This one's a rarity, the condition of the brochure is slightly poor but it warrants reproduction. I have never heard of a complete survivor though an engine used to be in the Stanford Hall museum. There is some useful information on the
NACC website.
The Economic seems fairly typical of a number of cyclemotors produced in the years immediately following the First World War. What sets it apart is the engine, a flat twin two stroke. The only other examples I can think of are the East German IFA and the Velocette Viceroy. There are a number of advantages to the design, it is inherently smooth, relatively simple, but production costs are significantly higher than a single and with little power advantage. With early two stroke technology the flat twin format probably made a lot more sense with the two cylinders better able to even out erratic firing from hit and miss carburation and oiled up plugs.
Although the flat twin two stroke is a more expensive unit than a single perhaps the Economic managed to be produced on the cheap by the use of ex US army surplus motors - the design originated from trench pumps and it is unclear whether or not Economic made their own motors or had merely bought in a batch of army surplus units. The trench pump was made by Johnson of marine outboard motors fame.
The Economic also seems to differ from competitors in that it was apparently only sold as a complete machine in ladies or gents options rather than as a clip on attachment.
A shame there don't seem to be any survivors. Seeing one running would be a great experience, that is if you are a nerd like me who likes early two stokes....
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| Economic Babyweight Motor Cycle Brochure page 1. |
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| Economic Babyweight Motor Cycle Brochure page 2. |
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| Economic Babyweight Motor Cycle Brochure page 3. |
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| Economic Babyweight Motor Cycle Brochure page 4. |
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| Economic Babyweight Motor Cycle Brochure page 5. |
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| Economic Babyweight Motor Cycle Brochure page 6. |
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