#Quasar bike full
The BBC’s Top Gear did a full feature on three Quasars in April 1988, and Quasar enthusiasts still continue to gather at bike meetings. It may have lacked funding to continue production, and to this day there may only be twenty or so of the bikes in existence, but the bike’s legacy lives on to the credit of its designers. The Quasar is still viewed as a fascinating concept, a British idea of engineering that was new and revolutionary for its time, and helped shape the future of the industry. It could comfortably sustain 100 mph indefinitely and reach a max speed of 110 mph. The bike was able to offer excellent aerodynamics with a full-roof fibreglass body and a 750cc four cylinder Reliant automobile engine. There were no ridges to allow dirt to accumulate. It had two side stands and was designed to be easy to clean with sleek external panelling.
![quasar bike quasar bike](https://i.pinimg.com/736x/55/9a/46/559a464089d67256ac6da875ffd67545.jpg)
The Quasar allowed any maintenance to be carried out with the engine in the frame. There was even a facility to blow hot air at the rider’s hands.
![quasar bike quasar bike](https://946e583539399c301dc7-100ffa5b52865b8ec92e09e9de9f4d02.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/15166/2593837.jpg)
#Quasar bike driver
Its intimate driver space offered some small protection from the weather, and still allowed room to carry a passenger. Eventually Newell himself built several models at his own workshop, in Heddington.ĭesigned as a cabin motorcycle with a roof, the cockpit changed the usual position of the rider from straddling on top to sitting down inside. Production was taken up by Romarsh, in Calne, who manufactured a further handful of the bikes with the help of John Malfoy. Due to low funding they were only able to produce just six bikes between 19. Newell had previously ran a motorcycle shop named “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” where he had manufactured a trike, christened the “Revolution.” At the time money was not forthcoming with the banks and Newell was forced to close shop, being unable to expand his production.Īfter meeting Leaman though, they built the Quasar at Wilson Brothers in Bristol. They both originally met holidaying on a campsite in Scotland, and it was here that their combined efforts came up with the original design of the Quasar prototype. We’re going to be taking a look at the history and legacy of the quirky Quasar, described as a semi-enclosed, feet-forward bike.īuilt in England, the Quasar was developed by Malcolm Newell and Ken Leaman, and in December 1976 the very first bike was sold. Repente has further strengthened it by submitting it to a special process called Shot 304, which hardens the metal surface and makes it more resistant.Bizarre Bikes is a segment examining eccentric, unusual and unique motorbikes across the ages. The rail is made of Aisi Stainless Steel, a type of steel with highly advanced mechanical properties. The padding is in polyurethane, while water-based non-slip polyurethane microfiber has been chosen for the cover.
![quasar bike quasar bike](https://images.offerup.com/DjCZj1VhhmT2megOnhpMLQeYkCM=/600x1066/840b/840b9509f95b46deb7bc395eb8098d8d.jpg)
The shell is made of PA12 reinforced with long carbon fibres ( LCF technology), the same solution adopted by Repente to increase the strength of its Prime 2.0, Spyd 2.0 and Artax GL models. The "close fit" effect produced by this particular shape makes the seat comfortable without having to use thick layers of padding and allows users to immediately find their most effective riding position. The comfortably sized rear support surface has been modelled according to anatomical and ergonomic requirements - a typical feature of all Repente saddles. The saddle shape is characterised by a 142 mm "flat" design seat and central opening, integrated in a wide channel designed to relieve perineal pressure.