It was developed by the British inventor and entrepreneur Sir Clive Sinclair (also known for his home computer kits ZX 81 and ZX Spectrum) and was the first mass-produced electric bicycle.
But due to a bad marketing and very negative and squibbing press reports it was a total flop when it was introduced on the market in January 1985.
And so the production was quit in the same year after just approximately 17.000 units build.
Despite this launch failure the C5 enjoys great popularity within a small group of fans and attained cult status.
A real freak vehicle!
Project contents
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Repair diary
Here I'm describing the restoration and modification of my Sinclair C5:
- Page1 Prelude | A new project
- Page2 Demounting and first problems | Fighting with steering bar
- Page3 Exhumation of a motor | Let there be light!
- Page4 The "ant cave" | Rust and no end
- Page5 Sanding and no end | Sanding the brake
- Page6 Frame | Front wheel | A soap opera
- Page7 Frame finished | Wheel fork
- Page8 Frame again | Ball-bearings
- Page9 A Puky gives its life | Electric toothbrush
- Page10 Back to work | Gear hub | Chain and other things
- Page11 Reflector stripes | Trailer hitch
- Page12 I am frustrated! | Puky again
- Page13 I am Iron Man! | Gear hub completed
- Page14 Front wheel | Make it street legal
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C5 picture gallery
Here you will find pictures from the restoration. Maybe a useful resource for all C5 hobbyists.
Links
- The official Sinclair C5 website. Here you can still order original spares.
- A good forum and further spares and tuning parts are available on C5alive.com.
- Helpful tips and tricks and electronic repairs can be found on C5martin.co.uk.
- SinclairC5.com is a very interesting fan website with lots of technical information and documentation (via archive.org).
- The repair blog from Camp0s inspired me to make my own C5 diary (link via archive.org).
- Also an assembly of a gearshift has already been made by someone.
- And here someone even build a complete self-made construction of the chassis!
- If you also want to repair your C5 you should have a look at these interesting restoration images.
- And if you're now still searching for more information you may have a look at the C5 club on Yahoo
- or on the forum on yourc5.com.
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And finally something really strange:
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