I regularly ride one for the last five years or so. and over 4500 miles My wife supports it (compared to a motorcycle)
What I can tell you about them... They are chinese copy of a russian engine. The quality is a crap shoot with castings. Parts are really cheap just slow to ship. The kit will need "tweaking" to fit right, and it needs to fit right. I've rebuilt the top end and piston 2x, and replaced the whole engine once. It's a wonderfully simple design Per dollar, its the most fun machine I have. I love it!! Put it on a steel frame bike if you can Don't use fenders if you don't remount them extremely strong. the gas tank is not made well. the bottom studs crack through the tank so easy. Plan on a better tank for piece of mind. My bike made it fine, but I did upgrade the front brake. That is a worthwhile investment. No car thinks you will be going 35mph and will turn in front of you Spandex bike guys may react poorly as you smoke by in sandals and shorts Wear a helmet. be prepared to check torque on fasteners often. Check the legality aspect. To be safe I made mine a moped. I did not want the harassment. I've surprised a few officers, nobody bugs me anymore.
There are forums for these motorbicycles too.
[This message has been edited by gen2muchwork (edited 11-01-2017).]
I guess these are for people that can't afford a moped? Personally, I don't see the point. If I want to ride my bicycle, I want to pedal too. If I want to get somewhere without using my muscles, I just drive.
I have seen park rangers writing tickets for people riding motorized bicycles, both gas and electric, on the bicycle path. I guess they didn't read the sign that said no motorized traffic.
I seen above and other "kits" many times... Most are noisy to very noisy right from the start and get worse and often smokes a lot after cheap engines runs just a few hours. Cheap Kits can do damage to the rider, bike and/or rear wheel because cheap brackets and hardware get loose or break.
Gas or electric motors on bikes varies by state, even by county or city in some cases. So check local laws BEFORE buying. Examples: In some cases you may not be allowed to use bike lanes in a city and/or trails in a park etc. Your state may class them as Moped after conversion that need to register w/ and "tagged" by DMV and maybe insurance too. Many require to have a driver's license but not a MC License in most places. (Often goes by Engine CC and/or Max MPH. Most states limit Moped speed to 25-30mph Max. Quick overview see http://www.moped2.org/mstates.htm )
If you run w/o proper doc's etc and stopped then can have problems for driving w/o license, no reg/tag, or worse no insurance which get you a suspended license for 6mo to a Year in many states. If your stopped in Philly and others w/ Live Stop w/o current doc's then wave Bye Bye to the bike because they will impound it on the spot.
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)
I (honestly) have no idea why an adult would want to put an engine on a bicycle................... As a kid, I thought about it but, unfortunately, the Massey Ferguson engine I had access to was a bit too big or the bicycle.
There are so many cheap motorcycles out there, why would one bother?
I guess these are for people that can't afford a moped? Personally, I don't see the point. If I want to ride my bicycle, I want to pedal too. If I want to get somewhere without using my muscles, I just drive.
I have seen park rangers writing tickets for people riding motorized bicycles, both gas and electric, on the bicycle path. I guess they didn't read the sign that said no motorized traffic.
Mopeds are bulky , and heavy.. I'd like a motor on my bike That you could engauge . I've been known to put on my ipod and ride and forget how out of shape I am, get 25 miles down to the beach and then get off the bike to res some and then it hurts to try to pedal back that 25 miles, A motor would be ideal here.. My issue is once I stop, I could ride down to the beach and then back no issue but then you can't enjoy the beach or what is on it I've done a 70 mile ride and was fine till I got off it for the day, Then even climbing stares sucked.. Can't pedal a moped 25 miles even if you wanted to in a day.. They are geared like a childs first bike,
I guess these are for people that can't afford a moped? Personally, I don't see the point. If I want to ride my bicycle, I want to pedal too. If I want to get somewhere without using my muscles, I just drive.
I have seen park rangers writing tickets for people riding motorized bicycles, both gas and electric, on the bicycle path. I guess they didn't read the sign that said no motorized traffic.
These seem to be really popular with "preppers", they like the idea that you can ride it with and without fuel(because like you pointed out it's a moped for poor people) but also people just like them for what they are.
I guess these are for people that can't afford a moped? Personally, I don't see the point. If I want to ride my bicycle, I want to pedal too. If I want to get somewhere without using my muscles, I just drive.
me too and I do. Not far, about 7 miles every day, but it keeps my heart working and my weight down. Wife rides her's along side me, and the 2 dogs follow behind. I drew the line at wearing that stupid helmet tho. (we have both a high $ treadmill and an exercycle, but I much prefer the bike.)
[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 11-01-2017).]
Carb for "better" performance? Compared to what? A blender? A pair of dirty sweat socks?
They are cheaper, easier to fix, and require less external supporting parts to work.. carb only needa air and a gravity feed fuel source. efi needs a hell of allot more to work.. nevermind a charging system and battery, o2 sensor /crank sensor,and fuel pump and wiring.. K.I.S.S.
They are cheaper, easier to fix, and require less external supporting parts to work.. carb only needa air and a gravity feed fuel source. efi needs a hell of allot more to work.. nevermind a charging system and battery, o2 sensor /crank sensor,and fuel pump and wiring.. K.I.S.S.
Lol, but efi was never a option. It claims an upgrade in performance, what's the alternative?
[This message has been edited by jmbishop (edited 11-01-2017).]
I (honestly) have no idea why an adult would want to put an engine on a bicycle................... As a kid, I thought about it but, unfortunately, the Massey Ferguson engine I had access to was a bit too big or the bicycle.
There are so many cheap motorcycles out there, why would one bother?
What do you Know, Ron....watched one of you guys at work today. guy took a helo with winds 20 gusting 40, set it down within inches of where its supposed to be...
Ya know how airplane pilots handle the same thing ?...line up with the runway, close your eyes, and pray "oh, **** , dont let me **** this up". Once a wheel is down, you can open your eyes again...
I owned a couple of Whizzer motorbikes when I was a teenager. The engines were on heavy duty Schwin bicycles. At least they were four strokes, but no transmission so you were lugging the engine on start up and then over revving shortly later. I wish I had kept them. they're collectable now.
Schwins used to be the caddy of bicycles but are a cheaply made rustbucket nowadays. Wife has one and anything chromed is almost solid rust already and it's never spent a day or night without a roof over it's head and we bought it new in May this year. Needed 2 new tubes in the first week...I was sitting on the front porch early one morning and heard a "Pooooffffffftt' and the thing had just blew out while it was sitting on the front porch.
My brother has an old Rollfast bicycle I'd like to have..he doesn't ride it anymore and it's sitting in his shop with two flat tires. They were pretty good bikes too.
motor and 21 speeds, heck, build a light weight gocart with bike gear sets, and big rear bike wheels.. It be killer on those bike/trikes Be the next best thing to the old Honda trikes they outlawed..
...I was sitting on the front porch early one morning and heard a "Pooooffffffftt' and the thing had just blew out while it was sitting on the front porch.
Something about the rubber they are using for tubes these days. I bought a brand new tube for a craftsman mower(meant to be tubeless but the sidewall refused to keep the air in). The tube didn't even expand, it just shredded instantly. Nothing poked it, it was just junk. I ordered one online, it inflated and as far as I know it's still holding air. Recently I gave up on the tubes, I when the tubeless tires refuse to hold air, I fill them with great stuff foam.
[This message has been edited by jmbishop (edited 11-02-2017).]
motor and 21 speeds, heck, build a light weight gocart with bike gear sets, and big rear bike wheels.. It be killer on those bike/trikes Be the next best thing to the old Honda trikes they outlawed..
These engines don't use the ratcheting sprocket so they are single speed on the motor. You clamp a new sprocket on the left side spokes for the motor.
It could be done though, you'd probably want to skip done sprockets.
Something about the rubber they are using for tubes these days. I bought a brand new tube for a craftsman mower(meant to be tubeless) but the sidewall refused to keep the air in. The tube didn't even expand, it just shredded instantly. Nothing poked it, it was just junk. I ordered one online, it inflated and as far as I know it's still holding air. Recently I gave up on the tubes, I when the tubeless tires refuse to hold air, I fill them with great stuff foam.
You get what you pay for.. but ya, foam is the way to go.. but I'd go to a heavy equipment fleet service and have them fill it with that foam it doesn't shrink from load like the home insulating type does.. When I had my case backhoe I had the tires filled, it was great.. The big rear tires were costly to fill but mower tires are tiny..
Originally posted by blackrams: I (honestly) have no idea why an adult would want to put an engine on a bicycle................... As a kid, I thought about it but, unfortunately, the Massey Ferguson engine I had access to was a bit too big or the bicycle.
There are so many cheap motorcycles out there, why would one bother?
Mopeds generally do not require a MC license, higher DMV fees, higher insurance, not even inspection in states that have them. Many have them just to go to stores near by and can park bicycle types in any bike rack or even ride/carry/push electric ones inside many places. (Fire Codes and Building/Business Policies in many places won't allow gas engines inside most business etc.)
NY Class A mopeds are one of few require MC license because allow 30-40mph but class B & C doesn't. Some like NY may class them "Motor-assisted Bicycle" depending on just how the that is done. These are often very limited power and/or speeds like many that uses a roller on a wheel to drive the bike to help user to get up a hill. Chain/Belt drive w/ gas engine often don't qualify in many states. E bike may or not count depending on max speed. E bike w/ max speed >19mph is a Motor Vehicle for Fed rules. https://en.wikipedia.org/wi...ycle#United_States_2
In DE: "Moped" shall mean a pedal or nonpedal bicycle having 2 tandem wheels, "Triped" shall mean a pedal or nonpedal cycle having 3 wheels, either of which is 10 inches or more in maximum diameter, and having an internal combustion motor characterized in that the maximum piston displacement is less than 55 cc, or an electric motor rated between 751 watts and 2,000 watts. (Based on http://delcode.delaware.gov...e21/c001/index.shtml 33 and 78 ) Under those limits don't need anything else that a normal bike/trike needs. Top link above w/ 80cc engine any bike after install will class as Moped in most states.
[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 11-02-2017).]
I owned a couple of Whizzer motorbikes when I was a teenager. The engines were on heavy duty Schwin bicycles. At least they were four strokes, but no transmission so you were lugging the engine on start up and then over revving shortly later. I wish I had kept them. they're collectable now.
I had one too, they were once very common but couldn't compete with the imports.
New mopeds are not any better quality than one of these kits in my opinion. They are big, clunky heavy and made out of the same cheese metal, same quality control, and covered in plastic that has to be removed for any repair. A moped does not fit on my bike rack, I can take motorbike anywhere. If I kill it real good, a whole new engine bolts on quick for under $100. I've worked on many new chinese mopeds. I'll keep my motorbike. At least the frame I can trust. The only advantage to a moped is the ease of registration, and the aftermarket support of larger cc kits I still say, for the price just buy the dang thing set it up right and go have some fun, I weigh 165 and my top speed has been 39mph on flat land. That feels like 138. Go have some fun, you could spend more on an overpriced restaurant dinner. If you enjoy tinkering, 2 strokes, and bicycles it would be difficult not to smile on these. IDK where you live, but there are a few racing events around too for these. When the detroit thunderdrome race finally opens a class for them i'll be all in.
I pedal my bike on a designated bike/pedestrian/equestrian path every day between 12 and 20 miles. I do it for exercise, but I also enjoy it immensely. Whenever I see an adult on a motorized bike, I assume he is down and out.
I talked to a guy on an electric bike earlier this week who told me he rides back roads and the path to his regular meetings. Although I didn't ask, I figure he got a DUI and is attending required AA meetings.
Yeah, I know...judge not.... I wear the silly looking helmet to distinguish myself from the winos.
Originally posted by williegoat: Yeah, I know...judge not.... I wear the silly looking helmet to distinguish myself from the winos.
Spandex warrior?
There's something in the freedom I get out of riding something with two wheels. I ride my electric bike (scooter) for amusement. I ride my bicycle for the additional challenge of moving under my own power. And I ride my motorcycle, as much for the thrill of moving at some speed as for the challenge of my riding skills.
Motorized bicycle didn't have what any of those have. It's not my own power, but it's not thrilling power/speed. It's not smooth and quiet, quite the opposite.
And, OTOH, if I had no better means, and it wasn't illegal, I'd probably use one to do most of the work for getting me places that I had to be. At least for the long stretches. (Not that you can just pedal freely when the engine isn't running...there's a lot of added drive friction from having that sprocket hard-mounted to the rear wheel, making the chain move, and spinning the gear box, even with the clutch disengaged)
BTW, I always wear a helmet(you'd be an idiot not to, in a city) when riding any of the above, and no, I'm not on my way to any meetings.
BTW, I always wear a helmet(you'd be an idiot not to, in a city) when riding any of the above, and no, I'm not on my way to any meetings.
LMAO, Stubby....I've GOT a helmet...it sits on the top shelf of my closet collecting dust.
I kinda figgure if I am going to get creamed by 2 tons or better of moving steel, then the only ting a helmet is going to do for me is make sure the top 1/2 of my mellon gets burried intact. The rest will be pretty much road-smear.
E-bikes, its required by law to wear one...for all the good that will do against 2-tons or better of moving steel.
Oh hell no! Nobody wants to see that. That would fall under the same rule as I instruct everyone, if you ever see me wearing anything that says "Harley-Davidson" on it, I am to be shot on sight.
A few things to say: Spandex = Gay, deny it all you want, but it sets off EVERYONES gay-dar alot of states over 49cc is illegal, in NV over 20mph on a motorized bike is illegal. And for the helmet, if I wore one as a kid I would have been beaten up for it. I wear one on my 3-wheelers, but not on a frickin' bicycle. (3-wheelers do 70mph+)
And they did come out with mopeds with pedals to try to get around the bad cali laws.
"Riding a moped is like doing a fat chick, it may be fun, but you don't want your friends seeing you doing it."
Schwins used to be the caddy of bicycles but are a cheaply made rustbucket nowadays. Wife has one and anything chromed is almost solid rust already and it's never spent a day or night without a roof over it's head and we bought it new in May this year. Needed 2 new tubes in the first week...I was sitting on the front porch early one morning and heard a "Pooooffffffftt' and the thing had just blew out while it was sitting on the front porch.
My brother has an old Rollfast bicycle I'd like to have..he doesn't ride it anymore and it's sitting in his shop with two flat tires. They were pretty good bikes too.
schwin went broke in the USA years ago an offshore corprat bought the NAME THE ONLY THING THE SAME BETWEEN OLD SCHWINS AND THE NEW CHINA MADE BIKES IS THE NAME
THOSE MOTORS ARE MORE CHEAP CHINA JUNK sorry but substandard steel does not make strong parts kid two doors up has run thru [broken] 3 of them in the last 6 months
yes cheaper tyres will blow out from sun heat
------------------ Question wonder and be wierd are you kind?
Still debating on a new or used bike. Just for kicks I looked at 26" tire prices at Walmart, they were stupid expensive. If you're buying at Wal-Mart, after 2 tubes and tires you might as well have bought a new bike.
Still debating on a new or used bike. Just for kicks I looked at 26" tire prices at Walmart, they were stupid expensive. If you're buying at Wal-Mart, after 2 tubes and tires you might as well have bought a new bike.
If you get a new bike, don't get it from walmart. Like the chinese engine, it's a crap shoot of quality. If you must buy from walmart... Wait for a good sale, and inspect the bike and welds carefully, pick the good one in the bunch. Bring it home and make sure they assembled it correctly. But that goes for any assembled bike. I've been getting almost all my parts tubes tires etc from amazon. My tires were a good deal, kevlar lined, and were priced similar to the value line stuff at the bike shops.
I suggest buying a used bike. craigslist is a good place to start. Really nice steel bikes last a really long time. What is your current bike?
The tubes that failed on the Schwinn both failed just outside the area where the stem attaches to the rest of the tube. Replaced both with Goodyear tubes and have had no more flat tires.
[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 11-09-2017).]
)
Most are noisy to very noisy right from the start and get worse and often smokes a lot after cheap engines runs just a few hours.
