Return of the Pocket Bike
RETURN OF THE POCKET BIKE
It's been over two years since Cycle World took a look at a "pocket bike" mini road racer (November, 1978). Only a few of the tiny bikes had made it to this country at the time, and the price (over $500 retail) discouraged would-be importers from bringing in quantities of the 30cc micromotorcycles.
Since then, we're told by the new im porters of the Dandy MR3O, pocket bike racing has exploded in Japan, with for mula races being held on over 100 tracks built specifically for pocket bike racing. There are two classes, one stock and one modified, and over 18 companies man ufacturing the machines.
The U.S. importers, Kendee Distributing Co., hope that pocket bike madness will catch on in the U.S., and they’re bringing in shiploads of MR30s to sell at (gulp!) over $600 each in retail shops. To promote pocket bike racing the company has arranged access to some Malibu Grand Prix tracks, which are little racetracks where people pay $ 1 a lap to drive around a small-scale, rotary-enginepowered formula racecar. The midget formula car tracks are popular in the Los Angeles area, and Kendee is starting their push for pocket bike racing there.
Some specifics: The Dandy is powered by a 1.6 hp, 30.5cc, air-cooled two-stroke engine requiring pre-mix fuel and built by Fuji Heavy Industries (manufacturers of Subaru automobiles). Wheelbase is 25.5 in., seat height 14 in., ground clearance less than 2 in., tire size 3.00 - 4 front and rear, and dry weight 34 lb.
That last specification points out that pocket bike races don’t require crash trucks. Any bikes that become unrideable during a race (or even just run out of gas) can be carried back into the pits by the rider.
Information is available from Kendee Distributing Co., 16001 Dalton, Gardena, Calif. 90247 (213) 515-5750.
