Do you need a license?

Saw this in the Hex River Valley week or so ago -
centre stand and all - and thought I have to share it with you.
(quite happy with my BMW though!)
* Who owned a similar 'solex bike' in years gone by?
* Do you need a license for this?
* What would the max speed of this help-my-trap be?

As far as I know you don’t (didn’t) need a license for a help-my-trap. And it doesn’t have much power. So basically you have to get it up to speed yourself and the engine is just strong enough to maintain that speed (on a level surface). Don’t think you’d be able to ride out a hill with that little engine.

I used to see an old guy riding one in Potch when I was studying there. Guess he went at about 15-20km/h.

Dont think a license was realy necessary for these Help my traps - the engine was normally a 25cc motor - thus no license. Am not a legal boffin but if i can recal the minimum engine size regarded by the transport legislation as a motorvehicle is a 50cc enjin - although I stand to be corrected on this. Is there anybody in the club who can shed some light on this

my first post on my way to a longhauler I can remember my school days having one of these little engines (solex) not sure on the capacity of the engine but reached speed of up to 26 kph. My very first fine was on this thing for not having a licence. Obviously this goes back a number of years.

Congrats to the forum administrator, I think this is an excellent and most informative site, hope to join you guys soon, damn I still need a legal licence.

Welcome to the forum wingman, trust you will enjoy your stay.

Why not go to our "lounge" - General, Who's Who - and introduce yourself?

Thanks, interesting stuff here.

wingman wrote:I can remember my school days having one of these little engines (solex) not sure on the capacity of the engine but reached speed of up to 26 kph.

Some stats on the Solex Engine:
Engine type:
One cylinder two stroke
Bore: 039.5 mm
Stroke: 40 mm
Cylinder capacity: 49 cc
Compression: 8.2:1
Maximum power (KW ISO): 0.58 KW.
Maximum revolution per minute: 4000 revs./min
Maximum torque: At 2000 revs./min.
Revs. at maximum power 2500 revs./min.
Clutch: Centrifugal automatic
Transmission: 42 mm friction wheel on front wheel
Carburetor: S 3800 6.51
Noise level: 72-80 dB
Ignition Flywheel magnet
Pure ignition angle: 23 degrees
Contact breaker clearance: 0.4 mm
Spark plug: FP 5 CR
Ignition electrodes clearance: 0.4 mm
Fuel tank & consumption 1.4 l / 100 km
Fuel: unleaded fuel with 2-3% oil
Front brake:
Edge brake commanded by the right hilt lever, coupled with gas
Rear brake:
Drum brake commanded by the left hilt lever
Lighting:
Front bulb: 6 V / 15 W
Rear bulb: 12 V / 4 W
Tyres (front and rear)
Size: 1.75 x 19"
Pressure: 2 bar
Dimensions:
Length: 1.610 m
Width: 0.57 m
Height: 0.96 m
Weight 30 kg
Maximally allowed weight: 135 kg

Maximum speed: approximately 30 km/h