Ten quids worth of welding later it was perfect. I changed the oil and it started, just like that. After tax, insurance and MOT, I was mobile for less than £100. For its size I found the C50 a real little gem. I had wanted a C90 but have found the smaller bike surprisingly adequate. A full tank of petrol costs 85p, it does over 100mpg and top speed is a little beyond 45mph.
Pulling away from the lights is only exciting in the sense that it’s quite easy to get run down by irritated car drivers. I have seen pizza delivery riders pulling wheelies on their bikes - one told me his bike exceeds 50mph. These step-thrus have only three gears; if they had five or six they would really fly. The one really bad point was the front brake. Perhaps it needs skimming or something but it had new shoes and was still a bit weak. The back brake is just fine, with feel and difficult to lock up.
When I first got the bike, it seemed like a big mistake, but it’s often meant the difference between being stuck at home or going out all day. It’s also useful for carrying car batteries, garden tools and a whole wardrobe of clothes. The C50 shows its charm on a hot day doing 45mph on a winding road, when car drivers have to manoeuvre carefully to overtake. It must be the cheapest bike I’ve ever run, even cheaper than some bicycles.
The oil in my C50 is a synthetic called Amsoil, related to oils used in aero jet engines. It causes engines and gearboxes to run cooler and quieter. It lasts 25000 miles too. In cars with a bypass filter it lasts over 100000 miles and stays as clean as the day you put it in. In shaft drives it helps eliminate transmission whine. As good as the bike’s been, I would not buy another, as the C90 has 12V, is faster and just as economical - the one to go for.
Technical Tip: if you have vibration check the rear swinging arm which must be dead tight, this cured the problem on mine as it’s also an engine mount.
Girlfriend Tip: if you feel the C50 doesn’t add to your sex appeal, give the bike to her after tying on a cuddly toy - she will be impressed.
Historical tip: humble as it is, the C50 is a masterpiece in design and concept, it has sold for decades by the million.
Andrew Gush