Topic: Hi from the South Coast!

[danny7147]

Hi all, new to C5's, but not new to restoring bicycles.

We've got a collection of various bicycles/motorised bikes that we've restored and taken to shows around the south... our collection's pretty impressive and ranges from a 1915 Humber (did have a 1905 Sunbeam but sold it recently!) to Police bicycles, to midwives, to Raleigh Runabouts and Norman Nippy's!

Well, in the runup to Christmas my wife asked me what I'd like and I said I'd always quite liked the idea of having a C5... well, she found one and it's now my latest project!

I'll admit it's not the prettiest right now, but it'll get there. Within a couple of days I found a pair of mirrors for it  That said, it still needs the indicators, high-viz mast etc etc, but it's a nice project. I picked up a battery today that slides into the recess perfectly! I did my research, read the posts, and found a 40Ah ex-FIAT Panda battery in excellent used condition down the road from me for £22 and for the first ride it certainly seems to give it the right kick!

Anyway, the first two things I REALLY want to sort out are:-

1. It's missing the moulded plastic front wheel surrounds. I guess they have a technical name, maybe not, but I can't seem to find them!
2. It needs a boot lock. I'll do a bit more reading on this to see what other people use...

Anyway, nice to meet you, that's me 

Danny.

[Luke S]

Hi and welcome to C5Alive. Do you have any photos of your C5 and the collection of bikes 

Luke

[Luke S]

Ask Chas for a boot lock I'm sure he has one for sale

http://c5alive.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,1071.0.html

[KarlG]

Hi Danny,

welcome to the fold, and nice to see another C5er.

I'm sure you'll find all the help you need as I have done.

As far as your present requirements are concerned try contacting Bobo (Karl of C5Alive) or Chas, or if you have the patience evilBay. 

Cheers.   KarlG

[danny7147]

Hi and welcome to C5Alive. Do you have any photos of your C5 and the collection of bikes 

Luke

Lots of photos, but none on my Kindle which I'm using to write this.... but leave that with me!

Thanks for the welcome too... I'm well aware just how vital marque forums can be. I specialise in Norman bicycles and on the Norman club forum I get fairly inundated with questions, which I have to admit is quite nice The challenge has gone slightly though which, again, is another reason for learning about C5s!

Quick query though, I already know that mirrors, indicators and high viz masts are the "holy trail items", but what's a ball park figure that they should fetch?

[Luke S]

Well I know the Hi Viz Mast is to make you more visible as you sit quite low to the ground, but I am not quite sure what the mirrors, indicators and the mud flaps are meant to help. I have all the accessories for the C5 but not the horn, I just think it's nice to have them

[Luke S]

It's missing the moulded plastic front wheel surrounds. I guess they have a technical name, maybe not, but I can't seem to find them!

Ask Karl (BooBoo) for one as he has broken 3 of his C5's for spares, if he dose not have one the do pop up on eBay every now and again.

PS: They don't have a technical name I don't think, they are just called a front wheel cover

Luke

[Luke S]

There is a front wheel cover on eBay if BooBoo dose not have one


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sinclair-c5-Front-wheel-cover-/230904595289?pt=UK_Collectables_Vintage_RL&hash=item35c2fc8359



Luke

[kamilb1998]

Hi and welcome to C5Alive. Do you have any photos of your C5 and the collection of bikes 

Luke

Lots of photos, but none on my Kindle which I'm using to write this.... but leave that with me!

Thanks for the welcome too... I'm well aware just how vital marque forums can be. I specialise in Norman bicycles and on the Norman club forum I get fairly inundated with questions, which I have to admit is quite nice The challenge has gone slightly though which, again, is another reason for learning about C5s!

Quick query though, I already know that mirrors, indicators and high viz masts are the "holy trail items", but what's a ball park figure that they should fetch?

The are worth what somebody is prepared to pay for them, but I wouldn't pay more than £50 for a mast, £150 for mirrors and £150 for indicators though they can and have previously sold for more.

[KarlG]

I bought my mast and mirrors 6 or 7 years ago and didn't pay anywhere near these figures, BUT I been watching the prices rise and rise until ridiculous prices are being paid. The incomplete indicator set in ebay is an example. I can't see the prices dropping but only to climb even higher. I also think most of the old/new spares have been used up, garages, lofts, and cellars have been cleared out, and the stuff in the future will be from stripped C5s.

I could be, and hope that I am, wrong. I need a set of indicators. 

But this problem is not new, it's happening in most other fields these days. Photos that I was buying for up to £10 a few years ago are now going for over £200, plastic model kits going for over €2,500, empty boxes from kits for £180 etc.

[kamilb1998]

Let's hope Adam Harper makes a return at some point. Would be nice to buy some new accessories at slightly more sensible prices.