Look what I've just bought!!!!!!

Look what I've just bought!!!!!!

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kamilb1998

Original Poster:

2,220 posts

179 months

Sunday 11th September 2011
quotequote all
I've always wanted one, and finally one's come up fairly cheap so I bagged it! biggrin Its a 1985 Sinclair C5, been stood in a barn since 1988, and will need some work to bring it up to tip-top condition. The purchase of this, does, however mean that the quad's engine won't be getting rebuilt till about December-ish. But with it being fairly cheap I just had to buy it. I've already paid a deposit, and will be picking it up at the end of October. Can't wait!!





kamilb1998

Original Poster:

2,220 posts

179 months

Sunday 11th September 2011
quotequote all
The Crack Fox said:
These are slow, dangerous, eco and therefore rubbish. I'd love one smile
That's why I bought one!biglaugh

kamilb1998

Original Poster:

2,220 posts

179 months

Sunday 11th September 2011
quotequote all
snotrag said:
eBay - kart engine. Rotax or something. Do it!
Not now, I want to ride it on the road!

kamilb1998

Original Poster:

2,220 posts

179 months

Sunday 11th September 2011
quotequote all
JQ said:
How much did you pay? I've got my old one sitting in garage gathering dust, if they're worth a bit I might have to dig it out and stick it on Ebay.

As for the comments about upping the power - sheer madness. They were really easy to tip over at their original tiny power levels, I dread to think what it'd be like with more power. Good luck with the restoration, but bear in mind they were horrifically unreliable when brand new, I can't imagine it's got any better with age.
I paid £175, however this was the cheapest one I'd seen for a while. Wash it, get some good pics in the sun and it could sell for around £250.

kamilb1998

Original Poster:

2,220 posts

179 months

Sunday 11th September 2011
quotequote all
drivin_me_nuts said:
There must be some palm itching toothbrushist would be delighted to do it gratis, only for the kudos of having done a C5.
I'm that sort of person, and can't wait to get my hands on it and start cleaning it! getmecoat

kamilb1998

Original Poster:

2,220 posts

179 months

Sunday 11th September 2011
quotequote all
drivin_me_nuts said:
No offence chap. It was written kinda tongue in cheek. Sorry if it offended you .
None taken, I don't know why the getmecoat smilie is there. I must have clicked it by accident

kamilb1998

Original Poster:

2,220 posts

179 months

Monday 12th September 2011
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chrisxr2 said:
Didnt realise they had gone up that much, do you know its definately a runner. Wife will be annoyed at what a good investment my 130 quid has turned out to be.


kamilb1998 said:
JQ said:
How much did you pay? I've got my old one sitting in garage gathering dust, if they're worth a bit I might have to dig it out and stick it on Ebay.

As for the comments about upping the power - sheer madness. They were really easy to tip over at their original tiny power levels, I dread to think what it'd be like with more power. Good luck with the restoration, but bear in mind they were horrifically unreliable when brand new, I can't imagine it's got any better with age.
I paid £175, however this was the cheapest one I'd seen for a while. Wash it, get some good pics in the sun and it could sell for around £250.
No, the guy didn't have a battery that would go into it to test it.

kamilb1998

Original Poster:

2,220 posts

179 months

Friday 30th September 2011
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If all goes to plan the C5 should be with me by Friday. biggrin Can't wait!!

kamilb1998

Original Poster:

2,220 posts

179 months

Friday 7th October 2011
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Got home with it at midnight last night. Its a grey boot model (Serial no. 100050201245). I am amazed with the way its turned out, the chassis only has a couple of rust spots and the rear 'hoop' is mint. Took about an hours work to get it cleaned with two of us scrubbing away. It also came with the original toolkit, Owners Manual, C5 charger & even the rear Customer Quality Assurance Inspection Check Point sticker which I took off carefully and stored safely.

Coming home;


Accessories;



Before;





After;



kamilb1998

Original Poster:

2,220 posts

179 months

Saturday 8th October 2011
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I put a new tyre on the front (rear ones were in good nick), new inner tubes all round, greased the wheel bearings and went for a quick pedal up & down the close. This was fun, I can't wait to try it when the battery arrives.


kamilb1998

Original Poster:

2,220 posts

179 months

Saturday 8th October 2011
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williamp said:
Excellent. Dont forgte to buy thr wet weather kit and give us a photo of you in it!




While looking for this I found the c5alive forum, which I presume you know about??
I'd rather get soaked than wear that! laugh I know about the site, I bought this through the C5 alive website.

kamilb1998

Original Poster:

2,220 posts

179 months

Saturday 8th October 2011
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HereBeMonsters said:
I've always wanted one of these. What is security like? Can you lock it securely at a station during the day?
Not really, no. I guess you could get a tonneau cover for it and put a motorcycle chain lock round the front wheel?

kamilb1998

Original Poster:

2,220 posts

179 months

Saturday 8th October 2011
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Tyre Smoke said:
How much were they new?
£399, I believe.

kamilb1998

Original Poster:

2,220 posts

179 months

Sunday 9th October 2011
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Well, I was desperate to get out on it but I don't have a battery for it yet. So I phoned the local non-emergency number and asked them if an under 14 yr old is allowed to ride a C5 on the road without a battery. They didn't know but said they would call back, about 30mins later I got a call saying that it is legal as long as I don't use battery power before I'm 14. biggrin I did about 7 miles on it today, everyone loves it, it gets loads of thumbs up from people, and I've had some people even asking me if they could have a go. I may ride it to school tomorrow.


kamilb1998

Original Poster:

2,220 posts

179 months

Tuesday 11th October 2011
quotequote all
It lives!!!!!

The keys came through the post today along with the original invoice, Safe Driving Guide and various letters. Not knowing the paperwork will be in there I wripped the envelope to get to the keys and accidently ended up wripping all the original paperwork frown. Then I spent half an hour carefully sellotaping all the paperwork back together.

After this I went and wired up a battery direct to the keyswitch and the pod lit up and when I pressed the motor switch, the motor burst into life! I think I really have bought a good 'un, especially at the price I got it at!! biggrin

kamilb1998

Original Poster:

2,220 posts

179 months

Tuesday 11th October 2011
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JasonJH said:
Any modifications planned like the post above biggrin
Not yet.. laugh

kamilb1998

Original Poster:

2,220 posts

179 months

Tuesday 11th October 2011
quotequote all
RZ1 said:
Fantastic get a video up so we can see it running
I can't get a video because I haven't got a battery that will go into it, I only got it going today by holding two wires from the battery to the exposed pieces on the wires at the keyswitch and had a mate press on the 'go' button while the back was in the air. Dad said he'll get me a battery for it when the Alfa's sold though biggrin

kamilb1998

Original Poster:

2,220 posts

179 months

Tuesday 11th October 2011
quotequote all
Gompo said:
What sort of battery does it take..?
Just a standard 048 car battery will fit within the battery top.

kamilb1998

Original Poster:

2,220 posts

179 months

Tuesday 11th October 2011
quotequote all
I dragged my brother in to get a picture and a video while I hold the wires to make it go, so coming up one out of focus photo of the pod and one dodgy video of the wheel turning, and one that I took of the paperwork (which isn't much better) laugh




kamilb1998

Original Poster:

2,220 posts

179 months

Friday 14th October 2011
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Went into town on it today in search of a bolt for the Jag's camshaft sprocket and wasn't expecting it to attract so much attention! I had people coming up and saying how it takes them back to when they were first launched, coming up for a general chat about it and giving me the thumbs up when I drive past. I've never been in anything that draws so much attention laugh