motorized bikes?

[Guest]

Hiya all....

Anyone put together a motorized bicycle? I got a deal on a cheapy chinese motor kit, going to bolt it on to an old trek mtb.....maybe add a banana seat so I can go 2-up, lulz.... Will add pics/info as available!

Greg

 

[dorkburger]

I saw one at a warehouse I work at. It looked cool.
I'll be following your "build"

 

[Burque73]

No but I had a wind powered bike. We rigged a sail on it with a bed sheet. Don't do that, it ended badly.

Have fun!

 

[robertbarr]

Like a lot of folks, probably, I built numerous small engine-powered bicycles as a kid. Usually, tiller (or old upright mower) engines -- it takes a horizontal shaft. Very police-unfriendly, but a lot of fun. A little primitive, maybe, but we were on a budget.

 

[cowboyup3371]

I thought Pete was working on an old Cuciolo (spelling?) a few years back but I don't know how far he got with it. Hopefully he'll log in again soon and see this thread


Yea, here it is and I was close on the spelling - should have been Cucciolo

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?193879-Ducati-Cucciolo&highlight=cucciolo


I wonder how far he really got with it.

 

[Guest]

Lately I've become fascinated with motorized bikes of all shapes and formats. I think hub bikes are the future. So simple.
Yes, the electric motor is in the hub.



Paul Jones
www.gofastinnovations.com

 

[dorkburger]

The motor in hub is definitely interesting...... and stealthy, if thats needed.
Some HVAC equipment I work on has moved to motor / blower units with an integral hub mounted motor.

 

[Guest]

I think electric is for sure the way of the future, in this application at least, and probably across the board. Love that pic Robert, BADASS, as they say.....
I followed that cucciolo thread, very cool. I have been wanting a tiny displacement scoot for a while now, beer grabber kinda thing. These little chinese jobs have mixed reviews, but it seems most of the negative stuff is people not knowing what they are doing/having too high of expectations for what it is.

 

[Guest]

The Cucciolo got sold to fund my dream bike project... the Kat.

It's gone to a fella who's wanted one for years so it's much better off there as he will actually get it done, I just couldn't get motivated to build something that I'd never really get to ride.

With regards to motorised bicycles... over here if it has a petrol motor, it has to be registered and meet all the legal requirements for road use (no way would it do that) or if it's electric, it has to be below a certain power output to be able to use it legally.

 

[BurntKittyForge]

I've Been interested in/ studied some (various) motorized bicycles for a long time.
Including the kit mentioned in OP. Unfortunately in state of VA, growing up the definition of "moped" was "A bicycle with a helper motor" ...Growing up , the ONLY "mopeds" actually legal were the ones that could pedal like a bicycle. Then folks started riding "mopeds" without pedals despite legality.
Lately the definition of "moped" changed to 50cc or less , WITH a VIN, and since 2014 (or 2013) it's necessary to obtain "Moped" license plate as well. Since it's still new, it's still easy to file a form and obtain a "moped title" (for lost/ misplaced/ non-present).
Interesting thing, now scooters are "mopeds" (weren;t before) and bicycles with a helper motor is considered a new term... to obtain a title for one requires $1000 + application and few months wait for inspection as a "specially constructed vehicle" then a VIN is given and title...Basically since the Gov't can change definition of words, they can do anything they want. For example "No" could mean "affirmative" and "Yes" could become defined "Negative" etc. and ANYTHING would hold up in a court of law based on the "Moped example" In VA anyway....(I'm moving to NC and it's one of most "laid back" states for moped scooty things so in future hopefully...)

anyway, been seeing a new type electric motor for bikes like this:

I think these are adjustable so whatever pedal pressure is combined/ adjustable(?) It's like an electric helper. There are atleast a few versions from China available currently too.

Might have to dig up my old browser favorites but someplace I had a link on a bicycle with a jackshaft, 49/50cc bike motor and used the original seven gears.
The maker wrote that it acheived an incredible around 55 MPH top speed because of the efficiency of the gears! (There actually is a law in NC banning multiple gears/gearboxes though I noticed someplace).
Found a vid similar (to link I've been looking for):

Looks very similar to the jack-shaft version, same model bicycle. Interesting gear use.

 

[Guest]

I'm fascinated by electric hub motor bikes but have some questions someone with some knowledge might be able to answer.

Is it direct drive or is there a transmission? Gears?

What kind of electronics do you need?

Are friction brakes enough?

Can you modify motor?

Does frame and wheels have to be a certain size?

Can you just lace the hub motor to any wheel?

 

[Dogma]

I'll be keeping an eye on this too. I was recently looking into this sort of thing myself.

 

[Guest]

Well, I have the motor, and, as expected, it is truly a work of art.......pretty rough overall, a few from-the-factory stripped or mis-tapped/threaded screws/bolts, generally cheap overall feel. Not unexpected, I paid less than a hundo brand new, and any search shows that quality is mixed on these little guys. No big deal.

I am working on the bike this will mount to, assembling a complete bike from parts laying around the shop at work. The frame is a trek 870 MTB, steel. Mixed components.

Will update as progress warrants. Dale, if i get it together and it actually runs (questionable....) I will bring it as a pit bike in august....

As for the electric kits, lots o' info on the nets. The cost on the kits kept me from pursuing the electric option, they start at about 200 (it seems) without batteries. I was looking for a low/no cost little project to irritate my wife with....and this will for sure fit the bill!

 

[Dogma]

Pit bike... I had the exact same purpose in mind. That and a certain grinder of a hill I haven't tried to climb since we moved a little farther from it (and I got a motorcycle). Come to think of it, an electric bike would come in handy for the track walk too.

I see a lot of talk on the Interwebs about scavenging cells from eBay laptop batteries, but welding the tabs is another challenge. I think AvE has cheap a solution for that in one of his videos, if you dare. Do you have a plan forming for a power source? I saw somebody do an electric conversion powered by about 6 cordless drill packs.

 

[BurntKittyForge]

I'm fascinated by electric hub motor bikes but have some questions someone with some knowledge might be able to answer.

Is it direct drive or is there a transmission? Gears?

What kind of electronics do you need?

Are friction brakes enough?

Can you modify motor?

Does frame and wheels have to be a certain size?

Can you just lace the hub motor to any wheel?

-They're direct drive.
The RPM of the motor is practical for wheel RPM, so a larger diameter wheel is like higher gear (more "top-end"), smaller diameter wheel would be like lower geared (more toque, lower top speed).

-the kits without rim mounted tend to have spoke holes, but specific length spokes are needed since the spokes mount to the motor case looks like.
Most I've looked at appear to be width for standard mountain bike width rims.

One advantage of the gearless hub is one can be used for each wheel.
The electronics vary, (Used for speed control, throttle basically) there are components that can "fry" from modifying the output. and of course higher priced controller modules that won't fry.
Many include a "governor" that limits the speed usually to some anemic level like 17MPH (ok for bicycle speed however), there are many mods for it.

Without a controller the motor is either "on" (full) or "off" the contact needs to be fairly stout metal since that method is "zappy"...

I'm no means up to speed on latest and particulars of electric bikes.
The BEST info (and some cool projects) on them I found in "Bike, Scooter and Chopper projects for the Evil Genius: Brad Graham, Kathy McGowan"
(!@#$ I'm on a macBook and borrowed internet, awesome computer but dunno how to use it like the Dell...yet LOL)
Well that book is on Amazon new from around $22 or used from about $12. I got one from local library once.
It has all the basics about every component basically. one project , author used the controller from a golf cart for his electric mini-bike (does burn-outs) and a long range electric bike with affordable batteries etc. ( require welding, but author used a "cheap arc-welder").
Highly recommend the book.

Also, think the top end brushless hub motors are "E-tech" something like that , can be modded to very high speed/power outputs I'll try check later for correct brand/linky...
In VA anyway, 1000 watt or less electric there's no regulations on last I checked. Never seen a cop w/ a multimeter/motor tester though(?) Not supposed to ride on bicycle trails though ...yeah dur....

 

[prichmon]

I have built a few motorized bikes. 2 friction drive with rollers, 2 Golden eagle bike engine kits and a hub motor kit. The easiest is by far the friction drives. I still have 2 complete friction drives and 1 GEBE kit if anyone is interested.


Rich

 

[850 Combat]

I built a kit from E Bay, I think I paid $160 for two. I added a "Sick Bike Parts" jackshaft kit that converted it to a 7 speed through the stock chain. The kit makes it really hard to start, because of the way its geared, and because you can't use momentum to help. I put on a pull start, but the crank arms hit it. There have been offset crank arms for sale, but out of stock now. I wish I would have installed it in the normal way, without the shift kit. The gearing is too tall anyway.

I ride my (non motorized) bike on the local beach bike paths when I visit CA. The numbers of electric bikes is huge, and growing. Probable approaching 5% on the path between Sunste Beach and the Santa Ana River in Newport Beach. Most of the riders on them pedal slowly while they speed along.

 

[Buffalo Bill]

Electric bikes such as made by Trek, I thought these were only for senior ladies and their duffer husbands?
“Fly up hills. Scoff at the wind. Haul a heavy load. Take the long way home. And do it all without breaking a sweat, thanks to the smooth, exhilarating power of electric assist.”
Sorry I still think so, but will include all lazy people in my opinion.
What's the point of riding a bike?

 

[BurntKittyForge]

https://www.electricbike.com/etek/ Yikes! somehow I figured out how to copy/paste with my macbook...
Went something like right click/left click control button, move/ drag something ...
I was wrong about E tek being hub less/brushless, quite the opposite , IS the "performance" "way to go" though, noticed.

Just checked out "sick bike parts" mentioned by 850 Combat (THANKS!) , Maybe the same guy who made the original project looks like. Looks like the way to go for maximum performance for the chinese bicycle kits.

Electric bikes such as made by Trek, I thought these were only for senior ladies and their duffer husbands?
“Fly up hills. Scoff at the wind. Haul a heavy load. Take the long way home. And do it all without breaking a sweat, thanks to the smooth, exhilarating power of electric assist.”
Sorry I still think so, but will include all lazy people in my opinion.
What's the point of riding a bike?

I see your point, sort of like airguns are still just red rider bb guns, even these days regardless of upgrades or cost.
It's just something about maximum efficiency and pushing the envelope, finding a loophole (course in a day or so with the stroke of a pen some politico law doggies can zap those instantly with great ease...)

It's about transportation with maximum efficiency, least hassle and overcomplicating...the bicycle is the MOST efficient form of transportation (I've read someplace), as well as great exercise, But it's sort of about pushing it to longer range (?maybe) ...the thought of minimal fuel,plugging into solar or similar for minimal cost with minimal to no legal hassle taxation for useful transportation , maybe that's the appeal , for myself anyway.
The minimal weight of the vehicle for ease of transport too, dunno. Maybe it's about overcoming restrictions of childhood fantasies which are no longer a limitation. Hmmm...I accomplish tasks sometimes that would've blown my teenage mind , and it becomes everyday ordinary, " meh" LOL...

EDIT: ( I'm headed off right now to drive over hour to VA , to DMV to get tags for my "New" mercedes, and wait couple hours in the stinky place. Then I'll later take it for a "rejection" sticker on way back in couple days, to NC where it needs no inspection sticker, cause it's an '82. BUT if i switch DL to NC I'll have to switch insurance and wifey's will go up. then I'd have to switch all the plates and pay some more $$$$$ for nothing. so for now it's the best route. Then I'll drive it back to VA for a passing sticker, to drive back again...and so on)