Holder Micro Cycle

#1
HOLDER MICRO CYCLE
Smaller than a mini-bike, a lot of quality in a little package

It seems strange, looking at the Holder Micro Cycle, to recall that only a few years ago, most mini-bikes were only a little bigger. Today this little machine appears... well, rather like a toy. Maybe that's all mini-bikes were "in the old days", just toys. We've certainly come a long way since then.

If the Micro-Cycle is a toy, it is a well built little devil and incorporates some unusual and interesting features, it uses the Q&R Series 20A engine (most people will know this engine manufacturer by the Olsen and Rice name but only the initials are used nowadays). This is a real honey of a little industrial two-stroke with a miniscule capacity of less than 33cc. Out of the tiny capacity comes 1.6 hp and an equal respectable amount of torque.

Of course, this is much too skimpy in the power department to be of much use in general mini-biking but it's just about right for the Micro-Cycle. A couple of the really nice things about this engine is the easy starting (using a pull rope) and its spunky sound once it is whirling around. We had the Micro-Cycle out on test with a 100cc Hodaka engine and the Q&R sounded and looked like the younger brother to the motorcycle engine. If the Micro-Cycle was to be used around the backyard, your neighbors might appreciate a little more muffling (which the manufacturer promises to provide on subsequent production).

People who are considering re-powering a lightweight two-wheeler might appreciate a few details of the Q&R engine- and we'd like to pass them on because it really is a sweetie. Die cast aluminum is used extensively and the engine weighs a mere 5 lbs., fitting in the palm of an adult. It is fed by a real diaphragm (pumper) Walbro carb that keeps the fuel flowing nicely whatever the machine's position. The fuel mixture flows into the crankshaft and is controlled by a reed valve. A neat feature is being able to put the muffler on the back, front or side of the engine. The cylinder can be turned on the crankcase by loosening the mounting bolts, thus putting the exhaust port on any of the three sides. The cylinder is a one piece affair with no bolted-on head. Apparently, the cylinder bore has a chrome facing for longer life. The heavy crankshaft runs in an oversized ball bearing (PTO) and a roller bearing (flywheel end).

If you go around the Micro-Cycle looking for the normal mini-bike centrifugal clutch, you're going to be out of luck. Mounted on the power take-off side you will notice a clean-looking "gear box" which isn't really a gear box. It's a gear reduction box that gets the eight or nine thousand maximum engine revs down to a more torquey 2,000 rpm at the transmission shaft. Within this gear reduction box is a centrifugal clutch with two sintered metal shoes and a heavy-duty drum. Wear on the clutch should be at a minimum since the whole thing runs in oil. Running a centrifugal clutch in oil produces some initial slippage at engagement speeds. But once the shoes fully engage, they will hold as the rpm drops drops below the initial slippage speed. This is especially useful for two-wheeler applications as the initial slippage helps to get the machine moving smoothly then, once it is rolling, the clutch remains engaged for slow speed maneuvers.

The Q&R engine is not cheap. With the gear reduction/clutch the retail is around $90 ($75 for the engine alone) but considering all the features and its probable longevity, it is worth considering for jobs where horsepower is not a primary factor. The cost of the engine may be one reason that the Micro-Cycle weighs in at a hefty, for a fun machine, $199.95.

The frame of the Micro-Cycle also yields some interesting features. For instance, there is no gas tank. No, it's not magic. The machine does require fuel but it's kept in the frame rather than in a seperate tank. The frame main members consists of a large diameter (3 inches) tube welded at the steering head and angling downwards to the back of the seat. A filler neck is inserted into this tube and the tube is made leak-proof. Eureka! An instant gas tank.

The engine is mounted on brackets that are welded to the main member and forward protection of the engine is provided by two forward loops These chromed loops also provide mounting positions for the three-point kickstand (not very sturdy) and the folding pegs.

Forks, in the accepted sense of the term, went the way of the gas tank- there are none. Instead, a single piece of steel bar stock is welded to the main frame member at the back and runs down, making a right angle turn, to become the rear axle.

A similar arrangement is made at the front except that the bar stock runs through the steering head and has a squared tongue at the top. The tongue fits into a bracket welded to the handlebars, which are held in place by a bolt that threads into the bar stock.

Simple and, for a machine of this type, effective. High rise handlebars, folding footpegs and a thick padded seat completes, for the most part, the Micro-Cycle.

At this point we should point out that the handlebars do not fold- either accidently or by design (so many folding handlebars will do it either way). However, their nuisance value when stowing the machine in a VW luggage compartment is negated by having the front wheel turn at right angles to the frame. This means that the handlebars lay flat while the wheels stick up. However, the tire is only 11-inches in diameter so it doesn't create much of a problem, at least in the trunk.

But what about when riding the Micro-Cycle? We all know that small diameter tires usually result in bad handling characteristics. So the Micro-Cycle is squirrelly- right? Wrong! Well, at least, not as badly as you might imagine looking at the machine. Of course, it's no motocross motorcycle but, provided care is taken to avoid the worst pot-holes, it can be ridden safely.

Not that you'd want yo do any long distance trail riding with it. The lack of suspension is apt to make things a little jouncy. We did take the little Micro-Cycle with us when we went out on the trail for some test riding. The smaller riders we had along were able to hack it around pretty good on the moderate stuff and, of all the machines we had out that day, this one got more use than most.

Still, in all, the Micro-Cycle is really a super fun machine for the lightweight set and is out of its depth on any but the most moderate trail. It's top speed of about 15 to 20 mph is ideal for the learning rider and the easy-going nature of the power unit means that unexpected wheelies will not occur.

For the guy that is yet to learn to handle today's bigger and more powerful machines, or is not physically big enough to sit safely on them, the Micro-Cycle may be the answer. Judging by the quality of the power plant and general construction details, it should be around for a long time. Which is kinda nice because "fun machines" have long been associated with minimal quality and minimal price- which is not, necessarily, the only reason for buying a smaller mini-bike.


HOLDER MICRO-CYCLE

Manufacturer:
Die Cast Finishing Co., 2020 Lakeside Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44114

ENGINE
Engine type: O&R single, two-stroke
Bore: 36.5mm
Stroke: 31.75mm
Displacement: 33cc
Horsepower @ rpm: 1.6 @7,200
Compression ratio: N/A
Carb: Walbro diaphragm
Ignition: Flywheel magneto
Lubrication: Oil mist
Fuel capacity: 1.5 quarts
Fuel requirement: 16:1 Regular gas:eek:il

TRANSMISSION
Transmission type: 4:1 gear reduction box
Primary drive: Straight-cut gears
Clutch type: Centrifugal
Final Drive: No. 35 chain
Gear ratio: 16:1 overall

CHASSIS
Frame type: Single backbone
Wheelbase: 26 inches
Overall length: 37 inches
Suspension,
Front: Rigid
Rear: Rigid
Wheels: 5-inch pressed steel
Tires,
Front: 11-inch diam.
Rear: 11-inch diam.
Brake(s): Mechanical disc.
Ground clearance: 4 inches
Seat height: 20 inches
Handlebar height: 30 inches
Dry weight: 40 lbs.

PRICE AS TESTED: $199.95

Source: MINI BIKE GUIDE - November 1971
 
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#2
MBP,

If you need the copy of MBG 11/1971 I have for reference, PM me your address and I will ship it.
There are currently 7 MBGs on eBay right now, but this issue never pops up it seems.
I have a duplicate of it anyways.

cd
 
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