Sinclair C5 Depot - Ride & Restore

Finally a ride out in warm weather. Two C5s out this weekend riding down Felixstowe seafront. Lots of prep work to come to make them ready for the Ipswich to Felixstowe trip! #sinclairc5 #felixstowe #felixstowebeach #retro #classiccars #vintage https://www.instagram.com/p/CoU5fKPIx8Q/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Another pair of Sinclair C5 motors in for rebuild. Full marks all round for missing brushes, melted gearboxes, snapped cores and broken output gears. Now undergoing rebuild ready for 24V application. #sinclairc5 #repair #retro #classiccars #hoover #motor #sinclairvehicles #restoration https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn1qumwo89r/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

The first replica Hi Vis Mast for the Sinclair C5 is here. Accurate to the original and ready for fitting. This project was started several years ago but some recent refinement and finding a supplier to SLS print the mast top means we are good to go at an acceptable price. Get in touch to grab yours! #sinclairc5 #sinclairvehicles #retro #vintage #repro #classiccars #3dprinting #3dmodelling https://www.instagram.com/p/CnhEKRoIfu4/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Another happy customer picking up their C5 today. Bryan's C5 has received a full 24v conversion reaching 28mph during testing. It had a full motor service along with all the wheel bearings being checked and greased. A few missing and broken parts were replaced with originals. We even sourced a new old stock Schwalbe City Jet so he had matching tyres all round. Next job will need to be a brake upgrade! #sinclairc5 #restoration #classiccars #retro #vintage #classic #sinclairvehicles #livingtheelectricdream https://www.instagram.com/p/CnZ8rYSodwV/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Almost finished this 24V conversion but it simply wasn't fast enough. Swapped out the controller and then setup the acceleration and deceleration ramps finally achieving a top speed of 28mph on the flat. Now making some custom 3D printed parts to finish it off. #sinclairc5 #sinclairvehicles #retro #classiccars #ev https://www.instagram.com/p/CnH-uNJI4H5/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Great ride out last weekend. 5 of ours out and about with great comments from the public as ever. No they're not replicas! Some repairs and electrical gremlins to fix before our 13 mile trip in May. #sinclairc5 #sinclairvehicles #retro #80s #felixstowebeach #classiccars https://www.instagram.com/p/CnArC_ko4Z3/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

There's nothing quite like finding new old stock parts that have been sat at the back of garages and sheds for years. These are three brand new in the box headlights complete with original packaging. Too good to be used so they're shelf ornaments for now. #sinclairc5 #retro #hoover #rare #sinclairvehicles https://www.instagram.com/p/CmzhwqUIcIF/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Great C5 project sourced and off to it's new owner ready for restoration. Largely complete and good condition overall. The previous owner found it in a yard sale after an advert in the local paper. He got it working for a bit and let his kids ride it before it was parked up in the garage where it sat for 25 years. Fortunately didn't meet the fate of the second C5 it was stored with which was slowly striped for parts when the owner was low on funds. We have that one too and will complete it and get it on the road again. Two more saved! #sinclairc5 #sinclairvehicles #retro #restoration https://www.instagram.com/p/Cmo8MCvoeqy/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Happy Christmas all! Looks like someone woke up to everything they need to fix their C5 this morning! #sinclairc5 #rideandrestore #bikeparts https://www.instagram.com/p/Cml7B93IcX7/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Great day filming for UKTV. Two of our C5s out on Felixstowe promenade with two budding owners having their first ride out. Weather just about held off! #sinclairc5 #retro #rideandrestore #sinclairvehicles #felixstowe https://www.instagram.com/p/CmkOU6Jo9LG/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

The first 12v motor cooling kit has come out in the new filament and it looks fantastic. This fan kit has now been shipped for a C5 being restored and coming to your screens soon! #sinclairc5 #3dprinting #restoration #retro https://www.instagram.com/p/Cmgq5BNIoTh/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Late night print session to get these mirror brackets to a customer. These are the first printed in our new filament with carbon fibre additive. Strong with a silky finish completed with marine grade stainless hardware. #sinclairc5 #3dprinting #retro #makersgonnamake #makersmovement https://www.instagram.com/p/CmIIOofoa7j/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

The best way to start a busy weekend of C5ing! Hopefully some great things to come and maybe even a little ride out. https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck2_PNjIiJM/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

A few close up pics of the C5 recently rescued. Its covered in dust but its got all the parts and had a few upgrades at some point in its life. City Jet tyres, front brake calliper and the best bit, a Sturmey-Archer 3 speed hub. The serial sticker is present but badly rubbed so its difficult to read. #sinclairc5 #rideandrestore #restore #restoration #retro #barnfind #sinclairvehicles https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck1SSAHoqOQ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Another C5 rescued and now back in the workshop. This C5 had been sat for a long time and the owner had never got round to getting it up and running. A typical story. It's covered in plaster dust but should clean up well and all the parts are there. #sinclairc5 #restore #rideandrestore #retro #80s https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck0mjDTIffu/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

The chain tensioner is a weak point of our C5s with the gear from the factory never being that good. This C5 had been bodged with a bunch of mastic and cable ties. It's now been cleaned up and has the cable ties in the right places. One through the spring to stop it being lost if it ever fell off its mount. A second through the plastic piece on the arm to stop it taking off. Better than factory! #sinclairc5 #retro #restore #fixed https://www.instagram.com/p/Cks5lbzIr5A/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Hands-on with some recommissioning work this weekend. The front wheel of this c5 probably hadn't been serviced since the factory. The bearings and cups were full of grit with some dry grease. They've all been cleaned up and ready for reuse, especially important when none of these parts are unique to the C5 with no alternatives available. #sinclairc5 #restore #retro #bearings #righttorepair https://www.instagram.com/p/Ckqh-hpo43V/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=