As most FFs in this country were built by 'millenialls' or 'war babies' like me, it follows that many of them qualify as 'historic vehicles' - more than 30 years old. Like FJ, and all the Voyagers and Quasars, Phasars, slugs and other forma of similar life. So this comprehensive report may be of some interest, not least in outlining the significant industry such vehicles generate. It's directly related to the 'car builder' community, 'custom' bikes and motor racing.

Hi Everybody

Pic attached is last memento of the TRX850FF - top wishbone assembly...

See comments elsewhere,

All the best

Jon Hall

I may be the last person here to have seen this, if not Youtube has this piece from something called bigcar and an unamed narrator that's worth a look for two reasons

One, it's an example of journalism at it's worse, it's English but it completely ignores any English contributions to the genesis of the C.1 except for;-

Here's a link to some BMW vapourware, of almost zero significance. It looks like some student has stumbled across the C.1 project.

https://www.cycleworld.com/story/motorcycle-news/bmw-safety-bike/

Maybe they'll also find the CE04/link project in the fullness of time. I wish I could afford to waste time like this!

Dear FF community,

As we approach the first anniversary of the passing of Ken Leaman, on behalf of Malcolm Newell’s family, I wanted to say a few words of appreciation and recognition. Ken, a former aircraft engineer, through much hard work and hassle, helped develop, define, and produce Dad’s vision of the Quasar. Although coming from “totally different worlds”, both men were on the same creative wavelength. While their formal Quasar relationship finished in 1981, their friendship continued. When Dad died suddenly in 1994, Ken had been “waiting to get back” to the project.

January's Vintage Motorcycle (VMMC) Magazine features a piece on a Mr. John Harding, a builder of multiple 'Specials'. one of which is actually an FF, a basic cut'n shut of an RD400. Bodyless and similar to the several simple cut'n shuts built in the late seventies - John Bruce's BSA being probably the best known. Mr. Hardings example is chiefly notable for the extreme increase in wheelbase and he unsurprisingly complains about low speed handling. More interesting is that it was built in the nineties, after "Wide discussion" in the motorcycle press.

I'm very happy to put up this piece by the world's leading FF race expert. It's a bonanza for social media trolls everywhere, enough material to keep them off the streets forever. For those on the street, race or otherwise, Rob offers some really interesting innovations in dynamics, extending the FF performance envelope. Think before you troll. This guy has actually raced this stuff. Great thing racing. Put up or Shut up.
Nice one Rob. A happy holiday and a better new year;- https://rohorn.blogspot.com/2020/12/but-why.html

EMN again - (at least it's current news not history) Scroll down this link to see them almost do an FF electric Cargo Scooter! They got the electric, the seatback, the cargo box... So near! So uninspired.

https://electricmotorcycles.news/the-b4-from-blacksmith-electric-has-been-designed-to-meet-the-needs-of-both-individuals-and-professionals/

Electric Motorcyckle News (EMN) run a piece by Beligian designer Eric Viomens extolling trhe virtues of Feet First two wheelers, expressly in relation to Electric power. There's visulisations, vapourware and a photo of steel, being welded. Norman Hossack will be proud to see his front suspension system displayed. It's all the usal FF stuff but good to see a new take on the subject and excellent to see it in a non-FF publication. Good luck Eric! I'll buy him a beer(If they'll let him in and there are any pubs left and he'll probably have to bring the beer...).

In my probably pointless pursuit of an electric powered replacement for my ancient Voyager, I've established some cost estimates for an electric powertrain roughly equivelent to BMW's C-Evo (long range version) - comfortably enough to produce Voyager-levels of performance, if not range. These are from local E-bicycle* enthusiasts and battery specialists.

Hi I have just to many projects, so if anybody wants to take this over, they are welcome to it for free. I was obviously going to convert it to a lightweight electric FF, and although i bought a nice motor and controller, ( these do not come with the bike ) it never got started. Basically its a Sachs 125cc just as it is in pics, all the front end has gone, i only had to cut through one tube to set it free, and i may have a few more pieces available, just found a headlight, but you don't get the blue box, i just used headlights to drain battery's for testing.

Anyone contemplating designing, building or buying anything like one of these Monoracers should watch (several times) this video. So much detail. We could have done with camera work like this thirty ears ago!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJ9jLYA0830&list=PLVvzYlefm5vagxLGyWBrE_-AZBXkvvYKy&index=4

Caution. May be a bit modern for this site.

Here's quite a lengthy video from Peraves, all in-cockpit, shot on the road and Brno circuit, a lot in wet conditions. Answers a lot of questions. It's not a racer but it plays well on the autobahn. Very interesting watching the screen clearing rain at different speeds. For many reasons.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVvzYlefm5vagxLGyWBrE_-AZBXkvvYKy

You may have noticed, in the Guradian Newspaper (27th. July), a plan to electrify the left-hand lanes of motorways, by overhead cables, for use by suitably modified trucks.

Brillient idea, which I detailed in correspondance with my MP, the D.o.T. and the Road Haulage Association, starting in October 2000. Obviously tyhe D.o.T. rubbished the idea (Lord Whitty) and the RHA didn't bother to reply, but that's not the point.

Now we know exactly how long it takes for an idea to soak through British Industrial and academic society

I don’t miss the Elf with the ‘ammer, to be found lurking inside most Guzzi gearboxes; but I have replaced him with a very hot Meercat.

All automated Sergei
As expected, revs are a lot higher, particularly if you want to make reasonable progress; but it’s not like just keeping in a lower gear. The revs rise with the throttle, not with the road speed; then when you come off the throttle, the revs drop away, but the road speed remains. Rather a strange disconnection. Certainly not a set up for hustling around the country lanes. You have to lie back and relax.

Hot Wheels

It was on the way back from a business meeting in Paris, on Voyager; having been down in La Tour Blanche in 2018, that I made the decision, although the idea had been festering for many years.

Background

Here's a very recent video of the E-Monoracer driving about a town and motorway. Good quality film, the Monoracer is almost silent.

https://youtu.be/M-I3A4EWDQE This really should be up in "Films" with all the other FF videos

It comes with an announcement that I think is about a demo's at Brno in June/July, some of which have already happened. I'll come back with more info once Ingrid has read it.

Another interesting entry in Electric Motorcycle News;-
https://electricmotorcycles.news/silence-launches-its-new-s02-ls-electric-scooter-in-europe/

The most overt electric "Cargo-Scooter" offering yet. If this continues it seems inevitable to me that FFs will be re-invented by electric scooter manufacturers. None of whome will have heard of Bikeweb, Peraves, Lightning, or indeed the term "FF"

Lightning Motorcycles said they'd do an enclosed E-FF this summer - and here it is. You can easily contact Lightning Motorcycles and congratulate them...

No details yet, just a short clip of it passing, sounding electyric an all. Not an unreasonable shape

https://youtu.be/4Sm9znxelrU