJ
> Did you register for the Midget 50th meet yet?
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-- 
Cheers!!
Jim Johnson
Don't miss the BIG PARTY!!  Midget 50th Anniversary!
Elkhart Lake, WI  July 18-22, 2011
Info & Registration here:
http://www.sprite-midgetclub.org