Can I make my Sinclair C5 work with cheap parts from the internet?

[@simonhodgetts6530]

RIP Sir Clive - let’s not forget that he not only brought us affordable computing, but he was also champion of some exquisite British product design too!

[@Carl_Thompson]

Would be a fitting memory to the genius of Sir Clive to bring this back to full working order . RIP Clive Sinclair

[@andrewgurney6019]

For giving me the ZX81 and Spectrum back in the back a big thank you Sir Clive, I hope you keep inventing wherever you end up.RIP

[@FixedByDuncan]

At least you gave it a go Matt, and you uploaded the footage instead of pretending everything is rosy. Life isn't all peaches and cream, that's why I enjoy watching you. 👍🏻 Was very sad to hear about Sir Clive, an amazing chap that was well ahead of his time.

[@stevehill4615]

Oh Matt, what a card you are, best bit of the video was when you raised the back end of the C5 for safety whilst testing the electrics ON A PETROL CAN what could possibly go wrong ----- LOL

[@petermac79]

Clive was ahead of his time!

[@movesky6696]

cost of c5 at time £399

[@neilchapman5145]

The oil companies made the U.K. government put massive restrictions on the c5 just like they did with the royal Enfield electric car

[@stevemayandleilaroehead870]

Great video, looking forward to seeing how it's going :)

[@dalehess6265]

😂🤣😅😁

[@linseyyoung1772]

Heh, loving the petrol can as axle stand! RIP Clive - we'll never see his like again.

[@CUSTODIAN70]

Trying is not failure.This time it didn't work out,but,maybe in the near future,some proper parts will show up.Great video,as always.

[@keithmatthews1673]

I would have thought that bench testing the electrical setup would be the way to do such a project but if you have to get out a video at short notice needs must!

[@furiousdriving]

It became topical

[@srowell3]

Hey. You need to think about gearing. The original motor and gearbox gets down to 13:1 and you're going to be nowhere near that just using two pulleys. The left side wheel should be connected to the plate behind it, the star washer on its own is not enough to keep it al together. If you take the right or front wheel out do not lose the bearings as they are unique to the c5.

[@6ettinold]

Your kit is essentially the same thing used on some ebike conversions, I've fitted several of these. Assuming you've installed ( or the kit included one in the loom ) an inline fuse holder, I hope you haven't performed the same daft error I have on a couple occasions and forgotten to pop a fuse in. The controller will have a low voltage cut out at around 29-30v, so with any luck, your battery just needs a charge. The throttle LED display is obviously wired into your controller, so that won't work either 'til the battery is charged. Here's hoping you've sussed it out already🤞

[@RichieRouge206]

Keep going with it fella, you will get there - definitely worth pursuing with this one! It’s so simple that you would definitely overcome the issues.

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

Still have a Sinclair Cambridge calculator somewhere.

[@furiousdriving]

A collectors item now

[@terryc8164]

Me too, still works perfectly, eats pp3s though :)

[@adamtoms2726]

To be honest this has still given you less trouble than Quentin, and you conquered that, so I do hope you get time and find a way to bring the C5 into life. Sir Clive was about 30 years too early. Now that battery tech has improved massively perhaps this would be a better answer than those E Scooters being tried in some cities in the UK right now.

[@Ribeirasacra]

The Dutch plate ZK-01-PF come from a Alfa Romeo 33 1.7 which was scrapped on the 13-9-2003.

[@Theaveragenerd2000]

If it's a 36V system and you have to 18V nominal batteries you'd need to wire them in series (you'd need to check that the BMS boards would be happy with that though!). You'd also have to find a new charger, unless you remove both batteries and charge them separately.

[@robenglish416]

I think Sinclair was a little bit before his time! With modern components the C5 would be quite interesting!

[@iantheinventor8151]

Been wondering if a midmount pedal assist motor might fit 🤔

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Rip Sir Clive, good to see the C5 back out again and I have faith in you getting this up and running.

[@seancooke7332]

Onwards and upwards my Friend. Looks very cool with the new stickers.

[@Parknest]

The late great Sir Clive was ahead of his time. I used to have a 48K ZX Spectrum back in the 1980s. I still have Spectrum +2A which I featured on my channel. These days I get my Speccy fix with an emulator.

[@doktoruzo]

oh Matt...had me laughing out loud. God loves a trier. Respect for having a go. I am sure you will figure a way to get it to work. Please don't give up. It makes for entertaining video.

[@leecooper8589]

I wonder if in his later years, Sir Clive Sinclair ever looked at modern electric bikes and the batteries, controllers and motors they use and thought the C5 was just TOO ahead of it's time. Neither the tech nor the market was ready in the mid 1980s

[@antibrevity]

Well, the X-1 was in perpetual development, so he was definitely still interested. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmKbnHxnnZh-r7M Search for Sinclair X-1 on the web and there are some articles.

[@kyle8952]

There was much better technology avaliable than he used. The problem was he was trying to make something out of bicycle bits, but didn't understand them, so spent an absolute fortune doing daft stuff like a plastic front wheel and matching brake pads for a cheap brake, when an ordinary aluminium wheel and some better brakes would have cost less money and worked better.

[@kins749]

Please please finish this project as a tribute to the great man

[@Luke-PlanesTrainsDogsnCars]

Good going Matt..you seem to be further along with this project than the Hyperloop will ever be. Probably similar engineering concepts too.

[@stephenwestley1017]

I can't wait to see it itl be a tribute to the great man.

[@maxidyne]

Hope you get it running in the future! Never give up. R.I.P. Sir Clive.

[@dylandajhharwood5566]

I'd make a box or X shaped bracket behind the rear axel for the motor and negate the pedals entirely all while using a smaller chain or swapping for a custom sized belt.

[@louisboshoff9142]

Don't give up yet Matt. You have spent too much time/money on it already and I am sure it can be sorted without spending much more. In South Africe we never had these, I would love to see it working!

[@sunderland97]

R.I.P SIR Clive genius at the end of the day way ahead of his time R.I.P GENIUS

[@henntendo]

RIP Mr Sinclair.

[@microcamping9025]

I would like to order a bafang mitteo motor, it starts from 68mm. I'm going to buy a Sinclair C5 in a week

[@deanwebb4809]

Have you seen the rover 216 cab / pick up on auto trader £950 looks cool

[@furiousdriving]

Yes, id want it as a full drop till pick up though

[@freddieparrydrums]

I am 14 and I’d love to buy one of these. They’ll go up in value definitely

[@dalehess6265]

Keep your eyes open on garbage day.

[@johngrubb1590]

I have no doubt you will get there Matt, just keep plodding on my friend. 👍

[@another3997]

You might be able to source a suitable rear axle from an old tricyle, something like a scrap Pashley. You may even be able to adapt the rear subframe of the trike to fit the motor in the C5. It will be stronger and more reliable than the old Sinclair setup. 😉

[@MrCrofty1993]

You should have gone with a front hub motor wheel it would save building brackets

[@frothe42]

Appropriate since Sir Clive's death this past week. I have faith in you that you will get this working!

[@35dononeill]

What if you found a metal tube, and cut a piece of it to length, would that work? Bicycle frame perhaps

[@eliotmansfield]

two things spring to mind - is the throttle compatible with the controller and have you disabled the brake lever input which is normally closed and it will think you have the brake on and not run the motor

[@furiousdriving]

Yes, they are sold as a kit, there was no mention of closing the brake loop with it, worth a try

[@benholroyd5221]

There's also the 'power lock' that was rejected because it doesn't have doors. I assume though that needs to connect to the key ignition. That would explain the screen not working.

[@nickmoore2301]

Alfa looking good in the background 👍😁

[@furiousdriving]

That never fails to look good!

[@another3997]

@@furiousdriving Yes, but it's an Alfa, so like the Sinclair C5, it will never be the most reliable... despite the millions of pounds spent on development! At least Sir Clive had the excuse his vehicle was done on a shoestring budget. 😉

[@srowell3]

Have you got any history of this C5? Fairly sure I have a matching one with the Hilliards service branding.

[@furiousdriving]

It was owned by Alfa dealer Hilliards but every one hated it! Was told it was a courtesy vehicle but an ex mechanic messaged to say it was the MDs toy but he only drove it once, then it was fixed to the roof!

[@srowell3]

@@furiousdriving nice. Still got it? Stories make everything better!

[@furiousdriving]

@@srowell3 yes, it’s in the barn!

[@srowell3]

@@furiousdriving still in that barn? :D

[@Uniongamers]

I think it's fair to say that the home computing scene in the UK wouldn't have been same without Sir Clive. We will remember you.

[@robertfoster6070]

Have you ever considered using a PEBL bike from the states? It is classified as an ebike and does not require a drivers license.

[@Boemel]

get a 12" hub motor, so easy. and u can even reverse. no welding, no faffing about just replace it with the front wheel and done.

[@andyarmstrong1493]

Well timed and enjoyable.

[@springy-2112]

Sad news about Sir Clive Sinclair .. I'm no chain n sprocket expert but I imagine the chain needs to be at least half wrapped around the drive gear or it will slip off ? Peace and love brother 👍🏻☮❤

[@furiousdriving]

if its pushed up into it, it should have enough pressure

[@springy-2112]

@@furiousdriving good stuff , great project 👍🏻☮❤

[@daniellee9015]

Brilliant video Matt 👍

[@repairupdaterepeat5815]

If you keep the pedals you can drive it on the road with no insurance etc because its classed as cycle. Ditch the peddles you're supposed to send it for an sva.... Rip sir Clive..... if you get the chance to want bbc's "micro men" its well worth a watch.

[@furiousdriving]

Good point, the pedals stay (no one specifies the chain being there do they?)

[@repairupdaterepeat5815]

@@furiousdriving officer dibble might. Be worth getting some big stickers to put on the controller and motor saying "250w" last thing you need is getting it crushed. There should be a connector that loops to restrict the power output in case you get pulled. If it was me, I'd direct drive the sucker and see if you can get a gear blank you can use as a spacer on that back wheel. The shorter the chain the less chance of it whipping off, busting through the 40 year old plastic seat and chopping one of your Jacobs off

[@furiousdriving]

@@repairupdaterepeat5815 Im also thinking a direct or short belt drive might be easier, but had ben planning a drag racing style safety sheet of metal under the seat!

[@repairupdaterepeat5815]

@@furiousdriving could look at v belts and pulleys for small lathes and drill presses? Cheap as chips and handle lots of torque. Lol last thing you need is having the nickname "womble" for the rest of your life

[@cookiepopps5673]

I remember these so well from my childhood and always wanted one I think the main prob was that we were not to informed about climate change then and we taught petrol was a never ending source of power I so badly want one now but prices are crazy

[@LOTPOR0402]

Rip Clive

[@problemchild1976]

Did you get it working?

[@AnyoneSeenMikeHunt]

Will still pass latest Euro emissions. Crash test maybe not so much...

[@skimmingstoness]

I had three of them, used to be able to pick them up for £50 I paid 30 for one. Great idea but terrible marketing. They were a death trap on a public road but if he'd marketed them for use as modes of transport on holiday parks, uni campuses and business parks he'd have sold loads more but he sold them for people to commute to the train station and they risked their lives every time they took it out.

[@stephencresswell4760]

Was that a reverse thread by any chance? Maybe use hand tools..........

[@alansimpson835]

At least the nice ornament has shiny new stickers

[@kevinnye5132]

Our loss is heaven’s gain and Sir Clive will be whizzing around for an eternity with no double decker buses or HGVs to scare the life out of him 😉. Who knew Matt 🤔 G clamps actually CLAMP 😮, don’t give up Matt on the C5 🙏🏻 at least until you’ve squandered all your money like Sir Clive did 😁👍🏻.

[@jasonk7072]

Perhaps you might find it easier to get all the electrical stuff working on the kitchen table before labelling it up and working out how to install it all?

[@furiousdriving]

the hardest part is making the motor actually fit somewhere

[@DashCamSerbia]

36V li-ion pack? That is 10 in series. So 18V is only 1.8V per cell, which is severely drained. They should not go bellow 2.8V or so. They can stil be charged probablly, but the question is will the charger start charging them at such low voltage, or will you need to do it manually (using an adjustable PSU).

[@furiousdriving]

Good point, I might need to borrow some more kit

[@Neil2022]

Was anything considered here or was it all on the hoof🤣

[@furiousdriving]

Carefully planned months in advance

[@OggyGTA]

My spidey senses are telling me... chain drive bad, direct drive good!

[@stevetaylor8698]

Did you used to work for British Leyland?

[@furiousdriving]

I applied but felt my quality control standards would slow the production line

[@mrcogginsgarage7062]

Matt, Number Five requires further Input by the looks of it ,good luck.

[@furiousdriving]

No disassemble!

[@h3lsing0]

Give Andy Kirby a shout, he'll put a phaserunner in it.

[@Rogerjones44194]

C5 !

[@PaulTC97]

Citroen

[@dalehess6265]

Some people call it a Sinclair C5 but I call it a tricycle.

[@user-xd9yo3le7o]

Knowing Matt, he'll get it going eventually.

[@huwdavies6650]

A fitting tribute to Sir Clive.

[@888johnmac]

spooky .. when i heard of Sir Clives death , i wondered about FD's C5 .. and here it is

[@robertlewis2]

Time to buy a small lathe to bore out the motor gear to size.

[@Turnbull50]

Great video sad news about Clive Sinclair.

[@skyll4141]

Don't give up

[@SiAnon]

Best place for all of it would be the local tip. Those things didn't sell well for a reason.

[@furiousdriving]

they were just ahead of their time

[@another3997]

I'm willing to bet that plenty of people would want this if Mr FD decided to give up, including me. They're rare nowadays. The reasons they didn't sell aren't just technological, people assumed it was automatically dangerous on the road. As the rider of an even lower, unfaired recumbent trike, I can vouch that drivers not only see me, but treat me with far more respect than when I'm on a bicycle.

[@BigEpinstriping]

Would be easier to swap a mid-drive motor into the chassis, In my opinion. RIP Sir Clive.

[@kyle8952]

No room for it.

[@johndilloway9762]

Put a nut on a back wheel and use your rechargeable wrench in your hand, then you can have reverse as well. :>)

[@Luke-PlanesTrainsDogsnCars]

Oh ..it has a light?..was this designed to work when it was dark?..lol

[@tz6414]

Without working pedals it probably becomes illegal to use on the road or pavement.

[@stuarthall2180]

Any reason you've recently been hiding the Mercs number plate ? Just being nosey 😯

[@rimmersbryggeri]

That wasnt the MacGyver theme Matt. :P

[@neilmustow368]

R.I.P Sir Clive Sinclair

[@robc5955]

Please oil the chain my ocd is tripping badly 🙄

[@furiousdriving]

I did say I have a new one

[@robc5955]

@@furiousdriving I know, just makes me itch.

[@marfster2914]

I really like your video's and I enjoy everyone of them. But you have to shut off the autofocus on your camera. It's always focused on the wrong section of the video.

[@furiousdriving]

theres supposed to be a big firmware update coming but all of the cameras struggled when no one is behind it controlling what it does, even Sony

[@marfster2914]

You are the first KZbinr how's answering to one of my comments. It's like talking to a celebrity. Greetings from Bavaria. 🙂🙂

[@tonys1636]

Sir Clive is probably looking down on you laughing his socks off at some eejit trying to get a C5 up and running again and attempting mods to it.

[@furiousdriving]

I hope he'd appreciate it! After all the Spectrums were hugely customisable through the expansion port

[@andrewgurney6019]

Please turn off the autofocus in the camera!

[@AndyDento21]

It's a left hand thread!!!! 🤣 noooooooooooo RIP Mr Sinclair

[@traleyton8057]

Brave Man - how not to approach a restoration.

[@paulb4uk]

Damn was hoping to see it move dodgy china electronics

[@mikeg8835]

You rush too much Matt , things end up getting lashed up

[@nigelrudd670]

Furious 😠 Clive rides again 🤓

[@terryatkinson899]

Lucky you, being able to play with your grinder and welder. I've just had a nasty neighbour shouting at me for making noise in my shed. It was a she or I would have invited him over for a CHAT👊. I'm not the only one who has had a run in with this creature who seems to have nothing better to do ( hasn't worked in years)

[@linseyyoung1772]

Keep grinding. Smile and yell back good naturedly that you can't make out what she's saying over the noise of your tools.

[@alancampbell1008]

There must be a forum where someone has modified/restored one of these. While it might be plagiarism why not just copy? I know it's maybe not in the spirit of the wild eyed experimental suck it and see approach but then at least it would work and you could modify it from there. Fair play for giving it a bash in your inimitable Heath Robinson style 😂

[@furiousdriving]

There are a some modded ones but all different, so bring on the Heath!

[@alancampbell1008]

@@furiousdriving just watched a genius who has fitted his with a hybrid gas turbine electric system...mad as a box of frogs!

[@brownbag1465]

it was made from cheap parts

[@terrortorn]

Just concentrate on getting the pedals to work first and then buy reasonable parts not direct from China.

[@furiousdriving]

it might lose the pedals entirely

[@terrortorn]

@@furiousdriving Raises handbag to eyelevel in shock and horror.

[@1worldgaming18]

a technological dead end that c5 , i mean just look at electric assisted bycycles today :)

[@grayfool]

Electronic? Yeah, me neither.

[@trabali5168]

sir clive sinclair would be......................not sure really?!!

[@paultaylor9652]

You are British, try try and try again, then give up and throw it in a skip. No only joking, hope you have better luck next time Mat.

[@FourDollaRacing]

My god, this is painful to watch! The welds are shite, the parts are incompatible, and a new motor would rattle the thing to pieces...

[@billybellend1155]

Have you thought about giving up your cars and becoming vegan?

[@sirog68]

Facepalm