This is the home of the Iceni CAM Magazine - a free e-magazine all about Cyclemotors, Autocycles & Mopeds. It was launched on 15th April 2007 and the most recent four issues can be downloaded here. (Please contact us for copies of earlier back numbers.) For non-computerised folks, printed copies are available at 99p per edition; we can accommodate mail order too at £1.50 per single edition or £6 for a year's subscription.
Its an e-magazine all about cyclemotors, autocycles and mopeds that carries road test & feature articles, rally reports, free adverts and other assorted information. Although it's an independent production, it has strong ties to East Anglian Cyclemotor Club and also to the New Zealand Cyclaid Register.
It's based in East Anglia, but is by no means limited to that area. Much that appears in the magazine is of universal appeal. We welcome contributions, whereever they are from, and are also happy to help to publicise any events for cyclemotors, autocycles and mopeds.
We aim to publish four times annually and the publication dates will be synchronised to key events in the local calendar: the EACC Radar Run, the EACC Peninsularis Run, the Copdock Motor Cycle Show and the EACC Mince Pie Run. It's purely an enthusiast production, and all produced on a tiny budget. Nevertheless, we think you'll be pretty impressed The free downloadable version will be posted on this website on the same day as the printed version goes on sale.
The first five issues of CAM magazine were very well received. Thank you all for your comments; they are much appreciated. Several of you have also made donations, which has helped enormously in getting Iceni CAM going.
Now issue number six is available. It's another big one so we hope you enjoy it as much - or even more than - the previous five issues.
All the things you'd expect in a magazine for enthusiasts: event reports, notices of events, advertisements... In addition each issue will contain major articles about particular machines.
It's rather odd the way some of these articles develop! The Wasp and the Bee started life as a simple mini-feature on the Vespa Bravo, which just happened to be quite a nice example that was passing through, so it seemed like a good idea to do an incidental item on it.
Then Sid at Felixstowe Motorcycle & Auto Centre got his blue Piaggio Apé pick-up sorted out and offered it for a road test. What a chance to put together two such contrasting machines from the same manufacturer! Then translating from Italian, Vespa = Wasp, and Apé = Bee, so what an opportunity for a great title! The pick-up offered bags of photographic potential with the moped in the back, and some of the 'behind the scenes' stuff you don't get to see was quite amusing - like when picking up the Apé for road test, the garage Rottweiller decided he wanted to come too and 'invited' himself into the cab. It's kinda 'cosy' in that little cockpit, with a steaming 12 stone Rotty on the bench seat, panting, slobering, and snarling at its reflection in the windscreen!
At least the pick-up was a discreet blue, but taking a liking to the Apé, Sid went out and bought the bright yellow van, so we had to do that too! Driving the little banana, the amused smiles of pedestrians just say it all as you scream by at 25mph.
So it was that the Vespa Bravo mini-feature became a main feature on Piaggio...
The cost of production probably broke all economy records for a main feature. Since it started as low budget mini-feature, the Bravo shots were all done in digital, so the same format carried right on through both the Apés too, so none of the usual film costs on this occasion, just a mere £10 for fuel. Sponsorship on The Wasp and the Bee was scooped up by Felixstowe Motorcycle & Auto Centre, so lots of thanks are due to Sid for helping get this article to publication.
Doing the Dingo as support feature was a very different epic, after David Freeman bought it on Satan's website of temptation. He'd spotted from the picture that the cylinder finning appeared unusually large for a 50, with the suspicions confirmed by a few simple measurements and a bit of maths - not 50, but 75. The bike came in for general sorting, which practically involved a complete strip and rebuild to get it running and representative. Being an interesting and unusual light motor cycle knocking on for 40 years old, it was easy to see the article appeal, so we agreed to do a feature before it went back.
Being a wild dog from the Outback, there was some thinking that the Dingo might warrant an Australian theme photoshoot? Unfortunately, the ridiculously tight mini-feature budget of £6.50p for film, developing and CD didn't quite stretch as far as covering the antipodean air flight and freight, so we had to make do with pictures on the edge of woodland outside the village, then cranking open the aperture to overexpose the film to try and make it look a bit like some sunburnt outback! We put a tin of Fosters on the ground for effect, but it still seemed to lack something - then Dawn said it was a pity we couldn't get a stuffed crocodile!
Yes, it was another bit of digital trickery, but it certainly made everyone smile!
The Dingo all tied in nicely with the common theme for edition six of the magazine, since Piaggio now also own Moto Guzzi.
Collecting the sponsorship credit on the Dingo is Terry Stollery, modestly represented as 'just an IceniCAM reader'!
Perhaps a sign of how IceniCAM is going, you find us now reporting on a third feature article for the same edition! When we produced the original Clark Scamp feature article The Devil Rides Out in IceniCAM two, we received a number of responses back from our readers, and a few other interesting leads. Andrew hinted in IceniCAM three that there was more to come on the Scamp, and since that time we have turned up a few other little snippets. The anniversary seemed like the most logical date to roll out a follow-up, and the Devil's Epitaph now surely exorcises Scamp's restless soul and signs off the last chapter, seemingly leaving little more to add? Unless someone might turn up a copy of the original Coco drawings - we wish! Then again, there's still the prospect of another future feature on a Scamp 'special' on-going project, so we may not have seen the last of the little imp quite yet! Credit on this article goes to Glenn Algar as successful bidder of the 1903 'New Hudson' penny, sold for £1.60p.
With edition seven, IceniCAM enters a stunning sequence of issues, as we start a series of three main feature articles inextricably linked together. The sequence is the culmination of a series of huge on-going projects over the last seven years, stitched slowly together by converging text. First feature of the sequence takes the reader beyond mere time travel, as we slip through the floor of reality, to a strange dimension of autocycling...?
The first support feature came about as an incidental phone call, and covers a most interesting and unusual moped that's uncommon enough in this country for us to say that we can't recall ever meeting one before in the flesh. It might seem to continue from the Italian theme of IceniCAM six, except that it's not made in Italy!
Second support feature is indescribable! Words practically fail us to offer clues for this vehicle without giving the game away completely! It's a 98cc 2-stroke that momentarily appeared to widespread acclaim just before the outbreak of World War Two, only to disappear in the ensuing mêlée. Nothing has really been written about it since, so we're seriously intending to change that. Oh, and if you're looking for a lost autocycle - you're looking in the wrong place!
We're pleased that IceniCAM is now well established, created by our belief in what we do, but driven by you, the true enthusiasts, who believe in what we do too.
Travel time with IceniCAM as our intensive researches reveal more previously unpublished material. Join the IceniCAM crusade to feature, roadtest and report the most obscure and exotic Cyclemotors, Autocycles and Mopeds.
Well, there's this Website... we've put a lot of useful information here, and we're alwas adding to it. We have a directory of useful people to know. Information on local events: route sheets, maps, etc, are here as downloadable documents and, after each run, we put photos of the event on this website. There's also a market place where you can buy and sell mopeds, autocycles, cyclemotors and other related items
As each edition of the magazine is published, we add to our collection of articles. From Edition 3 of the magazine, we introduced another evolution. Previously, features in the articles section had reflected what appeared in the magazine, but you may now discover a bit of extra content has crept into some items as they've transferred to the website - you might call it "The Directors Cut". The problem with printed magazines is editing everything to fit page sizes and space, and there can sometimes be bits you'd like to include, but they have to be left out to fit the available space. The web articles don't need to be constrained by the same limitations so, although the text will remain the same, the 'Directors Cut' graphic in the header indicates the item carries extra pictures and bits that didn't make it to the magazine.
We have also started up an Information Service - if you want to know more about your moped, we can help.
Iceni CAM Magazine is committed to celebrating all that's good about the Cyclemotor, Moped and Autocycle scene in our area; researching toward the advancement of the pool of knowledge about cyclemotors, autocycles, old mopeds, and other oddities; and the publication of original material.
Though the Iceni Magazine is only about a year old, the production team has been working together for several years, generating articles for other publications. We are a declared non-profit making production, though we still need to fund everything somehow to keep the show on the road.
The magazine is free on line, and the nominal price of supplying hard copies to non-computerised folks is pitched only to cover printing and postage. All advertising is free since we believe that the few people left out there providing parts & service for these obsolete machines do so as a hobby and an interest. This involves far more effort than reward, and they should be appreciated for the assistance they provide.
Overheads involve operation of the website, and particularly the generation of features. Articles like 'Last Flight of the Eagle' can cost as little as £20 to complete, while others have cost up to £150 to generate, eg: Top Cat on the Leopard Bobby.
How long does it take to research, produce, and get these feature articles to press? Well, up to two years of preparatory research in some cases, where little is known about the machine or its makers, and where nothing has been published before. Then, collating all the information and interviews, drafting and re-drafting the text, travel and photoshoots typically account for up to 40 to 50 hours to deliver the package to editing.
There are many examples where these articles have become the definitive reference material for previously unpublished machines like Mercury Mercette & Hermes, Leopard Bobby, Ostler Mini-Auto, Dunkley Whippet & Popular, Stella Minibike, Ambassador Moped, Elswick Hopper Lynx, and many others.
We're committed to continuing to produce these articles, because we believe it needs to be done, and we've got a proven track record for achieving it. Nobody else has done it in 50 odd years, so if we don't do it - who will?
To whet your appetite for what's ahead, here's a list of machines with developing articles for future features: Ariel 3, Ariel Pixie, Atco Trainer minicar, Avanti Super City, Busy Bee cyclemotor, Cyc-Auto (Wallington Butt), Cyc-Auto (Villiers), Dot ViVi, Douglas/Vespa Vespino Tourist Rally, Dunkley S65, Dunkley Whippet Super Sports, Elswick-Hopper VAP MIRA test prototype, Francis-Barnett Powerbike 50, Garelli Como, Gilera Sport 50, Hercules Her-cu-motor, Honda Chaley, Honda Dax, Honda P50 ohc, Honda PC50 ohv, James Comet, James Trade Carrier Autocycle, Kerry Capitano, Kriedler Florett, Levules Trade Carrier Autocycle, Norman Trade Carrier Autocycle, Norman Lido, Phillips Panda, Powell Joybike, Raynal Autocycle, SIM minibike, Solifer Speed, Solo 726, Sun Autocycle, Sun Motorette, Suzuki Street Magic, Tailwind cyclemotor, Vincent Firefly, Yamaha Chappy.
The working list changes all the time as articles are completed and published, and further new machines become added - so as you see, there's certainly no shortage of material.
Readers have probably noticed a number of the articles collecting sponsorship credits, and we're very grateful of the donations people have made toward IceniCAM, which certainly assures we're going forward into another year. We don't need a lot of money since IceniCAM is a declared non-profit making organisation, and operates on a shoestring (and we'd like to keep it that way) - run by enthusiasts, for enthusiasts.
It's easy to sponsor an article by either picking a machine from the forward list, and we'll attach your credit to it, or simply making a donation. There is no fixed amount, it's entirely up to you, and however large or small, we're grateful for any contribution to keep the show on the road.
If a vehicle you're interested in seeing an article about isn't in the list, then let us know and we'll see about trying to add it in the programme, but we do need access to examples - perhaps you have a machine you'd like to offer for a feature?
See the Contact Page for how to: Subscribe to the magazine - Make a donation - Sponsor an article - Enter a free advert - Submit an article yourself - Write a letter to us - Propose a machine for feature - Offer your machine for test feature - ...
August is the height of the summer holiday season and, contrary to popular rumour, the members of the IceniCAM team are allowed time off for good behaviour. If we're not as quick as usual in replying to your enquiries during the next few weeks, please be patient, it may be because there's no one here.
We're pleased to annouce that Brian Colter has joined the IceniCAM team as our VéloSolex adviser. We'll let Brian introduce himself...
"I help people regularly with Solex questions/problems through e-mails, telephone, and on several sites, including the Solex Owners of America forum: http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/solexownersofamerica/, Moped Army: http://www.mopedarmy.com/forums/, the German Solex forum: http://velosolexforum.foren-city.de/, several French forums: green forum: http://www.rezoweb.com/forum/annonces/solex.shtml, 4600 forum: http://www.rezoweb.com/forum/moto/solex4600.shtml, the 5000 forum: http://www.rezoweb.com/forum/moto/plisolex5000.shtml and the 6000 forum: http://www.rezoweb.com/forum/moto/velosolex6000fl.shtml. I am the only one listed as a VeloCruz Solex Master Mechanic: http://www.velocruz.com/dealers.htm#ny. I have rebuilt hundreds of Solex motors and dozens of complete Solex bikes. You can see some photos of some of my work on my photo page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/63216488@N00/. I also have a website with a lot of information and photos on it: http://briansolex.free.fr. It is really my pleasure to help people with Solex problems and questions."
Velosolex is trying to help change the world, one rider at a time. This September a group of very dedicated VéloSoleX riders will be going to the United States from the Netherlands to ride the world famous Route 66 to raise money for schools in remote areas of Indonesia. They will start in Chicago and ride all the way through to Santa Monica on the Pacific Coast on their new VéloSoleX 4800s being trailed by a Dutch TV news station crew. One woman and nineteen men will be traveling across the continental United States for this historic charitable ride.
Who are these riders from the Netherlands? You can visit their website: www.tjoptjoppers.nl. Watch them being interviewed on Netherlands TV in Dutch: www.tvoost.nl/Programma/?id=204&uitz=67374 (click on KIJK) All donations collected during the Route 66 operation will be used to finance a home (shelter) and school education for a dozen street children in Indonesia. The starting point will be at Warbux Mopeds in Chicago.
Available for the probably the first time in 50 years, RollerDrive has started manufacturing new replacement drive rollers for cyclemotors, also the related special extractors for servicing these items. The range has initially launched with machined steel drive rollers and extractor kits for the Vincent Firefly and Itom Tourist cyclemotors. These represent a practical way to begin, since the large diameter cast Firefly roller is particularly prone to wear, causing drive slippage in any damp conditions and reducing the gear ratio to compromise top speed. For the Itom Tourist, the original composite grit rollers commonly break away from their alloy core, at which point these motors are completely disabled since no replacements have previously been available.
There are plans to progressively extend the range of rollers and extractor kits produced, with Trojan Mini-Motor rollers planned as the next project. For more details and prices see the RollerDrive page at Mopedland.
A gathering of VéloSoleXes and Citroëns on the nearest Sunday to Bastille Day is now an established event in New York City. Here's one of Brian Colter's pictures of the rendezvous.
The latest line announced by Mopedland is genuine leather, old-style toolbags suitable for fitting to cyclemotor, autocycle, moped, and cycle saddles with 4" mounting centres. They're big enough to hold a spark plug spanner, spare plugs, pliers, small screwdriver, cycle spanner, etc. Available in black or dark brown at £25 each. Special sizes and bag designs can be accommodated to order and bags can also be embossed with a names or logos. See the Mopedland site for more information.
It looks as if another tyre supplier is taking the opportunity of moving into the gap in the moped tyre market left by Michelin's departure. Robin Cowling of Suffolk Wheels sends the information that Continental are now posting up a range of Conti moped sizes in KKs10 tread pattern.
| Code | Size | List price (inc vat) |
|---|---|---|
| 01 27 400 | 2×16 M/C 20B | £18.63 |
| 01 27 600 | 2.25×16 M/C 38B | £19.74 |
| 01 27 800 | 2.5×16 M/C 42B | £21.62 |
| 02 44 200 | 2×17 M/C 22B | £16.83 |
| 01 28 800 | 2.25×17 M/C 39B | £20.60 |
| 01 30 000 | 2×19 M/C 24B | £16.82 |
| 01 30 400 | 2.25×19 M/C 41B | £20.60 |
| 01 36 300 | 2×22 M/C 26B | £24.35 |
Riding his Kerry Capitano 3-speed at The Radar Run, Carl Harper was spotted with one of these new 2×19 Continentals on the back, and reported it rode fine. Maybe he should be trying one at the other end, since the old Michelins tend to let go up the front end on these machines!
This page was updated on 27 August 2008