The Sinclair C5 was Sir Clive’s famous first venture into electric mobility, a recumbent electric-assisted tricycle which would have been hardly unusual in 2025. In 1985, though, the C5 was so far out there that it became a notorious failure. The C5 retains a huge following among enthusiasts, though, and among those is [JSON Alexander, who has bought one and restored it.
We’re treated to a teardown and frank examination of the vehicle’s strengths and weaknesses, during which we see the Sinclair brand unusually on a set of tyres, and the original motor, which is surprisingly more efficient than expected. Sir Clive may be gone, but this C5 will live again.
We’ve had the chance to road test a C5 in the past, and it’s fair to say that we can understand why such a low-down riding position was not a success back in the day. It’s unusual to see one in as original a condition as this one, it’s more usual to see a C5 that’s had a few upgrades.
Restoring it, good idea. Putting it on the road, not so much.
The Sinclair C5 seems basically a paddle assist trike, and I can see driving it on a paved bike path shouldn’t be much of an issue. A bike path where cars aren’t allowed is ideal. I’m aware separated traffic is not universal, but stating [JSON Alexander] can’t safely drive it safely anywhere is a stretch.
I just quickly browsed Marktplaats, and see these go for around €500 in the Netherlands. They are not as expensive as I expected. While not cheap, it’s in the same range as a very basic bike.
I’m also from the Netherlands. Quite a lot of years ago I was interested in a recumbent bike, but in the end I never bought one. There are plenty of places where you can drive such a bike safely, but city traffic is not among them. Because they are too low, you can’t look over cars to see the surrounding traffic, and you’re also too easily hidden behind (parked) cars for the rest of the traffic to see you. Because of this you sometimes see an orange flag on top of these things. And because of their limited use, you’d probably need another bike too. Still, I think a recumbant bike can be nice. For example if you home to work route is fit for it. For me 10 to 15 km is the perfect distance to cycle to work. It takes a bit over half an hour, keeps you in shape, and the cycling puts a mental distance between the work day and your private life.
how are you supposed to paddle without water? :)
It’s from England, plenty of water falling from the sky.
I rode a recumbent trike to work every day for years without incident despite spotty bike lane coverage.
Like all cycling, the fear surrounding recumbents doesn’t reflect the actual danger.
Amstrad bought Sinclair so we had one at Amstrad Towers as a magazine prize. The guys in R&D took it for a spin around a deserted level. SWIM spun it a bit fast around a support pillar and rolled it. That’s when we discovered the lead acid batteries had a tendency to leak when inverted, and the lucky winner got one slightly corroded on the inside…
Why????
Wait I know the answer.
I have no desire for a C5 but I’m experiencing workshop envy.
Hackerspaces are great for that. All the room for big projects, and most of the common tools you’ll need. As it’s a shared workspace, you can’t leave your Sinclair C5 on the table for long periods, but it should motivate you to finish the project before anyone is bothered by it. Depending on the space, a couple of days while the space isn’t too busy is usually fine.
Recently, Hackerspace Bitlair moved, and there are certainly people taking full advantage of the extra space we have now. Some are working on a wooden go-kart/soapbox, and another works on overhauling a mobility scooter.
Yay! I tried one of these back in the day. Lovely idea, but the fundamental concept failed to account for cars…
Still waiting for my hoverboard, flying car, and monorail…
And weather.
When it starts to rain, you’re sitting in a slowly filling plastic tub and you’ll get soggy bottom from the water collecting in the seat.
You want a roof? You need to upgrade to the AMAZING AUTOMITE!
If I remember correctly, the C5 did come with a tarp you can stretch out over the hole and stick your head out through a hole in the tarp – might have been an accessory. You’d need some sort of a cover anyways to park it outside, because it will get rained on.
Oh, no not al all. Sinclair thought of everything. There is a hole in the seat (just as any decent plastic garden chair has). And there are holes in the bottom.
But seriously, you do not want to get caught in the rain with this thing, it’s 40 years old, only drive it on days with dry weather, avoid holes/puddles and you’ll be fine. It’s a classic.
I had one for years and would happily take it to town and so light shopping. Get wet? I’m not made of sugar, you get just as wet on a bike.
Instead of fitting the daft orange flag on the back, I fitted a pair (back-to-back) of solar panels on posts.
Other road users had no problem spotting me as they were all staring at me!
Quite a few guys modded these to have disc brakes, modern motors etc and, without too much hassle, 25mph.
Fun fact: the land speed record for electric vehicles was once held by the C5
Fun Fact,
Even if it had reached the claimed topspeed of 150mph it would have come in woefully short of the 257 mph record set the previous october by Ohio State University’s buckeye bullet.
However, The record that was to be attempted was not the worlds fastest electric vehicle but rather the worlds fastest three wheel vehicle.
Despite having been documented at over 120mph on the Rover test track. Regulations deemed it unsafe for official Guinness testing and no official record was ever awarded.
edit: Should have read “However, The record that was to be attempted was not the worlds fastest electric vehicle but rather the worlds fastest three wheel ELECTRIC vehicle.”
I have neverheard that it wasnt recognised or that it was unsafe. How do you know this bit? Ive never come across it in my research.
I know this due to a personal relationship but to avoid meaningless anecdote….
From Lynch motors website (the manufacturer of the motors used in the attempt):”We were very proud when Adam Harper used our Lynch electric motors to power the Sinclair C5 ‘Alien’ over 20 years ago, to showcase what our electric motor can achieve. The C5, owned by Luton businessman Paul Andrews, was adapted to reach 150 miles per hour and planned to make it into the Guinness World Records for the fastest electric vehicle. Though the attempt was thwarted by regulations, there is a video out there somewhere of this 80’s icon of an electric road vehicle, reaching over 120 miles an hour on a Rover test track. ”
You can be sure if it had been a recognized world record holder Lynch motors, of all involved, would be bragging about that fact.
On a bike, you’re not sitting in a slowly filling tub of water that soaks through the bottom of your pants as the rain water ends up on the seat cushions.
Oh no not the seat cushions!
If only there were some material one could cover foam with that would prevent water from soaking in. You know, like the vinyl used on motorcycle seats.
Its also really too bad that there is no way to prevent a tub shaped water from filling up, like some sort of opening that would allow water to drain out.
It must be really hard to feel so smart, to feel like you have all the answers in the world to every subject, but be so lacking in common sense and basic logic that youre incapable of solving the most basic issues that arise. Its no wonder silly Clive’s Sinclair failed.
What happens when you’re sitting on the hole in the seat, and the rain comes down?
A saddle sheds water, a seat collects it. No matter if the seat cushions are covered in vinyl, your butt isn’t (unless you’re that kind of a person).
Dudes never been in a boat.
The cushions sit on a seat base. The seat base is designed with a slope towards the back where drain holes are located. Also if you butt is in the seat, the water lands in your lap. Most of the water will run off the sides (unless you;re that kind of person).
Seriously dude, if you cant figure out a basic solution to a basic problem then maybe you shouldnt weigh in on every post and on every topic. Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt
A great project and these make more sense today than they did at the time. Perfectly usable and still road legal. I restore these and make upgraded parts. Just last weekend we had a record 47 C5s complete a 13 mile from Ipswich to Felixstowe.