Wiltshire-based Sportcycle Limited is introducing this new three-wheeler this month - the Solo. The single seater is being launched at Castle Combe circuit; fifty of them will be made this year, and deliveries should start before the end of the month.Essentially a road-legal motorbike joined with a half-length space-frame chassis, Solo is a single seater with an open cockpit. With a single driven wheel at the rear and two steering wheels up front, Solo weighs in at less than 400kgs, and can reach speeds of up to 180mph, and dash to 60mph in less than four seconds.
Solo's construction and ultimate performance depends on the bike chosen to donate its rearward chassis. The front forks and top yoke are removed from the donor bike along with the hand controls, fairing, single headlight and instruments. The bike is then connected to the Solo's A-frame rollover bar using its original headstock. Most of the rest of the donor bike's mechanicals are retained; a wider rear tyre is fitted for a larger contact patch and improved adhesion during acceleration and cornering.
The choice of donor bike is very much that of the customer but, with a 1100cc, 160bhp Honda Super Blackbird unit, the Solo is capable of up to 180mph. Prices for the Solo do not include that of the donor bike; Sportcycle anticipate a figure of around £11,700, and expect a suitable donor bike to cost between £3000 and £5000.
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