January's Vintage Motorcycle (VMMC) Magazine features a piece on a Mr. John Harding, a builder of multiple 'Specials'. one of which is actually an FF, a basic cut'n shut of an RD400. Bodyless and similar to the several simple cut'n shuts built in the late seventies - John Bruce's BSA being probably the best known. Mr. Hardings example is chiefly notable for the extreme increase in wheelbase and he unsurprisingly complains about low speed handling. More interesting is that it was built in the nineties, after "Wide discussion" in the motorcycle press.

I'm very happy to put up this piece by the world's leading FF race expert. It's a bonanza for social media trolls everywhere, enough material to keep them off the streets forever. For those on the street, race or otherwise, Rob offers some really interesting innovations in dynamics, extending the FF performance envelope. Think before you troll. This guy has actually raced this stuff. Great thing racing. Put up or Shut up.
Nice one Rob. A happy holiday and a better new year;- https://rohorn.blogspot.com/2020/12/but-why.html

EMN again - (at least it's current news not history) Scroll down this link to see them almost do an FF electric Cargo Scooter! They got the electric, the seatback, the cargo box... So near! So uninspired.

https://electricmotorcycles.news/the-b4-from-blacksmith-electric-has-been-designed-to-meet-the-needs-of-both-individuals-and-professionals/

Electric Motorcyckle News (EMN) run a piece by Beligian designer Eric Viomens extolling trhe virtues of Feet First two wheelers, expressly in relation to Electric power. There's visulisations, vapourware and a photo of steel, being welded. Norman Hossack will be proud to see his front suspension system displayed. It's all the usal FF stuff but good to see a new take on the subject and excellent to see it in a non-FF publication. Good luck Eric! I'll buy him a beer(If they'll let him in and there are any pubs left and he'll probably have to bring the beer...).

In my probably pointless pursuit of an electric powered replacement for my ancient Voyager, I've established some cost estimates for an electric powertrain roughly equivelent to BMW's C-Evo (long range version) - comfortably enough to produce Voyager-levels of performance, if not range. These are from local E-bicycle* enthusiasts and battery specialists.

Anyone contemplating designing, building or buying anything like one of these Monoracers should watch (several times) this video. So much detail. We could have done with camera work like this thirty ears ago!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJ9jLYA0830&list=PLVvzYlefm5vagxLGyWBrE_-AZBXkvvYKy&index=4

Caution. May be a bit modern for this site.

Here's quite a lengthy video from Peraves, all in-cockpit, shot on the road and Brno circuit, a lot in wet conditions. Answers a lot of questions. It's not a racer but it plays well on the autobahn. Very interesting watching the screen clearing rain at different speeds. For many reasons.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVvzYlefm5vagxLGyWBrE_-AZBXkvvYKy

You may have noticed, in the Guradian Newspaper (27th. July), a plan to electrify the left-hand lanes of motorways, by overhead cables, for use by suitably modified trucks.

Brillient idea, which I detailed in correspondance with my MP, the D.o.T. and the Road Haulage Association, starting in October 2000. Obviously tyhe D.o.T. rubbished the idea (Lord Whitty) and the RHA didn't bother to reply, but that's not the point.

Now we know exactly how long it takes for an idea to soak through British Industrial and academic society

Here's a very recent video of the E-Monoracer driving about a town and motorway. Good quality film, the Monoracer is almost silent.

https://youtu.be/M-I3A4EWDQE This really should be up in "Films" with all the other FF videos

It comes with an announcement that I think is about a demo's at Brno in June/July, some of which have already happened. I'll come back with more info once Ingrid has read it.

Another interesting entry in Electric Motorcycle News;-
https://electricmotorcycles.news/silence-launches-its-new-s02-ls-electric-scooter-in-europe/

The most overt electric "Cargo-Scooter" offering yet. If this continues it seems inevitable to me that FFs will be re-invented by electric scooter manufacturers. None of whome will have heard of Bikeweb, Peraves, Lightning, or indeed the term "FF"

Lightning Motorcycles said they'd do an enclosed E-FF this summer - and here it is. You can easily contact Lightning Motorcycles and congratulate them...

No details yet, just a short clip of it passing, sounding electyric an all. Not an unreasonable shape

https://youtu.be/4Sm9znxelrU

Here's a video, shot from another vehicle, of a Monoracer doing a gentle lap of the Brno circuit in the hands of it's new, wheelshair-bound, owner

https://vimeo.com/155405950

I've got a nice brochure from Peraves CZ, 2mb as a PDF. Pictures, details, vehicle data. All I have to do is figure out how to upload it here. Think I'll have to talk to Julian...

Of course you can get a brochure too, or even arrange a test drive once travel restrictions end, here's the address;-

PERAVES CZ a.s.
Cabin -
Motorcycles
= POWER-EGGS
Zebetinek 90/5
CZ-621 00 Brno-Medlanky
Fon +420 602 555 013
gprochazka@peravescz.com
www.peravescz.com

I have no connection with Peraves, although if the Premium Bond I've had since I was 21 comes up big, I'll be a customer...

Arnold confirms in a mail that his MonoRacer130kW-BEV is in production with first delivery on the 1st. May, Today. He's implying that the first ten have been ordered for subesquent delivery. I'm hoping to get a copy of the brochure, with pictures, shortly.

A phone call with Kawasaki UK reveales that the Endevour E-bike is just a prototype and there are currently no plans to introduce an E-bike from this manufacturer. They report their customer base is still committed to the petrol driven experience, all 3.5% of them. I'm sure there's a message to be had from this peice of news, in conjunction with the picture of Arnold's E-racer, but I'm not sure what it is...

Just had a massive mail from Arnold Wagner, all in German, including documents and some quite lovely pictures of the current E-racer. It may be had news, starts with "Ein Grosse problem...." I'm hoping for a synopsis from Ingrid, anyone else on the mailing list should keep an eye open. Much too big to post here, I'll see if I can extract a picture.

If I was rich I'd buy an E-racer... As I'm not I'll get on with changing the pads on this old Voyager.

This link shows various corporate video's of Kawa's E-bike, basicallky just an electric motorised bicycle but another powertrain option. May not be as tightly integrated as the C-EVO (BMW). A full power option from a major manufactuerer. Seems modular, Looking forward to better picturess.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=kawasaki+endevour&qpvt=kawasaki+endevour&FORM=VDRE

Richard Hatfield of Lightning Motorcycles has stated, (on the FF facebook page) that his company is working on an enclosed, two seat electric FF. They're very excited about it apparantly. Maybe someone more literate can put the actual page up here - Ctrl C & V doesn't do it. No specifics or dates, but it's easy to send a message to Lightning Motorcycles to encourage them... Lets hope they've done their homework

This relates to the recent posts on altering the light patterns on FFs to make twin headlight patterns easier to identify and range, (eg. "Twin headlights on FFs"). The excellent site https://www.carbuilder.com/uk/, source of everything needed to fit out a motor vehicle, has a range of LED lights and https://www.carbuilder.com/uk/daytime-running-lights looks promising - cheap, easy to fit. (Describe it as "auxilliary lighting" rather than "daytime running lights" to run it with headlights on)

I have a location on FJ in mind, I'll try and post a picture unless someone else does it first.

I've been looking into the regulations invoved in registering a prototype electric two wheeler. Specifically "Motorcycle single vehicle approval" which covers FFs.

It's chaos.