New motorized bicycle project

[inuyasha]

Hi
Heres the new motorized bike project im going to start work on
A Felt MP Cruiser
http://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2013/Cruiser/Men-s-3-Spd/MP.aspx
With a Grubee engine
http://www.gasbike.net/product_51_detailed.html
Jackshaft
http://www.sickbikeparts.com/catalog/jackshaft.php
Disc brakes
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_542643_-1___202420
Thats the start, future upgrades will be magneto powered lights and horn
Take care and ride safely
Yours Hank

[prodigit]

So, you still ride em?

I just started a new project myself,
The Walmart Onyx 29" beach cruiser, with a 2 stroke 66cc engine on.
This'll be my new cruiser, with a rear sprocket of 32-36T (still deciding).

I want to go fast, but not unsafe fast, and I also want to cruise happily at 20-30MPH, not with a screaming engine.
But most of all, I want high MPG. Estimated I'd do in the 170's of MPG.

But you're way ahead of me,
I love the idea of combining the engine with the internal gears!
However for now, I don't have the luxury ($$$) to do that...

I was also looking for disc brakes, however, I think I'm going for a cheaper alternative.
In your case you may be able to mount 2 discs, but in mine, I can only use 1.
So no reason to pay extra for that!

[Admin]

That will be a really cool project Hank, hope you keep us updated with any and all progress throughout! :nod:

[prodigit]

I've done an MPG re-calculation,
On Amazon you can find 2 stroke oils for ~$50/gal.
At 150MPG, a bike with direct sprocket, and engine kit is more efficient than my TaoTao ATM50 scooter, which gets 99MPG.

It came down to,
my scoot: 24 miles per dollar
Bicycle + kit: 34 miles per dollar

@150MPG (I use a 32T rear sprocket for high MPG's), that means it costs me just over $4.41 / tank (1 gal tank).

While the scooter would do just over $4 per tank (1 gallon tank) and do 99 miles.
For 150 miles, the scoot would use just over $6.1

That means a saving of $1,6 every 150 miles (excluding oilchanges).
Including oil changes, on a period of 1500 miles, the bike would cost me just under $45 on fuel.
The scooter would cost me $61 on fuel, and additional ~$20 on oil changes, for a total of just under $81.
If you're riding 2000 miles a year, include tag renewal, and you're at $200 per year for the scooter.

For the bicycle, you're just at $90 per year. Add to that, a bicycle lock every 2 years, and you'll be running at half the price a scooter does!

Despite mixing expensive oil in the fuel system, it still comes out cheaper per mile, than a 4 stroke scooter.

It does have lower performance, and is less safe/reliable.


Initial purchase price:

Wallyworld bicycle: $160
Engine kit : $175
Custom 32T Sprocket: $35
2 Stroke oil, 1 gal: $48 (covers 4 gallon for a total of 4.25 gallons of fuel mixture).
bicycle lock: $25
Good Saddle: $30
Front disc brake: $35
Total: $460.

Scooter:
Inintial purchase price + shipping: $800
Tag + registration + tax: $225
3 quarts of engine oil: $18
1 quart of transmission fluid: $ 9
Total: just over $1050

Even the initial purchase price is half of a scooter!

The only thing is, most people say, that these kits don't last very long. A good 8k miles tops.

[inuyasha]

So, you still ride em?

I just started a new project myself,
The Walmart Onyx 29" beach cruiser, with a 2 stroke 66cc engine on.
This'll be my new cruiser, with a rear sprocket of 32-36T (still deciding).

I want to go fast, but not unsafe fast, and I also want to cruise happily at 20-30MPH, not with a screaming engine.
But most of all, I want high MPG. Estimated I'd do in the 170's of MPG.

But you're way ahead of me,
I love the idea of combining the engine with the internal gears!
However for now, I don't have the luxury ($$$) to do that...

I was also looking for disc brakes, however, I think I'm going for a cheaper alternative.
In your case you may be able to mount 2 discs, but in mine, I can only use 1.
So no reason to pay extra for that!
Hi
If it has 2 wheels and a motor im riding it and most of the fun for me is in the build
Sounds like you have a good project as well
Heres some good sites
http://www.vintageprojects.com/mini-bike/Power-Bike-plans.pdf
http://www.thejakebike.com/
http://kcsbikes.com/
http://www.motoredbikes.com/forum.php?
http://motorbicycling.com/index.php?
Take care and ride safely dear friend
Yours Hank

[inuyasha]

I've done an MPG re-calculation,
On Amazon you can find 2 stroke oils for ~$50/gal.
At 150MPG (for a 32-36T sprocket bike), a bike with direct sprocket and engine kit is more efficient than my TaoTao ATM50 scooter, which gets 99MPG.


It came down to,
my scoot: 24 miles per dollar
Bicycle + kit: 34 miles per dollar

@150MPG (I use a 32T rear sprocket for high MPG's), that means it costs me just over $4.41 / tank (1 gal tank).

While the scooter would do just over $4 per tank (1 gallon tank) and do 99 miles.
For 150 miles, the scoot would use just over $6.1

That means a saving of $1,6 every 150 miles (excluding oilchanges).
Including oil changes, on a period of 1500 miles, the bike would cost me just under $45 on fuel.
The scooter would cost me $61 on fuel, and additional ~$20 on oil changes, for a total of just under $81.
If you're riding 2000 miles a year, include tag renewal, and you're at $200 per year for the scooter.

For the bicycle, you're just at $90 per year. Add to that, a bicycle lock every 2 years, and you'll be running at half the price a scooter does!

Despite mixing expensive oil in the fuel system, it still comes out cheaper per mile, than a 4 stroke scooter.

It does have lower performance, and is less safe/reliable.


Initial purchase price:

Wallyworld bicycle: $160
Engine kit : $175
Custom 32T Sprocket: $35
2 Stroke oil, 1 gal: $48 (covers ~30 gallons of fuel mixture).
bicycle lock: $25
Good Saddle: $30
Front disc brake: $35
Total: $460.

Scooter:
Inintial purchase price + shipping: $800
Tag + registration + tax: $225
3 quarts of engine oil: $18
1 quart of transmission fluid: $ 9
Total: just over $1050

Even the initial purchase price is half of a scooter!

The only thing is, most people say, that these kits don't last very long. A good 8k miles tops.
Hi
Thats not always the case
If you spend the time money and effort you can get them to equal or even exceed a 4 t 50 cc scoot
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYVOvg2CMA0
Take care and ride safely dear friend
Yours Hank

[larrball]

Love the video Hank,

Now that's a nice setup he has.
A bike like that can come in handy when a scooter is not a choice ride
(trail ride/park or where you cannot use the engine for some time.)

The only problem i foresee is when (not if) a chain derails. :no:
Would there be a way to contain the chain due to a mishap?
Like a cover for all the hardware?

You get a pantleg caught up in that there ol chain at 30Mph, and that's going to be a bad, really bad BO-BO. (joke)

[prodigit]

Never had that happen, but then again, all things are possible.
The thing is that a bicycle frame is much more fragile than a scooter frame.
It is possible to torque, or break the frame, or wheel parts from the engine power.

Most kits are only one gear. The guy is lucky to have several. I wish I had several too!
I'm limited to one gear, where I need quite some pedaling to get enough speed to jumpstart the engine; a price I'd probably have to pay for the higher MPG values.

Another thing, they mentioned that a lot of these bike engines have bad counter balances in them, causing excessive vibration. some people get rid of the vibration by drilling small holes in them, or soldering onto existing metal to counter the weight difference.
Without it some people say the vibrations are a lot...
I hope it's going to work out though...

Are you thinking of putting your engine on a metal/rubber/wooden block, or mount it straight to the frame?

[wheelbender6]

I enjoy the simplicity of the motorized bicycle. You don't have to be Jesse James to maintain it. here's mine. I have added a centrifugal clutch since the pic was taken.
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/wheelbender/CIMG0302.jpg

[epyon96r]

you could save even more money by getting an used bicycle...

[epyon96r]

that felt mp is pricey, but its looks oh so sweet

[blueboy5000]

Nothing wrong with a Felt as a base for a motorbike, good choice as they are light and beefy framesets.

Very nice!

[inuyasha]

Nothing wrong with a Felt as a base for a motorbike, good choice as they are light and beefy framesets.

Very nice!
Hi
Thanks im trying to replicate one of the motorbikes that Ridley makes
http://www.ridleymotorcycle.com/motorbike/mp.htm
Take care and ride safely dear friend
Yours Hank

[prodigit]

I almost finished my beach cruiser, just waiting for more parts.

I'll also upload a pic.
All I'm having problems with is finding a good braking system. The coaster brake is far from good, reliable or dependable in emergencies!
It barely can brake.

[blueboy5000]

I almost finished my beach cruiser, just waiting for more parts.

I'll also upload a pic.
All I'm having problems with is finding a good braking system. The coaster brake is far from good, reliable or dependable in emergencies!
It barely can brake.

My old Rollfast motorbike used a New Departure Model D coaster hub, and it was pretty good at braking the 80cc kit. BUT the non-name china hub on my last motor bike was totally worthless, and since it became seized when trying to brake at 20mph, I have to say; do not use a cheap-o coaster brake on a motorbike conversion.

Granted, both bikes were stolen, so I was not able to adequately test the new Departure Model D coaster brake.

I think installing a good cable or hydraulic disc set is the way to go for motorbike brakes.

[prodigit]

My bike is currently accumulating rust.
I stopped the project, because it became more expensive, and less reliable than a scooter.
Gas mileage is similar to my ATM50 anyway.
The 2 stroke engines have a very low Torque at low RPM, meaning at peak RPM, they could pull a 32T sprocket, but you have to pedal the heck out of them, in order to just be able to maintain 15MPH!
The torque is not high enough to overcome 15MPH with a 32T sprocket, but should you somehow miraculously get the bike to 35+ MPH, I suppose that the engine torque will be higher, and maintain a speed of ~40MPH.


36T is really the smallest I'd go on these engines, should you still want to be able to accelerate somewhat!

[wheelbender6]

Motorized bikes do require attention before and after almost every ride. My 2t was stock, and cruised at 25mph with a 39t rear sprocket. It was much easier to maintain and ride in traffic after I installed a centrifugal clutch. I reluctantly sold it two weeks ago. I enjoyed the tinkering.

[Gy6]

I've had two of these in the past. They're a whole lot of fun, feels a little more exciting going 35 on a bicycle than on a scooter! Just make sure you get some real high quality tires rated for speed, I had a tire slip off the rim while I was going around a corner (pretty wide corner) at 35 and fell real hard. My head smacked the ground hard! Thankfully I was wearing a motorcycle helmet!

[wheelbender6]

I'm glad your weren't hurt, Gy6. You are dead on about the tires. Once you begin to cruise at speeds above 30 mph, in my opinion, you need tires, wheels, brakes and other components from a good downhill mountain bike. The downhill bikes are heavy, but designed to be durable at speeds above 30 mph.

[wheelbender6]

Here is my e-bike. The kit came with the batteries and controller mounted on the rear cargo rack. Low speed handling was terrible with all that weight on the back. I moved the hefty SLA batteries to the frame triangle and mounted the controller in an old fuel tank. I still have some work to do on that battery box, but the bike is much easier to ride now.
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh31/wheelbender/Mobile%20Uploads/mms_picture_zps28bf82f0.jpg (http://s252.photobucket.com/user/wheelbender/media/Mobile%20Uploads/mms_picture_zps28bf82f0.jpg.html)