Learn About Building A Motorized Bicycle
Tired of paying high gas prices?
The answer may be the Motorized Bicycle.
As far back as 1892 people put motors on bicycles.
With today's 2 stroke and 4 stroke engines you can Expect to get 150 miles per gallon after the initial break in period.
The normal bicycle fuel tank holds 1/2 gallon of gas allowing approx 75 miles per tank full.
Are these engines dependable?
You can expect to get thousands of miles of life out of your engine if you follow a few guidelines:
1. Follow the break in period guidelines - Break in period lasts for the first 4 tanks or 2 gallons of gas.
2. Keep up with routine maintenance on your motorized bike.
3. Don't ride at full throttle often.
4. Use a good quality motorcycle synthetic 2 stroke oil - Mix at a 20:1 ratio or 7oz of oil per 1 gallon of gas.
Decisions you might face.
There are many decisions you will have to make about motorized bicycling.
Do you have a bicycle? If you do, the type of drive that will best suit your current bicycle. Frame mount or rack mount.
Perhaps you do not have a bicycle. You need to decide if you want to buy a completed bicycle/engine combination or purchase a specific style of bicycle and add your own engine to it.
What follows is to help you better understand your options. The advantages and disadvantages of each system and how to get the most enjoyment out of building a motorized bicycle.
Building My Dream Motorized Bicycle
Building my Motorized Bicycle in words and pictures.
I purchased a Micargi Tahiti Bicycle for my dream ride.
You can choose a style that fits your dream.
Here is the Bicycle I chose to begin with.
Micargi Tahiti Stock Beginnings
Add Motor - Engine of Choice
I got my engine from Bob at Blue Collar Bikes. I have been extremely happy with delivery and follow up from Bob and will do business with him again.
The engine kit comes with everything pictured below and everything you need for a quick, easy installation.
Engine of Choice
My Dream as a Finished Product
From the humble beginning using a Micargi Tahiti bicycle and adding the motor from Blue Collar Bikes, I have now created my own "Motorized Bicycle."
I changed a couple of the stock items that came with the micargi... Seat and handle bars
I also added a cantilever front brake to the Bicycle. This model bike does not come with a front brake, if you need to stop quickly a front break is gold.
On the engine I added some paint and replaced the mounting studs with allthread 1/4x20 for a little added strength.
Beyond this I decided not to make any changes or additions to the engine as it comes from the factory. I mainly made this decision to test the dependablity as well as get in a little riding time before the rainy season hits.
This winter I will be taking the bike back down and making changes and some customization to the bikes appearance. For now, I am thrilled with the results.
____________________________________________________
Below are three pictures of my project to date
ENGINE CLOSE UP
COMPLETED RIGHT
COMPLETED LEFT
My Motorized Bicycle Review
I have yet to go any place on this bike without people asking me questions and commenting on it. No only the uniqueness of the engine added but the over all look of the bicycle as well.
A half dozen of my friends have also ridden this motorized bicycle and I get the feeling that come spring I will have a good amount of companions zipping around the area with me.
Best information about Motorized Bicycles
- Motored Bikes Forum
- Motorized Bicycles: Pictures, videos, articles, where to buy, technical help, legal issues, repairs, rides and more!
- Bicycle Motor Forum
- Motorized bicycle discussion forum. Our topics cover everything from motorized bicycle engine kits, repairs, building and performance for your motorized bicycle. Motorized Bicycle manuals for performance and modification of gas and electric bicycle motors.
- Installation Instructions Bicycle Engine
- How to install bicycle engine, grubee installation instructions, How to motorize your bicycle, 4-stroke install,
- Free advice on how to fix your bicycle
- If you ride a Bicycle or a Motorized Bicycle, you will find some great maintenance help. This site has been a great help to me on a number of occasions.
1914 Pope Board Track Racer
Board Track Racer Build
Early stages of build on the drawing board
Mean while I have a new project on my drawing board. I want to build a Board Track Racer Style motored bicycle.
Above is a picture of a 1914 pope board track racer and that is the look I am going for. Below there is a picture of a Workman Bicycle that I will be using for the basis of my build.
If you notice the frames are very similar in style
I will need to construct a fuel tank that will fit between the top and bottom cross bars.
I will also need to decide if I want to build another China Girl 2 stroke or go with a 4 stroke Japanese engine this time. There is still plenty of time to decide.
I know that I will not use the sandwich sprocket on this one so the rear hub sprocket is another area that I will be looking into.
That is about where I am at this point and this winter while the rain and snow fall and the wind blows. I can be found sitting by the fire dreaming of my Board Track Racer build
Workman Industrial Bicycle
Message Board and Guest Book
This is your place to share ideas and experiences. We would love to hear from you.
Tipi wrote...
Thank you for sharing this information and great pictures, review, etc.
Very helpful resource to help people save more on gas costs.
Good on you! Blessed by a Squid Angel today.
Best wishes to you,
Susie
Posted November 04, 2009
Aika wrote...
wow it's hardcore! :) I only know American Choppers for customizing bikes :) yours is remarkable!
Posted October 15, 2009
brant wrote
i want in on this
Posted September 22, 2009
beachbum_gabby wrote...
Wow that's really cool.. I have a friend who customized his father's bike into a machine gun.. lolz pretty hardcore though
Posted September 15, 2009
rex09 wrote
how long do these 80cc motors last
Posted May 21, 2009
rex09 wrote
how long do these 80cc motors last
Posted May 21, 2009
Engineer wrote
Although whe had some difficulty with: installing the rear sprocket, cutting the chain to the correct length, the chain tensioner, figuring out how to wire the kill button, and modifying the engine mount, the total installation time was about 7 hours. To do it a second time would only take half of that. Finished we had a lot of fun with the bike.
engineer
Posted April 11, 2009
FreaksOnBikesVarietyStore wrote...
Great Lens ... Please consider joining our group All Things Bicycling here on Squidoo
http://www.squidoo.com/groups/AllThingsBicycling
Posted April 10, 2009
RobertSeviour wrote...
I built one of these bikes with my son. It took us about 7 hours to install the engine, the only difficult part was figuring out the right way to install the large sprocket on the back wheel. When finished we had a lot of fun with it and it performed really well.
Robert
sneaky ways to get cheap flights
Posted March 06, 2009
Douglas wrote
I put a 80cc on a huffy mongoose paver 28in. wheels, and a small v frame. Finally got it in and running but I am having trouble with the chain rubbing the seat stay and ideas
Posted February 20, 2009
wannagofast wrote
i ordered a 2 stroke engine from gasbikes.com and I live on a dirt road. should i get a mountain bike or a beach cruizer
Posted January 19, 2009
DMedley wrote...
in reply to mreading I have a single speed. The dust cover is a small cover over the wheel bearings, its located just under the break arm. It comes as part of the wheel assembly.
Posted November 10, 2008
mreading wrote
in reply to DMedley Thanks. Do you have a 3-speed? Because I have just a single speed and mine doesn't have a dust cover. Or does the dust cover come with the kit?
Posted November 10, 2008
velardejose wrote
Hi
I discovered a way to save gas, reduce ambient pollution, tinker with basic mechanics and don't get mad after driving in rush hours
My motorbicycle
I recommend it
Jose
Posted November 04, 2008
Poll: do you prefer
Comparing 2 stroke and 4 Stroke Bicycle Engines
Do you prefer the 2 stroke engines or 4 stroke on your bikes and why do you prefer them?
Here is your opportunity to make your voice, your opinion and your experience heard.
Do You Prefer 2 stroke or 4 stroke engines?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand by2 stroke
issac says:
i got a 20cc engine and i up graded it so it is 40cc and tomarro im putting it on my bike i want it ti go atleast 40mph
Posted May 09, 2009
cosmo says:
with at least 8 to 1 compression 32 to 36cc
Posted December 20, 2008
Jeaniemae says:
I'm not sure what I would choose between the two, but interesting lens.
Posted November 30, 2008
Jemma says:
2 Stroke every time. For power from a small engine, tunability and reliability you cant beat a two stroke. Mine is a belt drive and makes 34mph top speed from a 32cc piped engine.
Posted September 17, 2008
Jemma says:
For the application - ie power from limited space and cc's and simplicity of maintainence (with a good quality engine) 2-strokes win hands down. You wont find a 30cc 4-stroke engine putting out up to 4hp! And you can put a tuned pipe on for even more power.
My MB is 32cc piped 2 stroke and will make a top speed of 34mph
Posted September 17, 2008
DMedley says:
It really depends on your needs and your skills. I began with a 2 stroke engine for simplicity, learning and it fit the style of ride I wanted to create. So for the mechanically inclined beginner, I believe the 2 stroke is the best.
Posted August 03, 2008
4 stroke
AndrewTwidwell says:
4 stroke engines are so much more efficient and a whole lot better for air quality.
Posted July 22, 2009
rex09 says:
ive got a 1994 xr250r and a 1987rm125 i would rather the big xr
Posted May 21, 2009
rex09 says:
to much work on 2stroke id rather 4
Posted May 21, 2009
terry says:
whizzer motor is best.
Posted January 28, 2009
jimmy says:
i prefer 4 stroke cause thats all ive ever had but im sure 2 stroke are just as good
Posted December 16, 2008
Bill says:
Hua Sheng 49cc
Posted August 18, 2008
Useful Video's about Motorized Bicycles
Completed Motorized Bicycle from Spooky Tooth
CafePress Presents
Here is where you can wear you love on your chest.
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Born to ride, forced to work. White T-Shirt
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Bike, Bike, Funny Bike Stunts Kids T-Shirt
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Cafe Racer Dark T-Shirt
Price: 23.99
Cafe Racer bike Ringer T
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Unlimited Hobby Potential
Building Custom cars, restoring cars, building or restoring Motorcycles has become an extremely expensive hobby. Enter the Motorized Bicycle.
If you just want to build a simple vehicle using a bicycle you currently own - your good to go.
If you like to do light customization - your good to go.
If you love to build from the ground up and do full customizations - you are good to go.
There are no limits to what you can do with a bicycle frame and motor combination.
For Your Viewing Enjoyment
Grab Some Popcorn - Sit back and Relax - Watch the Wheels Spin
Articles of Interest about Motorized Bicyle
Here are some great articles about Motorized Bicycles. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
Riquimbilis: The Cuban Motorized Bike
Man's fascination of the bicycle and a thirst to m more...0 points
Anodizing Aluminium at home
Do you have some bicycle parts you would love to a more...0 points
Route 79 Arizona: The Springtime Ride
Springtime ride through the desert on a motorized more...0 points
Motorized Bicycle Revolution
liberation from the cost of fuel0 points
Bike Motor Parts
a mounting kit to convert your bicycle into an aut more...0 points
Bicycle Tutor
If you ride them - They will break
Here are some great guides to help you repair your bicycle.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byQuick Search Index
- Building My Dream Motorized Bicycle
- Micargi Tahiti Stock Beginnings
- Add Motor - Engine of Choice
- Engine of Choice
- My Dream as a Finished Product
- ENGINE CLOSE UP
- COMPLETED RIGHT
- COMPLETED LEFT
- My Motorized Bicycle Review
- Best information about Motorized Bicycles
- 1914 Pope Board Track Racer
- Board Track Racer Build
- Workman Industrial Bicycle
- Message Board and Guest Book
- Poll: do you prefer
- Useful Video's about Motorized Bicycles
- Completed Motorized Bicycle from Spooky Tooth
- CafePress Presents
- Unlimited Hobby Potential
- For Your Viewing Enjoyment
- Articles of Interest about Motorized Bicyle
- Kick Starter
- Bicycle Tutor
- Creative Commons
Creative Commons
Motorized Bicycles by DMedley is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
by DMedley
I was born in the mountains of Oregon in the middle of the 20th century. As a young man living in a world that had little of the physical distraction... (more)
