Many of our readers will be able to identify with this charming homemade cycle car through their efforts to build their own coasters and go-karts when they were young. This machine, from all appearances looks as though it was built in the teens or the twenties, possibly by this boy, who we see dressed in his Sunday best for the photo.

This creation was powered by an F-head V-twin motorcycle engine from an unknown maker. Power transmission was by a belt to a pulley on a jackshaft mounted on the bottom middle of the frame, and then by chain to the rear axle. Just behind the engine can be seen most of the ignition system that consists of dry cell batteries powering a trembler coil for each cylinder, held in place by nails.

Rounding out this would-be racing car drivers speedster are: a cowl crafted of repurposed sheet metal attached with nails, a Havoline oil can fastened to the cowl with wire that served as a gas tank, and another can next to the engine serving as an oil tank.

To learn a bit more on the subject you can read an interesting 1930 article titled: Here’s How to Build That Cycle Car. You can also view more cycle cars here on The Old Motor. The photo is via Marc Tudeau and is courtesy of Carros Antigos.