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What’s new?

More from the Boot & Back Even more pictures from this speed-judging ride

Sizewell Jumble Some pictures from Mark Gibb

East Coast Pedalers A ride remembering Roly Scarce & Guy Bolton

Director’s cut Expanded articles from the latest magazine.


Introduction

Iceni CAM Magazine

This is the home of the Iceni CAM Magazine—a free e-magazine about Cyclemotors, Autocycles, Mopeds … and more.  It was launched on 15th April 2007 and the most recent ten issues can be downloaded hereAll the articles from all the previous magazines are on this website.  For non-computerised folks, printed copies are available at £1.50 per edition; we can accommodate mail order too at £2.40 for single edition or £9.60 for a year’s subscription.

So what’s it about?

It’s an e-magazine all about cyclemotors, autocycles and mopeds that carries road test & feature articles, rally reports, free adverts and other assorted information.  Although we are an independent production, we have strong ties to the EACC and also to the New Zealand Cyclaid Register.

We are based in East Anglia, but are by no means limited to that area.  Much that appears in the magazine is of universal appeal.  We welcome contributions, whereever they are from, and are also happy to help to publicise any events for cyclemotors, autocycles and mopeds.

When’s it published?

We publish four times a year at the beginning of January, April, July, and October.  Iceni CAM is purely an enthusiast production, and all produced on a tiny budget.  The free downloadable version will be posted on this website on the same day as the printed version goes on sale.

All the issues of CAM Magazine that we’ve produced have been very well received.  Thank you all for your comments; they are much appreciated.  Several of you have also made donations, which has helped enormously in keeping Iceni CAM going.

What’s in it?

The January 2024 edition is available now on our Downloads Page.

Main feature: Basket Case

Our ABB Ciclo trasporto con Mosquito 49cc came to us for a feature following its display on the EACC stand at Copdock Show on 3rd September 2023.  We didn’t get straight onto the case because there were other pressing issues we had to deal with first, and there was no pressure for a quick return to its owner, who was in process of moving to a new industrial unit.  The bike is a most unusual Italian ‘oddity’, so obviously another example of ‘Tim Adams strikes again’.

Beginning the research soon revealed there was very little information available, although we rather expected that anyway because we’d never seen or heard of an ABB before, and we very much doubted that anyone else would have either.  So, after all our intensive research efforts, everything we did find is probably pretty much everything there is to be found.  Subsequently, the collating and dating of every item we had discovered enabled us to come to more conclusions than any of the individual information sources had been able to conclude on their own.

Data collation and analysis is crucial in these cases.

Trawling the internet for ABB sales records found a few scraps of Ducati Cucciolo and 307 Mosquito models from which we managed to secure engine numbers to confirm datings; this allowed us to build up the sequence of events where ABB switched from mainstream domestic commuter models to specialised trade carriers.  Picture processing tricks enabled us to convert images to appear like typically period prints for the contemporary look—but can you spot our conversions from other originals?  However, we were still unable to identify quite when ABB started and ended. Maybe someone might come up with further information someday?

Due to the almost complete lack of information about this obscure manufacturer, the article had to mainly concentrate on the bike, which also required a degree of sorting out for the road test.  All seemed to be going so well until the motor nipped up on our first proper test run and, even though it readily freed off again and ran just the same, it wasn’t worth repeating the obvious problem.  One consolation was that ABB’s 38-B motor still managed to clock 24mph, and certainly with more to go before it heat seized, but still exceeded the 23mph best of the last 38-B tested back in 2019, which we never felt was a capable performer at the time.  The ABB motor obviously had more to give, but we were denied.  Maybe we’ll get another 38-B some day…

Working trade carriers are rare and fascinating machines. We’ve worked over the years to present a number of these ‘commercial’ carrier features, and they’re characterised by being always interesting, though always very difficult, because any examples are so rare and obscure.

First Support feature: The Wall

This was a fairly recently generated article as a result of John Daborn, Suffolk Section EACC checking the Flandria 047AF-A into the workshops, primarily for ‘clutch issues’, but worn out piston rings and rumbling bearings in the engine bottom-end meant a full motor strip was required, plus replacement main seals to sort it all out.

Once reassembly of the motor was completed, the check run took care of the road test as a matter of course, then take notes, and a quick photo-shoot completed in July 2023, so another bike in the can for some future day—which, as it turned out, was just six months later.

The last Flandria we covered was a 147AF-A model back in October 2003 (for another publication), and long before we even started IceniCAM in March 2007, so it was about time that we covered another Flandria model.

The IceniCAM website has transformed the comprehensive way that we can produce articles now, and progressed dramatically compared to the way we produced articles 20 years ago for a small and space restricted, printed magazine, so, referring back on the 147 article, we were looking to expand on the previous production.

Recalling some distant conversations with our Dutch colleague, Ben Teuben, there was a dim memory of him telling a curious though unlikely sounding story about a Flandria family feud, and dividing their factory in half by building a wall down the middle.  Out of interest we had to look into this old legend for the sake of our new article, and intensive research confirmed that this was actually a factual account, after which it absolutely had to become the title of the article.

We do wonder if the Steptoe & Son episode ‘Divided We Stand’ might have been based upon the Flandria ‘wall’ story?

Comparing the road test aspects of the older article on the 147AF-A from 2003 with the new test 047AF-A of 20 years later, we were satisfied that the results proved remarkably similar.

Second Support feature: In The Post

This was another nearly forgotten article from the mothballed archives and, when pulling up the photo shoot file, we found it was dated 15 March 2017, so we really ought to be getting this out in one form or another.


A Post Office RM8 in 1970

Production mainly got delayed because we were originally intending to couple the presentation with one of the Puch MS50 two-speed Post Office models, but never got round to testing that bike (maybe another day).

When digging out the road test notes and drafting the text file got underway, it was quickly appreciated that there was going to be more than enough material to complete a full article on the RM8 alone.

Starting from the invention of the telegraph system in 1830, the text sewed the article together using the telegram service as a thread running right through to 2003, and covering a span of 173 years.

Research for this production led to some unexpected spin-off discoveries.  Initially figuring out our red RM8 was a Post Office moped was a surprise in itself at the time, then assembling the model chronology, and further noting the registration date was well after the RM8 posted discontinuance date seemed somewhat odd?  Frame serial cross-referencing subsequently led to confirmation that the PO versions were indeed special batches built after the RM8 had been officially de-listed.  There were ‘special features’ on the PO frame too, which must have been specified in their build, with a reinforced steering headstock and sprung pedal chain tensioner.

A further thought to try and figure out how many RM8’s the Post Office might have purchased initiated our frame number analysis.  The new Raleigh frame numeration series suggested two batch sizes, the first of 500, then a later lot of 250, and confirmed that all were specially built for the PO after the RM8’s official discontinuance notification as September 1969!

Since we were looking at frame numbers, we got involved in Raleigh’s ‘new’ 6-digit frame serialisation system, which replaced the previous ‘model number + R + serial number’ method (eg: 5R12345).  The new 6-digit series would have been ‘officially notified’ at introduction of the Wisp on 14 April 1967.  The first new Wisp serial number indicated by Glass’s was 002536, however RM6 ‘Pop’ serials seemed to have actually been the first using the six-digit number system (presumably starting at 002000 or 002001), with our lowest recorded example at 002052.

We’ve produced some articles on ‘services’ bikes before, with an RAF James J11 Comet, and Police Norman Nippy Mk4, so now our PO Raleigh RM8 joins the family.

What’s Next?

The next magazine is scheduled for publication at the beginning of April 2024.

Next Main Feature: We try a top-of-the-range sports moped in original continental specification.  This is ‘The Flagship’ … but will the performance stand up to its promotional billing?

Next Support: Our next article has been ‘maturing like a fine wine’ in the road test archives since 2017, and we figure it should be just about ripe for publication around about now.  The first of these models appeared in 1953, and continued through various evolutions until the last versions were finished in October 1964, not because they wanted to stop building them, but because they ran out of engines after Villiers discontinued making the motors.

This isn’t the first model, but it’s also not the last.  So it’s a ‘Muddled Model in the Middle’—but there were a great many … so which one?)

Next Second Support: Looking back a bit, we produced a couple of articles called Fifty Quid (Jan 2016), and Fifty Quid-2 (Sept 2016), which presented features on a total of eight ‘bargain’ vehicles which were all bought for under £50, but we’ve not produced any more under this theme since.

Why is this?  Has it become impossible to buy anything for under £50 due to moped price increases?  Have such bargains just dried up?  Just to disprove these theories, we bring you ‘Freebies’ … yes, they really came for free, but they might cost more to fix up than they’re going to be worth…

What else?

Well, there’s this Website … we’ve put a lot of useful information here, and we’re alwas adding to it.  We have a directory of useful people to know.  Information on local events and, after each run, we put photos of the event on this website.  There’s also a market place where you can buy and sell mopeds, autocycles, cyclemotors and other related items

Director’s Cut logo

As each edition of the magazine is published, we add to our collection of articles.  From Edition 3 of the magazine, we introduced another evolution.  Previously, features in the articles section had reflected what appeared in the magazine, but you may now discover a bit of extra content has crept into some items as they’ve transferred to the website—you might call it ‘The Directors Cut’.  The problem with printed magazines is editing everything to fit page sizes and space, and there can sometimes be bits you’d like to include, but they have to be left out to fit the available space.  The web articles don’t need to be constrained by the same limitations so, although the text will remain the same, the ‘Directors Cut’ graphic in the header indicates the item carries extra pictures and bits that didn’t make it to the magazine.

We also have an Information Service—if you want to know more about your moped, we can help.

What we do

Iceni CAM Magazine is committed to celebrating all that’s good about the Cyclemotor, Moped and Autocycle scene; researching toward the advancement of the pool of knowledge about cyclemotors, autocycles, old mopeds, and other oddities; and the publication of original material.  We are a declared non-profit making production, though we still need to fund everything somehow to keep the show on the road.

The magazine is free on line, and the nominal price of supplying hard copies to non-computerised folks is pitched only to cover printing and postage.  All advertising is free since we believe that the few people left out there providing parts & service for these obsolete machines do so as a hobby and an interest.  This involves far more effort than reward, and they should be appreciated for the assistance they provide.  Our Information Service is there to help anyone needing manuals to help with restoration of a machine.  We make a small charge for this but, again, we have set our prices so the just cover postage and material costs.  However, we are trying to make this free too!  We are setting up an on-line library where you can download manuals at no charge.

Overheads involve operation of the website, and particularly the generation of features.  Articles like Last Flight of the Eagle can cost as little as £20 to complete, while others have cost up to £150 to generate, eg: Top Cat on the Leopard Bobby.  With these overheads, you may be wondering how we get the money to keep it all going.  So do we!  But, somehow, it works, helped by a number of generous people who have sponsored articles or made donations to keep the show on the road.

How long does it take to research, produce, and get these feature articles to press?  Well, up to two years of preparatory research in some cases, where little is known about the machine or its makers, and where nothing has been published before.  Then, collating all the information and interviews, drafting and re-drafting the text, travel and photoshoots typically account for up to 40 to 50 hours to deliver the package to editing.

There are many examples where these articles have become the definitive reference material for previously unpublished machines like Mercury Mercette & Hermes, Leopard Bobby, Ostler Mini-Auto, Dunkley Whippet & Popular, Stella Minibike, Ambassador Moped, Elswick Hopper Lynx, and many others.

We’re committed to continuing to produce these articles, because we believe it needs to be done, and we’ve got a proven track record for achieving it.  Nobody else has done it in 50 odd years, so if we don’t do it—who will?

To whet your appetite for what’s ahead, here’s an updated list of machines with developing articles for future features: Ariel Pixie, Beretta–Mosquito, Capriolo 75 Turismo Veloce, Cyc-Auto (Wallington Butt), Cyc-Auto (Villiers), Dot ViVi, Dunkley S65, Dunkley Whippet Super Sports, Elswick–Hopper VAP MIRA test prototype, Gilera RS50, Hercules Her-cu-motor, Honda Gyro Canopy, Honda Model A, Honda CD50, Honda SS50, James Comet 1F, MV Agusta Liberty, Norman Nippy Mark 2, Norman Nippy Mark 3, NVT Ranger, Powell Joybike, Rabeneick Binetta, Raleigh Ireland ‘Super’, Simson SR2E, Solifer Speed, Sun Autocycle, Sun Motorette, Vincent Firefly, Yamaha FS1-E.

The working list changes all the time as articles are completed and published, and further new machines become added—so as you see, there’s certainly no shortage of material.

Readers have probably noticed a number of the articles collecting sponsorship credits, and we’re very grateful for the donations people have made toward IceniCAM, which certainly assures we’re going forward into another year.  We don’t need a lot of money since IceniCAM is a declared non-profit making organisation, and operates on a shoestring (and we’d like to keep it that way)—run by enthusiasts, for enthusiasts.

It’s easy to sponsor an article by either picking a machine from the forward list, and we’ll attach your credit to it, or simply making a donation.  There is no fixed amount, it’s entirely up to you, and however large or small, we’re grateful for any contribution to keep the show on the road.

If a vehicle you’re interested in seeing an article about isn’t in the list, then let us know and we’ll see about trying to add it in the programme, but we do need access to examples—perhaps you have a machine you’d like to offer for a feature?

See the Contact Page for how to: Sponsor an articleEnter a free advertSubmit an article yourselfWrite a letter to usPropose a machine for featureOffer your machine for test feature

News

Archive Photos

January 2023

At the Mince Pie Run, Gareath Evans presented us with a quantity of his late father’s photographs.  By coincidence, Mark Gibb has also been going through some of his old pictures.  Consequently we have been able to post pages of pictures of several part events—many of these pictures have not been published before.  Along with David Evans’s and Mark Gibb’s photos, we have added a few of our own.  The events covered so far are:

Sars Poteries, June 1997

10th East Anglian Run, May 1991

NACC 10th Anniversary Rally, June 1991

Rando Cyclos at Sars Poteries, May 2003

NACC Coast to Coast Ride, June 2004

11th East Anglian Run, May 1992

12th East Anglian Run, May 1993

1st Breckland Forest Run, July 1991

Sandringham Run, September 1995

2nd Norfolk East Coast Run, September 1990

Nedging Fête

July 2022

Dear Andrew,
Please can you thank everyone that came to our Vintage Fête at Nedging Hall on 26th June 2022.  We made an amazing amount, £6041.72, and we have got some more to come.  Once again thank you for helping us to raise so much.

Yours sincerely,
P Gooderham

Lanzarote

January 2022

Derbi moped in Lanzarote Derbi moped in Lanzarote
Moped in Lanzarote

Just spotted these mopeds in Lanzarote.  50 euros for the pair if anyone’s interested!
From Dunc and Margaret


Older news stories are available in our News Archive