Quasar (motorcycle)
| Quasar | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer |
|
| Production | 1975-1982 |
| Assembly | United Kingdom |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Motorcycle |
| Body style | Roofed Feet forward motorcycle |
| Layout | FF |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | Reliant 4 cylinder, water cooled, 850 cc |
| Transmission | Reliant 4 speed (reverse removed) |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 77 in (1.95 m) |
| Length | 110 in (2.8 m) |
| Width | 28 in (0.71m) |
| Height | 54 in (1.37m) |
| Kerb weight | 704 lb (320 kg) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Malcolm Newell's Phasars; Royce Creasey's Voyagers |
The Quasar is a semi-enclosed feet forward motorcycle, created by Malcolm Newell and Ken Leaman, who made a number of similar vehicles. It repurposed an 850 cc four-cylinder inline engine used in the Reliant Robin three-wheeled light car and is capable of cruising at 90–100 mph (145–160 km/h) and exceeding 100 mph in favourable conditions.
In the Quasar, the rider sits feet forward or feet first, changing the usual position of the rider from on top and straddling the vehicle, to inside and sitting down. Unlike most motorcycles, the Quasar is a cabin motorcycle with a roof which goes over the rider. While normally not a problem, tall riders with larger, more modern helmets may have trouble fitting inside although it is also possible to carry a passenger with an intimate squeeze. In the front of the bike the laminated glass windscreen had car-style windscreen wipers and a heater. The use of a semi-enclosed 'cockpit' caused blind spots where the driver had to move his head around to make sure visibility was not obscured by the screen supports in corners. There is 60 litres (2.1 cu ft) of storage space behind the rider and wrap-around panniers were available as a factory option. Ingeniously, they are no wider than the narrow mirrors.
In 1968, after his previous idea for a trike named the "Revolution" failed, forcing him to close his motorcycle shop called "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" in Devizes, Wiltshire, Malcolm Newell met Ken Leaman while on holiday in Scotland, and the two combined forces to design and build the first Quasar prototype. The first production Quasar was sold in December 1976, having been built by Ken and Malcolm at Wilson Brothers of Bristol, where Ken was employed full-time. Wilson kept the rights to the machine, although Ken did all the work on it in his own time.
Although they had launched a publicity campaign to gain interest in the bike, even after they began to receive enquiries Wilson Brothers did not provide enough funds for production to meet demand. Between December 1976 and October 1979, they only produced a total of six vehicles. In 1980, John Malfoy, who had originally designed the Quasar's unique fluorescent rear light, persuaded his employers, Romarsh, of Calne, to manufacture five Quasars under licence from Wilson Brothers. All five vehicles were sold by December 1981, and a further batch of ten was prepared starting in August.
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Wikipedia