Wilson kept the rights to the machine, although Ken did all the work on it in his own time.Īlthough 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. 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.
QUASAR BIKE FREE
Contact us or call for a free quote today.Broadcaster Jane Omorogbe in a Quasar History Īfter 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. Or perhaps you own a weird and wonderful bike? Get a competitive bike insurance quote through Carole Nash in minutes. Societies like the feet forward motorcycle community help to preserve and improve the heritage left by Newell and Malfoy.ĭo you have any unusual motorbikes you’d like to see featured in our Bizarre Bikes segment? Let us know by commenting on our Inside Bikes Facebook page.
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. 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 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.
Bizarre Bikes is a segment examining eccentric, unusual and unique motorbikes across the ages.
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