Janus Halcyon 50 – An American Original

From Mo-Ped performance tuning to handmade small-displacement motorcycles, Devin Biek and Richard Worsham are traveling a unique path. The small company they have formed, Janus Motorcycles, is located in Indiana and employs primarily local vendors and artisans. The owners found that Mo-Ped enthusiasts demonstrated an interest in the type of small displacement, simple motorcycle design they have developed. Their first model is the Halcyon 50, which employs a two-stroke engine and unique styling that draws inspiration from the past. Below are brief excerpts from the Janus Motorcycle website, followed by the Halcyon 50 specs. You can read an interesting interview with one of the Janus Motorcycles’ founders here.

The goal of Janus Motorcycles has been to produce a line of simple, stylish, easy-to-ride and light-weight motorcycles that will appeal to a new generation of male and female riders.

Our bikes aren’t replicas; we haven’t designed them to exactly emulate a period from history. They are contemporary, practical machines that celebrate some of our favorite aspects of motorcycle design over the last century.

We are building motorcycles for all ages of men and women who may not see themselves as a “biker,” or doing 150mph, but who love the freedom, joy, and mobility that a motorcycle allows, especially if they can work on it themselves. We hope that what we are trying to accomplish is a step toward building a younger, broader generation of American riders, and ideally, a new American motorcycle company producing bikes ranging from 125 to 250cc’s.

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION

Type: Water-cooled, case-inducted, 2-stroke single

Displacement: 49.9cc

Bore/Stroke: 39.86 X 40mm

Carburation: 17mm Dellorto carburetor

Lubrication: Mechanical oil pump

Starting System: Kick and electric

Exhaust: Tuned expansion chamber with stinger

Final Drive: Chain

Clutch Wet, multi-plate

Gearbox: 6-speed

Fuel Capacity: 3 gallons

Oil capacity: 1 quart

FRAME, RUNNING GEAR & DISPLAYS

Frame: Tubular steel cradle

Wheels: Cast aluminum hubs with steel 36 spoke rims

Tires: Front 3.00X18, Back 3.50X18

Suspension: EBR hydraulic forks, hard-tail with sprung seat

Brakes: Front and rear drum

Instrumentation: Analog speedometer, turn indicator and neutral lights

PERFORMANCE

Maximum Power: 9.8 hp

Maximum Speed: 55mph

Fuel Efficiency: Estimated 60+mpg