Back in July, we wrote a story on Harrison E-bikes from Finland. Then, as I began scrolling the internet over the next few months for other reasons…I began stumbling across more board-track racers. Some have been around for a long time, and some are fairly new. Most are low volume producers. There didn’t seem to be enough material to do a complete story on any one of them, so I thought I’d bundle them here together.
As a side-note, there were a few board-trackers mixed in with our 2012 article on “10 turn-key Cruiser E-bikes“
Board-track racing was very popular in the US between the first and second world wars (1918-1939, though it started earlier than that). After WW-one, the Ford Model-T was selling quite well to middle-class Americans, and ex WW-one pilots purchased cheap surplus “Jenny” airplanes so they could make a living by traveling the country selling rides and performing stunts. The sound of motors and the smell of oil was everywhere. Dashing young men who couldn’t afford a car might buy a Harley-Davidson or Indian motorcycle.
There’s an old saying: “The first car race happened…about ten minutes after the second car was purchased”, and motorcycles were no exception. At the time, using wooden boards to pave a race course was actually cheaper than paving it with asphalt, but the boards were also very dangerous. They frequently loosened during a race with one end lifting up, leading to terrible injuries. Here is a video of a boardtrack race film from 1921, TV had not yet been invented, so see how the crowds at these races are enormous!
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The Lampociclo (Flashy Cycle in Italian), from the Cicli Blume company (Cycle Blossom).
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This beautiful custom build is from David Farish, he calls it the C-271.
The C-271 from David Farish.
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Enorm Ebikes are from Austria. They use a simple, reliable, and very quiet rear direct-drive hub-motor (from Golden Motor),and the motor they use is capable of a fairly continuous 1,000W (1.3 horse power). The wide rims use a very fat 3-inch tire, and the roomy battery compartment can easily hold their largest optional 48V / 15-Ah lithium battery.
The frames are powder-coated (much tougher than common paint), and Enorm provides a very wide selection of models and colors to choose from. I encourage you to look at their website. They also have many models that have a more modern and artistic style, compared to the classic board-tracker shown here.
Enorm E-bikes from Austria. This model is the BoardTracker Black Classic.
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Tomrider Corso is from Germany. The motor shown is small and stealthy “mild assist” 250W geared unit that is mounted in the front wheel, and the rear wheel uses a Nexus-3 IGH for a clean and uncluttered chainline. The battery is a 36V / 11.6-Ah pack made from Panasonic 18650 cells, using the Li-NCM chemistry. They also have options that include a 1,500W BMC rear hub using 36V, and batteries as large as 18-Ah.
It is noteworthy that Tomrider Corso also makes leather accessories for E-bikes, like classic saddles, tool-bags, and saddle-bags. Here is their Facebook page.
Tomrider Corso. This model is (obviously) the Boardtracker White Swan. The battery box here that curves to match the rear tire is similar in shape to the dry-sump oil tanks of the Boardtrack racers of the 1920’s.
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Ace Electric Bicycles, this one in yellow, and they have several color choices. The front drum brake and the girder suspension are a nice touch.
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This uncluttered Boardtracker is from Oto Cycles, who is based in Barcelona, Spain.
Oto Cycles
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Here is the Marrs M-1. I almost didn’t include it because the handlebars aren’t quite right for a boardtracker, but I liked how they used a leaf-spring on the front suspension. Its the piece just above the front tire that is almost horizontal. It almost looks like a short fender, but it is a functional component, and not just decoration.
Marrs M-1
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Voltage Cycles makes this one. the wiring and controller are hidden well along with the batteries inside the “fuel tank”.
Voltage Cycles
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I never felt a tribute E-bike needs to copy the shape of a gasoline engine, but this style certainly has an appeal for some enthusiasts. This bold racer is from Caterham. It comes with a Panasonic 250W mid-drive motor and a 36V / 12-Ah lithium battery. It uses a Shimano 3-speed internally geared rear hub.
Caterham
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The Icon E-flyer. The motor is a Crystalyte HT and the battery is a 50V / 12.5-Ah
Icon E-Flyer
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Phoenix bike works has an optional electric drive, but their main line is retro-gasoline mopeds from the board-track era. Click on the link to see the electric version, but it is a simple rear direct-drive hub with the controller and battery in the fuel tank.
Phoenix Bike Works
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This design is the winner from a crowd-sourced competition by Local Motors in Las Vegas, Nevada. They also have a gasoline version to go along with their electric model.
From Local Motors
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This model is from Bavarian Electric Cycles. The front cargo rack can hold an entire case of refreshing German beer!
Here is their Facebook page.
Bavarian Electric Cycles
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If you want to find a board-track bicycle to add your own E-bike kit to, here is a beautiful example that anyone would be proud of owning. It is called the 1935 Ward Hawthorne Duralium. (edit: a similar bicycle can be found by Autum Minion, and also by Italjet)
The 1935 Ward Hawthorne Duralium.
Click on the link to see a close-up of the Art Deco tail-light.
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Derringer Cycles of Los Angeles, and also Sportsman Flyer in Gilroy California both make gasoline reproduction boardtrackers, you might be able to order one without the engine, so you can add your own E-kit…Boardtrackers almost always had pedals, but originally they were used as a starter for the engine. However, that also means that reproductions usually have working pedals.
Here is the “Sportsman Flyer” 200cc model.
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Written by Ron/Spinningmagnets, December 2013
