1979 - Motorcycle added to the collection

Motorcycle

Details: Category: Expert Builder Set; Hits: 383

1979

Set Year: 1979
Set Number: 856
Set Parts: 373
Set Price: 69.50
Building Instruction: No
Currency: Guilders

During its year of introduction this set was priced 62.50 guilders.

Set 856 was released under the "Technical Set" series in 1979 in Europe and in the USA as 951, an "Expert Builder"set. This bulldozer features a bucket which raises and dumps via rack and pinion systems, and rides atop large tracks wound around 40 tooth gears. The body uses mostly traditional studded construction, with the exception of the linkage which makes the bucket functional. A large number of connectors are used to form tie rods.

This bulldozer has one of my favorite mechanisms of any Technic set. Rather than using the expected rotational controls to move the bucket, this model uses two ingenious, interconnected rack systems which translate within the structure. As if that wasn't enough, this model also introduces tracks, a variation on the new chain link parts included in 857. There are 106 tracks in this set and, for a long time, this was the only set in which you could get them. Only two other sets would ever be released which sit atop tracks, and they would be spaced out 10 years. This model also uses a specialized piece for the side of the bucket. This was unusual for 1979 since most parts still had many possible uses and were not highly specialized like this one.

Read more: 951 - Bulldozer

Details: Category: Expert Builder Set; Hits: 358

1979

Set Year: 1979
Set Number: 857
Set Parts: 410
Set Price: 80.75
Building Instruction: No
Currency: Guilders

During its year of introduction this set was priced 72.50 guilders.

Set 857 was released under the "Technical Set" series in 1979 in Europe. It finally made it to the US in 1980 with the number 8857 as an "Expert Builder" set, the first set which used the now standard 4 digit identification number. This motorcycle featured a steerable fork and a chain driven 1 cylinder engine. Traditional studded construction is used almost exclusively with the exception of the frame.

Despite the fact that many LEGO^® motorcycles have been released over the years, this one is unique in many ways. The parts list consists almost entirely of standard bricks, plates, and slopes. The fenders, especially the rear, have compound curvature, yet were made entirely of plates. All of the exterior design details were made in this way with traditional LEGO^® bricks. The frame, however, was built from pinned beams, which allowed the unusual angles which could never have been produced with studded construction. This set is also unusual in that the primary functionality, the engine, is completely hidden when the model is completed.

Future motorcycles would usually use unique, narrow wheels, but this set used the same wheels as the auto chassis. It also marked a couple of firsts. The 16 tooth gear was used for the first time here, as was the chain link. Realistic motorcycle functionality really required a chain, so here the engine is driven off the rear wheel via a chain.

Besides that never ever another motorcycle set was released with a sidecar.