Cabin cycle
Encyclopedia
A cabin cycle is a form of land vehicle with a hull that wraps around the basic bicycle
or motorcycle
design. Unlike traditional designs, the chassis can be moulded to reduce drag when travelling at high speeds. Some 3-wheeled variants are commonly known as auto rickshaw
s or tuk-tuks. In Czech Republic and Slovakia, they are also called "dalniks". Streamliner
variants have been known for challenging land speed records, with the current fastest FIM
record of 322.150 mph, set by Easyriders Streamliner.
Although not a strict requirement, most cabin motorcycles are also classified as two wheeled cars or feet forwards motorcycle
s.
In the 1930s, an Aero Vodochody
engineer named Jan Anderle created a series of dalnik motorcycles. His idea of building an inexpensive two-wheeled car proved to be very popular with other Eastern European handymen
after WW2, and many more experimental models were made. Anderle and his wife escaped to the West after the partitioning of Eastern Europe, but his wife persuaded him to return. Unfortunately, after they got back, he was arrested for treason and forced to work in the state uranium mines for the next 15 years. He spent much of the rest of his life in poverty and died in obscurity in 1982. Still, his influence over the vehicle type whose name he coined was immeasurable.
Bicycle
A bicycle, also known as a bike, pushbike or cycle, is a human-powered, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A person who rides a bicycle is called a cyclist, or bicyclist....
or motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
design. Unlike traditional designs, the chassis can be moulded to reduce drag when travelling at high speeds. Some 3-wheeled variants are commonly known as auto rickshaw
Auto rickshaw
An auto rickshaw or three-wheeler is a usually three-wheeled cabin cycle for private use and as a vehicle for hire. It is a motorized version of the traditional pulled rickshaw or cycle rickshaw...
s or tuk-tuks. In Czech Republic and Slovakia, they are also called "dalniks". Streamliner
Streamliner
A streamliner is a vehicle incorporating streamlining in a shape providing reduced air resistance. The term is applied to high-speed railway trainsets of the 1930s to 1950s, and to their successor "bullet trains". Less commonly, the term is applied to fully faired recumbent bicycles...
variants have been known for challenging land speed records, with the current fastest FIM
Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme
The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme is the governing body of motorcycle racing. It represents 103 national motorcycle federations that are divided into six regional continental unions....
record of 322.150 mph, set by Easyriders Streamliner.
Although not a strict requirement, most cabin motorcycles are also classified as two wheeled cars or feet forwards motorcycle
Feet forwards motorcycle
A Feet First Motorcycle is a class of motorcycle design that seeks to look at the two-wheeled concept afresh, and create a new form of practical personal transport...
s.
History
The origin of cabin motorcycles can be traced to the 1920s, when it was an experiment known as Mauser. Contemporary builders such as Larel Horak were also credited for the early cabin motorcycle designs.In the 1930s, an Aero Vodochody
Aero Vodochody
Aero Vodochody is a Czech aircraft company, active from 1919, notable for producing the L-29 Delfin, L-39 Albatros, L-59 Super Albatros and the L-159 Alca....
engineer named Jan Anderle created a series of dalnik motorcycles. His idea of building an inexpensive two-wheeled car proved to be very popular with other Eastern European handymen
Roustabout
A roustabout is a labourer typically performing temporary, unskilled work. The term has traditionally been used to refer to traveling-circus workers, natural gas, or oil rig workers....
after WW2, and many more experimental models were made. Anderle and his wife escaped to the West after the partitioning of Eastern Europe, but his wife persuaded him to return. Unfortunately, after they got back, he was arrested for treason and forced to work in the state uranium mines for the next 15 years. He spent much of the rest of his life in poverty and died in obscurity in 1982. Still, his influence over the vehicle type whose name he coined was immeasurable.
List of cabin cycle manufacturers
- AcabionAcabionAcabion is the designer and manufacturer of Acabion Road Streamliners. The Headquarter of Acabion is in Lucerne, Switzerland. Its primary official is the Lucerne based engineer Dr.-Ing. Peter Maskus.- External links :* * *...
- Adiva (by Benelli)
- Bajaj AutoBajaj AutoBajaj Auto is a major Indian vehicle manufacturer started by Jamnalal Bajaj from Rajasthan in the 1930s. It is based in Pune, Maharashtra, with plants in Chakan , Waluj and Pantnagar in Uttaranchal. The oldest plant at Akurdi now houses the R&D centre Ahead...
- Benelli
- BMW C1BMW C1The BMW C1 is an enclosed scooter manufactured by Bertone for BMW.-Models and options:Two models were manufactured. The '125' model has a 124 cc capacity four valve, four-stroke, water-cooled, fuel injected engine producing . The '200' model has a 176 cc engine producing...
(discontinued 2003) - CarverCarver (automobile)The Carver is a tilting three wheeled vehicle using an automatic balancing technology to balance the passenger compartment under all conditions. The first commercial Carver product, the Carver One, was designed to seat two people, and manufactured and distributed by Carver Europe in the Netherlands...
- Campagna T-Rex
- Diamo (Velux)
- Fine Mobile GmbH (TWIKETWIKEThe TWIKE is a human-electric hybrid vehicle /light electric vehicle designed to carry two passengers and cargo. It can be driven in electric-only mode or electric + pedal power mode .Constructed of lightweight materials such as aluminium and plastic, this...
) - 4 Seasons Velos
- HondaHondais a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
(GYRO CanopyHonda CanopyThe Honda Gyro is a family of small, three-wheeled, single-occupant vehicles sold primarily in Japan, and often used for delivery or express service....
) - NSU Motorenwerke AGNSU Motorenwerke AGNSU Motorenwerke AG, normally just NSU, was a German manufacturer of automobiles, motorcycles and pedal cycles, founded in 1873. It was acquired by Volkswagen Group in 1969...
- Norsjö Shopper
- Peraves AG (Ecomobile, MonoTracer, eTracer)
- PiaggioPiaggioPiaggio based in Pontedera, Italy encompasses seven brands of scooters, motorcycles and compact commercial vehicles. As the fourth largest producer of scooters and motorcycles in the world, Piaggio produces more than 600,000 vehicles annually, with five research and development centers, more than...
- QuasarQuasar (motorcycle)The Quasar was a semi-enclosed feet forward motorcycle, created by Malcolm Newell and Ken Leaman,who made a number of similar vehicles.It used an 850 cc engine built by Reliant Motors and was capable of cruising at 90–100 mph and exceeding 100 mph in favourable...
- WeatherVelo
See Also
- Auto rickshawAuto rickshawAn auto rickshaw or three-wheeler is a usually three-wheeled cabin cycle for private use and as a vehicle for hire. It is a motorized version of the traditional pulled rickshaw or cycle rickshaw...
- Kabinenroller (cabin-scooter)
- VelomobileVelomobileA velomobile or bicycle car is a human-powered vehicle, enclosed for aerodynamic advantage and protection from weather and collisions. They are virtually always single-passenger vehicles. They are derived from recumbent bicycles and tricycles, with the addition of a full fairing . There are few...
(pedal-powered enclosed vehicle)