bicycle engine kits

[john940]

saw one of these in action last weekend while out for a walk and it looked like a fun project. gas motor mounted on a bicycle using 2 stroke mix and 50 - 80 cc size. does not use much fuel and gets you where you need to go fast and cheap:

http://www.gasbike.net/

i used to run a 2 stroke bike on the race track and it was fun and quick and maintenance was easy as long as you had some spare parts around. we ran the bikes hard though so i would figure one of these kits would be lower maintenance.

[roughrider504]

My 66cc sips gas like nothing else. The key to a reliable motorbike is taking time to do the install correctly the first time, it'll save a lot of headaches and time later on.

Although they can be reliable, I'll admit if you don't have an interest in mechanics on a hobby level, you might not like it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRkjPxTVMwE (External Embedding Disabled)

[Chip Haynes]

Do keep in mind that adding a gas engine to a bicycle may make it illegal to ride on the road where you live, and most ceertianly illegal to ride on the sidewalk or bike trail.

[Fubard]

You're probably better off going electric. No gas, fewer moving parts to break on you, damn near silent. I've had my eye on this system:

http://www.bionx.ca/

...but that's a pretty high-end one. You can get cheaper versions that are quite functional.

Of course, electrics will likely land you in the same sort of trouble with asshatted government restrictions that the gas versions will. Definitely check up on what either motor option would mean in terms of the unwanted attentions of your local brownshirts.

[Chip Haynes]

So the guy that lives down the street got one of those cheap little electric scooters and ran it all over. Said it only cost him an extra $20 a month on his power bill to keep charged. (That seemed really high to me.) Then it broke and he couldn't get it fixed anywhere. Junk.

Stick with a regular human-powered bicycle and pocket the change.

 

[vision-master]

Stokemonkey human electric hybrid drive

http://cleverchimp.com/products/stokemonkey/

[Chip Haynes]

So, let's see... a Stokermonkey with batteries adds 31 pounds to the bicycle, and the combination of motor and batteries costs $1668.

Now let's say you spent just $332 on the bicycle you planned to use. (That's VERY reasonable for any bicycle being put to regular use.)

For the combined cost, $2000, you can get a Very Nice Bicycle, it will weigh less than half what this rig does, require less maintenance, not screw up your monthly power bill and keep you fit and tirm.

Looking for a btter Plan B?

Here ya go:

http://antbikemike.com/

You're welcome.

 

[vision-master]

So, let's see... a Stokermonkey with batteries adds 31 pounds to the bicycle, and the combination of motor and batteries costs $1668.

Now let's say you spent just $332 on the bicycle you planned to use. (That's VERY reasonable for any bicycle being put to regular use.)

For the combined cost, $2000, you can get a Very Nice Bicycle, it will weigh less than half what this rig does, require less maintenance, not screw up your monthly power bill and keep you fit and tirm.

But this thing will carry you and 200 lbs 50 miles and up the steepest hills. It's a cargo bike.

[Chip Haynes]

Been there, done that- without the motor.

[vision-master]

Wait till you get old. 

[Chip Haynes]

I'm 58 and sport a pacemaker- how much longer do you want me to wait?

[Xenopus]

I'm 58 and sport a pacemaker- how much longer do you want me to wait?

It's no good arguing with Chip. He always has a cheery riposte. 

But, Chip, you live in a pretty pancake-like part of the world. In San Francisco, the aged and not-so-aged really like their battery-assisted bicycles. AND, hub tells me that Best Buy says it is going to start stocking electric bicycles, which would be mainstreaming the whole idea and no mistake.

[Chip Haynes]

Yeah, I have to admit: It's not so mountainous here. I read once, years ago, that the trick in hilly places like San Fran was to find everything you needed at your own elevation; that is, avoid having to climb or decend whenever possible. Not having ever been there, I've no idea how practical that advice might be.

Does it work?

[Xenopus]

I'd say practical's the problem. Chances of work, library, grocery, clothing, liquor store, etc. all being at the same elevation as your house is pretty remote.

[Chip Haynes]

Yeah, you're probably right, Xenopus. Even in a big city, it's tough to get everything you want right there close- let alone at the same (or reasonably close) elevation.

I'm no fan of powored bikes, but I have to admit, in San Fran, they might not be such a bad idea.

And I can't believe I just said that.