NeoC5 🚴♂️✨
A modern revival of the Sinclair C5, blending nostalgia with technology.
NeoC5 is a personal project to “resto-mod” the iconic Sinclair C5 with modern features like Neopixel LEDs, satellite connectivity for live tracking, and a digital dashcluster.
This journey combines mechanical restoration, electrical engineering, and creative hacking.
….none of which I’m particularly good at, so this is going to be an interesting journey.
🌟 Vision
What I aim to do with the NeoC5:
- Restore the Sinclair C5 to a fully functional state.
- Upgrade it with modern technology for today’s requirements and aesthetics.
- Showcase it at hacker events like WHY2025.
- I too, don’t like arbitrary deadlines for stuff, so let’s all agree that while I wanna show it off at WHY, it’s probably not gonna be done, ok?
- There, now your expectations are managed and I don’t have unnecessary pressure.
- Daily it as a method of transportation.
- Yup. So there’ll be no speed mods and no OTT lighting that’ll get me in trouble.
- ok… maybe some OTT lighting.
📜 Project Roadmap
1. Mechanical Restoration
- Replace and repair essential components:
- Tires and inner tubes ✅
- Chain and tensioner
- Brakes and cables
- Ensure the C5 functions as a standard bike.
2. Electrical Rebuild
- Research and implement a modern electric drivetrain.
- Add a motor, battery, and wiring harness.
- Integrate a throttle and basic pedal assist.
3. Cosmetic Restoration
- Sand, repaint, and repair the body shell.
- Replace broken light lenses and external features.
- Polish for a clean, modern look.
4. Advanced Mods
- Add Neopixel LEDs for lighting.
- Build a digital dashboard for speed, battery, and system stats.
- Experiment with Iridium network integration for live tracking.
- Shamefully nicked from Blue & Q. But hey, now I know it’s possible, I’d be an idiot to not even try.
🛠️ Progress & Milestones
- Current Stage: Mechanical restoration.
- Key tasks completed:
🌍 Inspiration
This project is a tribute to the creativity and ingenuity of the hacker community. It blends retro tech with modern innovation, proving that upcycling can be both functional and artistic.
🤝 Get Involved
NeoC5 is currently a private project but will be made public in the future. Stay tuned for updates and opportunities to contribute!
📸 Gallery
[WiP] I’ll get round to making something akin to a gallery soon(tm)*
Feel free to reach out with questions, suggestions, or encouragement:
*As of 31-01-2025 - Soon(tm) could be like, 4 weeks from now. Although, 4 weeks from now, I’d kinda like to have the Chain and tensioner and brakes sorted, which would also put me in Phase 2…. so that’s a thing