Driving the 1919 Grafton Cyclecar
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- Опубликовано: 29 сен 2024
- Join me as I go on a New Year's Day drive in my 1919 Grafton Cyclecar.
The car was built by Tim Gunn: www.gunnandco....
Watch a short film about the car with Tim here: • 1919 Grafton cyclecar ...
An article about the car: www.prewarcar.....
Please feel free to like and subscribe to my channel, I will be uploading many more videos.
Thanks for bringing us along, Eddie. Glad to see the Grafton went to an enthusiastic new owner who will continue to share his experiences with it as Tim did. Looking forward to future adventures.
Needs a Suzuki Hyabusa engine fitted 😂
Nice to see it being driven rather than a museum piece
It’s not a museum piece because it’s not old. It’s a modern creation, made from old plans.
@@FlyingForFunTrecanair plans ?
@@shaneellasdaicastrestorati3675 if you google ‘how to build a cyclecar’ then you’ll find a reprint of an old book first published in 1920. It’s available for purchase from the chap who built this Grafton Cyclecar.
@@FlyingForFunTrecanair really thanks for the info I'll have a look at it, thank you
Not sure but it looks like a well restored original.
I enjoyed your film immensely! I read auto books back when I was a kid in the early 1960's and was always fascinated my the cyclecars. A film like yours makes it so real in a way that, of course, all those books could not. Thank you!
Nothing between you and the machine. Looks like a blast
What an absolute BEAST ! ! !
That thing is so adorable. I bet people had a lot of fun cruising in those back in the day.
Top fun, thank you..
Great video...👍
Super!
I would rather have that than anything and I've had a lot of things
Never heard of this bicycle before , 🤣
It looks perfectly at home in that lovely little town.
Dude, you need one of those aviator hats with the goggles. What a piece of history you own!
Lovely 😊
Resident of the area : 'What the hell is that god awful noise?'
Residents wife : 'Oh don't worry dear, it's Eddie. He's pre ambulating again'
More like" it's him from it manorhouse again?"
" aye"...
Is there a tickler on carb? If you Don.t know about that there will be a little spring loaded rod which you press until fuel leaks out. Usually 3 or 4 seconds. Then kick it. I.m used to late 20.s bikes. Assume this will be the same.
What a marvellous old machine that is. The car appeared quite spritely, but I guess that the engine doesn't exactly struggle hauling along something [that seems to be] pretty light. Right there, in that gloriously crafted little old gem, is everything a car needs for today's typical commuter. Surely even the orange vest brigade couldn't fail to be captivated by such elegance.
I'm very much in favour of driving such automotive treasures and enjoying them, well done for letting the car live and do its work. I love a motoring museum as much as the next car girl but, in spite of the fact that permanent display pieces won't need to cause concern about the risk of using an historic vehicle in moder traffic, this wee darling is alive and has lots of character, I'm sure the car would sulk if it were to be mothballed and live out its days without having an occasional spot of exercise. Needless to say; I need to own such a vehicle.
"Dear Santa Claus, please bring to me one of these, I know it's early to be asking, but my chimney will need to be opened up somewhat if you're to get something of this size into my home.
Kind Regards,
Jaye, 59 years old but still a little girl when I'm around special, rare cars, especially devices so cute.
Thats one of the cutest comments ive read
I'm impressed with how smooth and quiet the motor is. Nice little unit. The chassis and body seem to be pretty robust too. The kick start procedure would have destroyed a lesser car 😊.
It would be difficult to build a "lesser car" than a cycle-car. But I am amazed Eddie didn't warm the thing up ahead of time so he wouldn't spend half the video in a fruitless attempt to start it. This thing makes an Austin 7 look like a luxury car.
I think it was best that he didn't do that to sugar-coat the reality of owning & driving a 100 year old piece of post-Great War poverty transport for the English masses...🧐@@scootergeorge7089
Wooden box on bicycle wheels and you call it a car ???
Bet for the British an electric skateboard will qualify as a car and require driving license 😅
I would like to get a replica and do a steampunk hot rod build.
Well stop sitting on yer arse watching RUclips videos all day & hop to it!🧑🏭
Great fun.I wonder what it was like in 1919 on rutted unpaved country roads?
Sounds just like the roads around my place!
Probably OK with those large diameter wheels and forgiving suspension
@@PRH123What suspension? Perhaps of disbelief?🧐
@@joerosen5464 front and rear axles are supported on the ends of leaf springs cantilevered out from the frame...
2024 roads in Kent are probably quite similar... You'd lose the Graftan down some of the potholes.
Having grown up in the era of kick-starts and pull-cords, when you said, "The starting procedure is pretty simple; you just turn the petrol on and kick it," I instinctively added, "...about 92 times." That's still the coolest thing on earth.
She starts like I do on a cold morning!
Slowly, and a little bit of back talk. 😂😎👍
I hear ya on that one.
LOL same here
My goodness does it bounce like cars in cartoons when being started!! I understand the animations now 😂
Thank you for sharing the experience!! A lot of people are interested in these cool cyclecars..
That looks the perfect vehicle for driving round that village on , somehow it just fits
Thank you! I wish there were more of these around. It definitely looks like an exhilarating driving experience!
20cm longer and 15 wider would do you good 😎
Thanks for the Footage of this amazing Cyclecar! Is it Road registered?
Greetings from Switzerland with a 1916 Cyclecar!
Безумно интересно! Спасибо за замечательный ролик! Жалко, что почти ничего не сказано про ручки управления. Я так понимаю, что педалей там нет, только рычаги? СПАСИБО!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂
Да и рулевые тяги на тросах. Интересная коробченка
What a gorgeous little gem! Here in the states we have a group that races repro cyclecars (or modern interpretations of them, lol). There are a few towns in our midwest that close down their streets to host roadraces for them. Awesome to see an actual original wandering the roadways she grew up in!
Check out a place called Wheels through time in Maggie valley NC because they have some old miniature cars similar that one was built by Chrysler for his son that uses a Harley Davidson engine I think from the 20s if I remember. They specialize in old antique motorcycles mostly American made brands but they got some very unique things at the museum and every thing does run and gets either started or started and driven on the property or near by streets . Each year they completely rebuild a antique motorcycle to original specs using original rare parts and then they sell raffle tickets for someone to win the bike . A year or so ago they built a early HD knuckle head with a low number from the assembly line and raffled the bike off but Matt Wexler who runs the museum now after his father passed away was saying that there was another bike like it that was built either before or after his he built in the assembly line and this bike had sold at auction for 150,000 smackers . They completely rebuild the engine to like new specs but do upgrades internally to make them more reliable and to make more power so check the channel out here in RUclips if you haven't heard about this museum because they have some very rare bikes some that were factory race bike some hill climb bikes some old board track racers and others that were used for the international cross country races from one end of the country to the other which is still held each year to this day on old antique motorcycles plus they have some old cars trucks and even a old airplane that's powered by a very old HD motorcycle engine .
Great film. I love proper, vintage, motoring, especially cyclecars and light cars. I own a 1932 Morris Minor two-seater that I've managed to cover 11,000 miles in over the past 3 years. I took it up to the Scottish Highlands in June (2023) on a 1200 mile tour over 8 days in 28 degree heat... No issues. Hoping to take it over the France this year (it's closer than Scotland!). Looking forward to more grafton content.
Nice video, which the RUclips algorithm provided for my enjoyment, which I did. Keep up the good work!
WOW!!! Great little Car and great little engine. I had a 500 cc BSA Gold Star, back in the 1970's and had an inclination to put the engine into something similar, but it seemed like a waste of a good Gold Star engine; plus, the RRT2 racing gearbox would have been a problem. As it is, I never got around to designing the vehicle, so it never happened. I noticed the Chain Drive to the rear wheels. Not even a chain guard over it. I wouldn't want to be driving it when the chain snaps; Wouldn't do your 'wedding tackle' any good. Thanks for letting us share the ride with you. Happy New Year. Russ. Havant, Hants.
WOW , Wacky races mobile , You could enter it into the Gumball Rally !
This is a beautifully-made video - camera angles, editing, story-telling, even the sound. The Grafton's so tiny it makes even a GN look as big as a Bentley - and almost as rakish (although I can't imagine how those 'flying' mudguards keep spray off the driver!). Transmission brake? I couldn't see any wheel brakes.
I think engine braking was the main way to slow down back then.
I had an old Honda like that once, with just 1 brake out of 4 working, I got pretty good at it… :)
Tiny little cyclecar makes narrow British roads look pretty roomy!
The steering looks pretty shaky, no caster in the suspension angles?
I think you got to be very careful taking a turn to prevent collapsing a front wheel.
Or just worrying about any one of them just randomly falling right off, for that matter.🤨
Are they 26-inch wheels? If so at least you can get away with slapping some MTB tyres on.
The roads seem so narrow, that little cycle car seems right at home.
One the best cars ever i recon 130 miles per galon but it looks like a flying coffin.
Thankfully it appears that it's maximum flying speed is south of 25mph/40kph!😉
Awesome entertainment, love how RUclips finds me stuff like this -Watching this on a ferry home in HongKong!
So cool! ( I could picture how toad felt! Poop poop!)
Thank you for sharing your experience! I agree with you, should be more interest in cycle cars. Best wishes.
👍👌👏 Oh WOW, simply fantastic! Get well soon, Sir. Thanks a lot for making explaining recording editing uploading and sharing.
Best regards luck and health in particular.
Fantastic video. I was wondering, is the single headlamp electric powered or carbide? The motor sounds really good.
Thanks Eddie. Beautiful piece of mechanized history. Maybe a motor rally and ride through the wonderful English countryside next time would be great. 😃👍
Superbe fun trip! I didnt see any cycling though?
Very interesting, great video. Thank you.
I believe that you need some more toe- in on your front wheels to stop the wobble.
Hello from Maine, USA
Eddie, I and a friend who brought your video to my attention, think it would be good if you took the Grafton to Ivan Dutton for a once over and suggestions on what wants repair and possible adjustments to make the Grafton easier to start in cold weather. You and Ivan could probably work it up into a fun little video.
I think Ivan would be enraptured to see the Grafton.
Wonderful pioneering engineering.
Love the manual hand shove reverse action.
What a wonderful little machine. Perfect for some country side vintage motoring.
Interesting machine, thanks!
This vehicle is one reason why the English car industry has always not been number 1... Greetings from Stuttgart...😊
This vehicle is is a prize example of why the English car industry has ceased to exist, "Greetings from Stuttgart"!
Delightful. Scary steering but delightful.
About 900 times better than anything from the "aaaand here's a word from todays sponsor" channels.
actually installed an addon to skip those, but it doesn't always work, since there's just so many people that do that.
I imagine if you could afford a machine like this then you dont need to make money off your RUclips career
@@stemdeckesupreme164 Have you tried, you know, having a real job. Not only does it pay your bills but allows you to spend money on things that cost money. It's weird how it works, instead of dreaming of clout and making it big in these platforms, you can have the lifestyle without the negatives. But I do understand the appeal of being a beach bum begging people to give you money, like and subscribe. No wait, I don't.
You hate money
How did you (or Tim) manage to get this road-registered? It’s a nice little build, but of course it’s not actually from 1919, just ‘in the style of’. Does it somehow squeeze in via the quadricycle categories?
Why do you say this is a "replica" build?
@@PeterChapman-rg6gr I don’t call it a replica, because it isn’t. It was built by Tim Gunn from scratch perhaps 10-15 years ago- he mentions this briefly at the start of the video, and Tim had mentioned it in other published pieces in the past. There are other comments under this video referencing this fact, so I’m not the only one. If you look closely at the details, you can see that it’s made of bits- the front axle is welded, with two bicycle bottom brackets doing service as kingpins, modified pedal cranks as track rod arms etc. The rims are heavy-duty cycle rims. Very clever, but I’m intrigued as to how it was registered under current regulations- not least because I’ve often thought about doing something similar myself, but couldn’t see how to get it through IVA approval.
He does mention that it was built by a Mr.(?) Tim Gunn. But he DOES NOT say anything about it being "built 10-15 years ago"!🧐
I don't think we were watching the same video. I suggest that you watch it again!🤨
@@joerosen5464 Don’t patronise, it was a perfectly reasonable question. I’ve known about this car for a while, and Tim Gunn is very much a current and alive individual. Instead of being smart-arsed, try watching this video, where Tim describes why and how he built it. It’s inspired by a half-size GN, but is a modern-day build. ruclips.net/video/pQWCzPd8FXw/видео.htmlsi=zSm43Qtc_I1HwK8O
@@ukuleletyke I'll grant you half your point, for which I owe you a small apology. I DID follow up, on my own accord, by doing a search for this "1919 Grafton". Sure 'nuff, Google did lead me straight to Tim Gunn's video in which he explains that he built a "what if" pseudo-replica (because there's no actual original...) of a 1919 concept for a half-sized cyclecar from a well-known manufacturer of the time. It was then that I realized the name "Grafton" was Tim's joke about things being "grafted on" to the idea.
But I still stand by my comment that whilst it's mentioned "briefly at the start of the video" that Tim Gunn built it, HE DOESN'T SAY WHEN, as your post SUGGESTS; but granted, doesn't actually SPECIFICALLY say to the Reader.🤨
So not knowing anywhere near as much as yourself about the culture of English cyclecar fanatics, I, like most others that have had YouBoob send us over here courtesy of their inscrutable algorithms, took his comments to mean that Grafton was the nom de plume of a WWI era English cyclecar maker by the name of Tim Gunn!🤪
What a simple,cute and funktional car ❤
That is such a nice car , what is the chassis made if ? I might have to have a go at making a replica
Muito bom uma terapia lindo passeio 😊 moro no sul do Brasil🎉
Absolutely, and to bring the philosophy full circle, if current designers of EV's want their designs to last more than 170 miles of a full charge they need to think exactly like the designers of this Grafton did. A small carbon fibre tear drop body monocoque with modern small motorcycle motocross wheels, where the 2 occupants sit in tandem (most cars do most journeys with the sole driver as the single occupant) the range for the weight Vs the motor divided by the battery size, EV's could be dramatically changed for the better. Lovely car by the way, however I think your front nearside wheel needs a spoke re-tension ?
I suspect one problem with lightweight designs like this might be that most people think: "If I spend a whole lot of money I want a car that can do everything I might possibly ever want from a car!" and then get something they don't need 99% of the time.
How much weight are you going to save when it's the batteries that weigh a ton?
A lightweight hybrid would get more mileage from a lightweight battery pack, but you'd still end up only having enough range to potter around town for a bit before needing to plug back in & recharge.🧐
Think electric bicycle batteries in a car weighing in at 40-55kg,think modern 3 or 4 wheeled fully enclosed recumbent. The trouble isn't the technology, that's already here, it's infrastructure and people's willingness or otherwise to change, a 50mph tandem electric car can't be part of the cycling infrastructure and likewise you'd die in every car accident scenario I can think of if used on the general highways. A new type of road network would be needed, one mainly stolen from the current road network I'd guess but what sort of future do we collectively want ? (all this is obviously mute if Elon invents a new battery next week that only needs charging every ten years haha) @@joerosen5464
Love seeing old bits of kit like this out and about, not in a museum gathering dust. Like most bits of kit of this age it has 'personality and attitude'... 🤣 Nice one, nuff said.. 🙂
Fantastic! Those bike wheels wobbles really scares me though xD
You’re a lucky guy to have such a great car. How many new cars of today in 104 years time!
Not my bloody Volvo that's for sure!
@@waterboy8999Should've gotten yourself a 122S, or an 1800 like The Saint drove. Good for a million miles, go watch those videos!
Thanks for sharing, what a fabulous wee car. Hope you got over your cold, I’d imagine driving this little beast would be very cathartic and dissolve all your aches and pains 😊
This was really awesome to see, listen to and go on a ride together. i would enjoy driving such a vehicle as well
Fascinating - the little Grafton looks to be a very good design - and it looks as though it works very well too.
Thanks for uploading this!
I'll swear that thing was going over the speed limit!. I expected it to chug along like a traction engine.
Unlikely, unless otherwise stated, the national speed limit on single carriageway country road in the UK is 60mph!
I don't live anywhere that is safe or practical or drive or park anything like this, but it is a wonderful machine. It seems great for where you are for just enjoying it. I love the profile of the fuel tank on the front of it when you are driving. I am shocked by the exposure of the chain to your feet though.
Hope you liked the exposed valvetrain! I know I did...from a sufficient distance, that is!😉
What a wonderful machine, Dude !!!!!.... and so cool ride !!!
Thx +++
Looks like it has total loss lubrication. Was that the tail end of a Morgan Aero that I saw in the garage ? 👍👍
That was a fantastic video and I love the countryside.
Hermoso Vehículo !! Una pieza Única ,sin duda!!!!!
Hi Eddie. I love the little Graftan. Looking forward to seeing more about it, Especially interested to see the controls. I ride a 1929 Matchless T4, she sounds very similar!
Such a nice vehicle, thank's you for this video!!
This machine is beautiful Thankyou for sharing it with us 👍👍
Super! And thank goodness the car has such a lovely aerodynamic tail, otherwise it might be a tad slow.
I was more impressed with the ultra-low rolling resistance tyres on the ultra-low mass rims, myself...😎
How about the pointy fuel tank?
Wonderful, just wonderful.
Thank you for posting.
Yes bueno thank you aca mirando este ciclo carro antiguo pero funciona como muy bien att" the charly"???
Would be good to see it over on The Isle of Man, during the Classic Grand Prix!
What a fun little car ! 👍
This seems like a great model to base an electric build on.
Beautiful 🙂 Thank You for sharing something so unique.
I would love a kit car of this thing but with an electric drive train 😳👍 Very cool, thanks for sharing! ✌️
There are indeed some velomobiles with that vintage style.
@@derb7462 Good point 👍 Maybe I should start there ✌️
Good man go for the plug 😉 thanks from old New Orleans 😎
Perfect Gnome machine.
that tiny car is definitely made for those narrow roads.
Awesome old vehicle. My grandfather had a 1915 Woods Mobilette Cycle Car (Illinois, US) but it wasn’t this small. Thanks for sharing!
Wonderful!
Very, very nice!
Matteo
Ho-ly-jeebus that thing is a death trap! That exposed chain right in the footwell is just exquisite. I love it. Better not wear loose pants!
And what WAS that bobbin with the rope coiled around it doing sitting mere centimeters off the road surface, that sat just behind & right in between the front wheels? A 1919 poverty-inspired alternative to a steering rack???🤪😬🤣
You sound like a boring person.
O pessoal fala bem das ruas da Europa, mas essa daí está bem ruim
Hi Eddie, what lovely thing that is. Very enjoyable piece of film. About kickstarting an old single, it might work if you feel for compression with the kick, and just slowly push it over that point (if it has a decompression device that might help), and then give it a kick. The flywheel mass then should help it over the next compression. My 500 Enfield starts that way, and usually just needs one or two tries. And before really starting to kick it just roll it over with the kick a few times to make it inhale fuel. Have fun!
Couldn't build it large enough to bring a friend along for the ride? Cycle cars went away in the USA because they could not compete with the Model T Ford. I'm guessing they faced similar competition in the UK versus the Austin 7.
This was brilliant!!! Thank you.
Wow! Funny grasshopper 😂.
Awesome, Amazing, Gorgeous Pre war car o Cycle Car. Enjoy your ride!! Regards from Europe Barcelona Spain
Fascinating, more please!
Brawo. Za zachowanie kawałka historii. Mam sentyment do prostoty zabytkowych pojazdów. Pozdrowienia z Polski.
Sounds like several sewing machines arguing with each other! Way to keep it alive Eddie! 💕
Well that's got to be the coolest thing I've seen this month. Call me crazy but I feel like there would be a decent market for something like this today. There's so many people trying to help save the environment by buying hybrids and electric cars, but when you take into account all the energy that goes into mining all the steel and lithium, processing it into usable materials, and shipping it around the world to build a 4000 pound vehicle, the gas mileage starts to seem pretty insignificant. This thing looks like you could pick it up and carry it. That being said, I can't say I would want to take that thing on the highway.
Well now I'm designing something similar but different. Thanks for the inspiration that thing looks super cool. Or as the kids these days say, fly.
Outstanding! Really awesome automobile history. Thanks for sharing
I've been looking for information about cyclecars and dutch laws. Anyone here know where I should look?
Driving with your ear right next to the engine. And nose right on that lawn mower engine. Now ya know what people are up against out in the boonies. Not much country fresh air and deaf as well as cold.
Real life. Adorable antique.
Nice, I thought my 1960 daily driver was old. Enjoy.