This blog started when I owned and MZ Skorpion Traveller and a bike magazine dismissed it with the phrase 'you can't tour on a single'. The Skorpion's gone and I now have a Triumph Bonneville, but I can't be bothered changing the title of the blog!
Wednesday, 10 October 2012
Mystery bike
Found this picture on the Web of an unusual bike. The white box is where I've removed the details.
OK, what is it? No prizes for getting it right other than fame on my blog.
Is it a rare 'B-31' twin? Comprised of a Triumph TRW 350 flathead motor in a BSA B-31 frame with the barrel and head reversed...? I've heard of TRW's. But a quick web search only yielded mentions of a 'B-31 Twin', with no pictures .
Well spotted folks! It's a Trabant engine into a BSA frame. Found on this website along with a Trabant in a Metisse frame. http://www.eurospares.com/graphics.htm A 600cc 2 stroke twin, not a bad choice of engine as it was fairly light and tunable. I remember seeing a magazine article a long time ago about someone who'd built a road bike with a Wartburg engine (1000 cc, 2 stroke triple) in a Norton Featherbed frame, but haven't been able to find a picture.
Interesting one Norman, hadn't seen any with a Trabant engine. There were a few specials about using the SAAB 96 three cylinder two stroke, a fairly light water cooled engine.
I hadn't seen a Trabant engined bike until I discovered that website. As car engined bikes go, it's reasonably neat and looks like it was designed to be there.
Trabants are something I've never seen over here in the states, though I'm sure a few have made it over. That engine probably is happier in a motorcycle.
Is it some type of Villiers twin two stroke in a BSA chassis of some sort....
ReplyDeleteIs it a rare 'B-31' twin? Comprised of a Triumph TRW 350 flathead motor in a BSA B-31 frame with the barrel and head reversed...?
ReplyDeleteI've heard of TRW's. But a quick web search only yielded mentions of a 'B-31 Twin', with no pictures .
That looks suspiciously like a Trabant car engine to me. Some sort of 'special'?
ReplyDeleteWell spotted folks! It's a Trabant engine into a BSA frame. Found on this website along with a Trabant in a Metisse frame. http://www.eurospares.com/graphics.htm
ReplyDeleteA 600cc 2 stroke twin, not a bad choice of engine as it was fairly light and tunable. I remember seeing a magazine article a long time ago about someone who'd built a road bike with a Wartburg engine (1000 cc, 2 stroke triple) in a Norton Featherbed frame, but haven't been able to find a picture.
Interesting one Norman, hadn't seen any with a Trabant engine. There were a few specials about using the SAAB 96 three cylinder two stroke, a fairly light water cooled engine.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't seen a Trabant engined bike until I discovered that website. As car engined bikes go, it's reasonably neat and looks like it was designed to be there.
ReplyDeleteTrabants are something I've never seen over here in the states, though I'm sure a few have made it over. That engine probably is happier in a motorcycle.
ReplyDelete