Friday, July 31, 2009
Welcome to Motored bicycles. The intent of this document is to simplify and help the new MB (Motor Bike) Builder and dispel some common misconceptions. It will only discuss what is “in the box” Few if any modifications will be mentioned. 2 Stroke Bicycle to moped conversion kits from China are often called “China Girl” Or “Happy Time” These are generic nick names and interchangeable. Stock, unmodified kits generally get about 100 to 130 MPG. They cruse at around 22 MPH on a bicycle with 26” wheels and an average sized rider on flat roads. Top speed is around 30 MPH. Many folks claim much better numbers but this is what I have found to be true from personal experience. Many suppliers ads will say that you can install a kit in about 4 hours. Ignore this. It is all but impossible and takes the fun out of it. Give your self a weekend or a bit of time over a few days. Most especially if this is your first build. It is a great joy putting your motorized bicycle together. Rushing it will only serve to frustrate you and leave you with a hurried work. Take your time and enjoy creating your new baby.
Choosing a bicycle. Often over looked, this part of your build is of great importance! It is the very foundation of your build. For builders on a tight budget, the bike you have may be the best one to build with but used bikes need to be “tuned-up” to be safe and enjoyable. If you have an internet connection, there are thousands of tutorials. http://bicycletutor.com/tune-up/ Is a good one and there are many more! A Google search turned up 1,420,000 results. There is always the good old library to borrow books from. If you are worried about your mechanical skills, don’t be. If you have none, you soon will! Not to mention the joy of confidence in your skills and work. Take your time and enjoy this! MBs will give you a great deal more then a ride. A steel frame is preferable over aluminum. Your new engine will fit better. I have many 1,000’s of miles on aluminum MBs (Motor Bikes) and have never had a problem with frames cracking. The kits just fit better on the thinner steel tubes. With aluminum, you may need a “large frame adapter” Not at all a problem, just an added expense or fabrication.
**In choosing a dept store or bike shop or any bicycle, you need 8 inches between the “seat tube” and the “down tube” and from there measuring up to the top tube, 14”**
Think of it like an upside down “T” 8”X14”
(Wal-Mart Schwinn aluminum Point Beach with generic 80cc (67cc) 2 stroke engine from “Boy Go Fast” “ChinaGirl” or “happy time”) (It is important to remove or reinforce the fenders on Point Beaches! It is not when they will fail, but how soon!!!)
(bicycle diagram from http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8a/Bicycle_diagram-en.svg )
Old 1940’s, 50s and 60’s steel frames can some times be found at yard sales, thrift stores and on craigslist to name a few. They make for beautiful builds and MBs! One thing to consider and will be covered later is that you need good brakes front and back. With the added speed, coaster brakes are not your best option. Alone, with no front brakes they are an accident waiting to hapThis is not a "no good deed goes unpunished" sort of deal, just a hurdle. But I am always surprised. This is not a "no good deed goes unpunished" sort of deal, just a hurdle. But I am always surprised. This is not a "no good deed goes unpunished" sort of deal, just a hurdle. But I am always surprised.pen. As you are the Chief engineer and producer of your Motorized Bicycle, you are responsible for the end consumer’s safety. (that would be you) Car drivers will very often mistake you for a bicyclist riding around 10 MPH when you are doing 30. They will pull out in front of you, swing open doors and pass you on the left only to turn right. You need good brakes! It is not that they are unkind or uncaring. They only saw a bike and assumed. A DOT or Motorcycle helmet does a lot to help this. It seems to be subtle cue that you are in fact on some thing going faster then a bike.
A helmet protects you. Tells other drivers you are going faster then a bicycle. Makes for a better ride as you feel and are safer. Your family and friends need you, where a helmet. Install good brakes.
In choosing a bicycle to motorize, I only know of one review but is only online; http://motorbicycling.com/f31/bicycle-review-6916.html Some great information there. Also when considering a bicycle, is good to ask some one who has built with the same bicycle. What they like and what they don’t.
Try to get the center pull design brake calipers [if going this rought] . Or drum brakes , coaster brakes. The older side pull brake calipers just don't work that well .The best brakes are the newer disk versions and there are available in after market kits for these. With the disk set up the larger the disk the better the stopping power. http://www.chainganglowrider.com/Part%20-%20Brakes.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_brake_systems
Saturday, July 25, 2009
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