Front engine Moped? or Bike or don't know what to call it

[64 Pete]

Many moons ago I was at a flea market in Englishtown, NJ.
I came across a bike shaped machine which had two wheels(24"-ish), brakes, pedals, a dedicated front mount for a friction drive gas engine.
The real kicker was the gas tank was in the down tube.(no top tube in frame)
It most resembled a 40's or 50's heavy duty woman's frame, but clearly did not start out as a bicycle.
It could have been ridden as a bicycle but was pretty hefty in weight so probably not much fun to pedal.
Pretty sure it was not a Solex but I can't recall the name on it.
Does this ring a bell for anyone? Long shot to be sure.

Thanks
Pete

 

[Andrew Gorman]

Velo Solex?

VéloSoleX - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Centurion]

Could be one of many vintage mopeds.

 

[Jesse McCauley]

There were quite a few Euro companies that employed the same style of direct friction movement as a VeloSolex-
I have a few in crates that I should probably break apart for the 'Boardtrack Racer" community.
Maybe it was the 'PowerPak' Cycle Motor? As I recall the Trojan MiniMotor is always at the rear of the machine... As was said above though there were many many variations mid-20th century.

 

[64 Pete]

Hi,
I've looked at a lot of pictures of VeloSolex but didn't see one with a fuel tank built into frame.
That would be the really unique part I thought.
It was definitely set up to be front friction drive, and it definitely did not start out as a regular bike.
I almost bought it except I had no clue where I'd ever find the engine for something like that and it was too heavy to ride as a straight bicycle.
Unfortunately I have a long memory for "the ones that got away!"

Pete

 

[sworley]

Maybe it was some custom jobber using a Solex front end like the photos I found online below?

Back in college, my buddy was going to take the front end of a Solex and mate it to a Schwinn cantilever frame he had around. But he broke the cast aluminum flywheel trying to remove it and tossed it all in the trash.

Honestly, you’re not missing much. The friction drive mopeds were pretty junky. AMF made a rear friction drive model. Find yourself a Vespa Ciao, Puch Maxi or better yet a Puch Magnum, and then you’d have a decent moped experience.

 

[wes holliday]

Hello Jesse
Let me know when you have the 'PowerPak' Cycle Motor or a Trojan MiniMotor.
Thank you.