"coelacanthist" (coelacanthist)
12/15/2015 at 17:20 • Filed to: None
2
1|
"coelacanthist" (coelacanthist)
12/15/2015 at 17:20 • Filed to: None | 2
| 1 |
It actually wasn’t that hard.
Meet the Di Blasi R7 folding motor bike. This 50cc two stroke wonder is designed to be folded into the smallest package possible. They are marketed for use by boaters, pilots, RVers, and the like. Weighing about 65 pounds, when folded they take up less than 5 cubic feet of storage space. Once unfolded, a process taking several whole seconds, you have at your disposal a street legal, and borderline adequate mode of transportation.
I say borderline because of the light weight of the scooter and the tiny wheels and tires. The mass of your average adult [aged] male perched atop the Di Blasi R7 creates a rather precarious situation when you start talking about mass and center of gravity. I wouldn’t call it dangerous, but if you have ever ridden one of those little pocket bikes, you know exactly what I mean. Never the less, they have legitimate titles, and moped license plates. They have heavy duty canvas bags for easy transportation, and I don’t care what anyone says, they are freaking awesome.
The R7 is the current version of the same basic design Di Blasi has been selling since the 1970’s. Introduced in 1979, the R7 is powered by a proprietary 50cc, two cycle engine with a Dellorto carburetor. Producing a whopping 1.3 horse power according to the factory specs, it’s good for about 30 mph (fine by me). It’s predecessor, the R2 had the same basic constriction, but was powered by a Franco Moroni engine. The history of the company and its founder can be found !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Rosario Di Blasi also dabbled in wankle engines, and was an aviator, so pretty damn oppo in my book.
The two silver ones are actually constructed mostly of stainless steel. Dubbed the Mariner, these were specifically designed for marine applications, i.e. stashed away beneath deck of your 50’ power yacht for hassle free transportation when you pull into St. Tropez (a guy can dream). These two specifically are headed to the central coast of California. The white one is staying with me here in Texas.
This all started when my good friend, and small displacement vehicle aficionado, discovered the trio for sale in Dallas TX. A long way for him, but an afternoon drive for me. These by the way will be his third and fourth Di Blasis since he dragged one home from a flea market when we were still teens. I boxed them up and shipped them fedex. How many street legal vehicles can you do that with? As for my end of the deal, I got a great bulk discount price on the white one which needs just a bit of love.
There is an electric version offered as well. After driving home breathing the fumes from the residual fuel left in the lines, I can see the appeal. On the other hand, tinkering with two strokes is one of my favorite things. I’ll be returning the white one to its stock condition over the winter. Come spring, I may even use it on my short commute to work. Anyone else ever seen one of these?
Oh and no, these are not the bikes from that one top gear episode, although these were purchased from a guy trying to start a similar “sober ride” service.
RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> coelacanthist
12/15/2015 at 17:31 |
|
My family used to have a Honda PC50 like this one that had been modified to fold in the middle of the chassis tube. Obviously no Motocompo, but it made for a decently tiny package.