Davinci unveils DC100 Classic E-bike

• As industry remembers Citroen’s Helicron

Chinese electric motorcycle manufacturer, Davinci, has introduced a classic-inspired electric motorcycle that offers performance similar to a 1,000cc machine.

According to industry news medium, Ride Apart, the electric bike model come into an electric motorcycle market that is full of new and exciting options, with most of them designed to satisfy the needs of urban dwellers and commuters.

And the market is excited to see the DC100 which Davinci introduced at the Chongqing motorcycle show among the electric motorcycles that are designed for fun and excitement.

Now that the DC100 is expected to commence deliveries soon, the manufacturer has decided to release yet another version of the DC100 in the form of the Classic, which puts a retro spin on this high-power electric motorcycle.

For example, the DC100 Classic does away with futuristic bodywork in favor of a round headlight, exposed motor and battery, and a brown leather saddle. Furthermore, the bike gets low-slung clip-ons that give the rider an aggressive, retro-racer stance.

The new features highlight the safety precautions adopted by manufacturers as fire incidents begin to dent the rave for electric motorbikes, scooters other two wheeler options.

The Oracle Today reports that electric mobility from e-scooters to e-bikes, electric scooters, electric motorcycles, and other two-wheelers that blur the line between two or more of these categories, is clearly on the rise with plenty of people around the world are hopping on board.

But reported cases of fire outbreaks from the two wheeler e-mobility vehicles are getting rampant. A total of 40 such fires were reported in the United States in 2020, jumping to 105 in 2021, and 203 as of mid-August, 2022.

Common causes of fire incidents in two wheeler e-mobility include faulty or damaged battery cells, modules, and chargers. Report specifically call out do-it-yourself (DIY) e-bike conversion kits as a common culprit, and cites the possibility of damaged batteries or incorrect chargers being used. 

A report by Inside Edition shows that an unattended and overheating battery and charger combination can quickly light lead to fire incidents.

A separate ITV report also mentioned that some e-bike and e-scooter batteries and chargers involved in such fires may not meet current safety standards.

Experts advise that users should go for chargers that have automatic shutoffs that stop them from overcharging their respective batteries. The automatic shutoffs could make a real difference in electric two-wheeler safety, they say.

Meanwhile, the rave for alternative ways of propelling vehicles in the current emission conscious world has brought back the memories of four-foot fan blade fan propellers that drove a Citroen car the front.

The 1932 Helicron, found in a French barn in 2000, is described an automotive unicorn which used a propeller for propulsion, creating a possibility of battery powered that could pull a car from the front.

The Helicron was completely rebuilt, and it’s legal for the road, spinning propeller and all. The car has thoroughly been restored with as many original parts as possible. However, some things needed to be fabricated, like the propeller shroud. The gauges also had to be repaired, although the car’s dash is still the original, along with the 19-inch wire wheels, the headlights, brake pedal, steering wheel, light switch, steering gear, and type plate.

It measures 14 feet long, and it steers the rear wheels. The original designers flipped the chassis around, putting the engine compartment at the front and the steer wheels at the back, which makes it frustrating to drive with its large turning circle. It’s length doesn’t help.

The original engine wasn’t found with the car, which was a flat-two motor. Instead, the restoration process saw a more robust and modern engine from Citroen power the propeller, with the crankshaft directly coupled to the blade’s hub. It has a fixed prop with a climbing pitch, which helps the car accelerate because it’s not quick. A simple hill could require the driver to get out of the vehicle to push it, but the steering, accelerator, and brake are easily accessible from outside the car, making it a bit safer to push than a modern vehicle.

The 1932 Helicron is unlike any other car. Instead of an engine spinning a driveshaft that turns the tires, it used a simpler design – a propeller. These cars often used simple and efficient motorcycle engines. The idea never caught on, and many of the propeller-driven vehicles from the era failed to survive. They are testaments to the creativity, ingenuity, and, maybe, our hubris of the time.