Deacon's Bike

**Bikeguy Joe** · #51 (**permalink**) 04-15-2008, 04:59 PM

Sounds like your carb is set way too rich, lean both screws out and try it.

I'd turn them both in until they stop, then back them both out a turn and a half.

deacon · #52 (**permalink**) 04-15-2008, 08:05 PM

Too late the engine is gone. I tore them both down and tossed them. The piston was covered with hard carbon deposits. Just in passing. I decided to drop the project and move on to a different system.

To be honest the purpose was to build a bike for retired people. That engine system would have been too much for them to start and keep operational. I'm going back to electric I think. I still want to build an inexpensive motor assisted bike for seniors. I'm rethinking electric motors.

deacon · #53 (**permalink**) 04-16-2008, 05:03 AM

I did the conversion to a 300 watt electric motor with friction drive last night. I got bored so I did it in a little over an hour anyway. For a while I'm going to use the trailer in my avatar to haul the two lawn tractor batteries around. It also makes the bike more stable without adding any weight. Unlike the three wheelers it doesn't have the tendency to tip over. I should have gone this route to begin with I think. Next I will build the right kind of trailer for it. One i can leave attached to the bike. It will have to be stored outside as it would for most seniors. I think a simple plastic cover should do it. The battery box comes inside for charging and safe keeping.

Anyway that is plan "G" plans A through F have failed already. Welcome to my world.

I warned you all that I was going to give a detailed description of this build. Of course you had, and I for that matter, had no idea how long it would be. If it gets to be too much information let me know.

**Bikeguy Joe** · #54 (**permalink**) 04-16-2008, 06:44 AM

You know you can go to any local furniture store and they will have covers that the couches and loveseat come in....most are covered with a big, heavy plastic bag, a lot of them being lined with a thin layer of closed cell foam.

They make GREAT bicycle/motorcycle motorized bicycle covers and are scratch free and water proof. If one were to fold under and tape the bottom edge with a piece of chain enclosed in the fold, they make REALLY GREAT outdoor covers.

deacon · #55 (**permalink**) 04-16-2008, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bikeguy Joe

You know you can go to any local furniture store and they will have covers that the couches and loveseat come in....most are covered with a big, heavy plastic bag, a lot of them being lined with a thin layer of closed cell foam.

They make GREAT bicycle/motorcycle motorized bicycle covers and are scratch free and water proof. If one were to fold under and tape the bottom edge with a piece of chain enclosed in the fold, they make REALLY GREAT outdoor covers.

Now that is a heck of an idea. It would be a good thing for the tip section to. Lots of us have more bikes than we have room and the chain think is an excellent idea for all this rusty bike chain i have laying about. Thanks joe.

motorbiker · #56 (**permalink**) 04-16-2008, 11:38 AM

Hey Deacon,

I am watching with much interest. My balance is not getting any better.

My electric kit is on the way so I am going electric.

When I road Moondog #3 around for a week everyone looked ! I bet a custom Corvette would not got as many thumbs up and waves as I did on that bike ! On a cool scale of 1 to 10 those bikes with the little 2 stroke motors are an 11 ! ! !

I bet that doesn't happen on the electric bike !

We'll see !

motorbiker

deacon · #57 (**permalink**) 04-16-2008, 12:35 PM

It doesn't I have ridden both.

I rode the electric today and I think it is amazing how slow it is now that I have ridden a gasoline bike. Still it does the trick gets me where I need to be but nothing more. I also rode the gasoline bike down to buy more gasoline.

The problem with the bike now is the batteries. I am pulling around a trailer with two lawn tractor batteries. That extra weight is really dragging the bike. Also the clown bike isn't doing well as an electric because the crank is too long. with the twenty inch wheel it hits the ground on turns. More problems. I have a shorter crank but it won't fit because the frame is from a 3speed and they crank is different. I think I'm going to junk the 3speed frame and find a nice old coaster frame to rebuild the bike. I have a 26" coaster frame but I want to keep it for my next build. It is an old huffy but massive. I need a really lightweight frame for the electric build I think.

I'm actually thinking a twenty inch kids bike and marry it to a 24" step through frame then go electric with the friction drive. Or just to electro a 24" step through coaster. Step through is easier to mount if you don't go with the 20" wheel. So for me at least it is a 20" for the gasoline because It needs the cross bar for the gas tank. And maybe the 24" step through for the electro. Now if I can find some inexpensive lightweight batteries I'm good to go.

So on to the next bike I think.

Oh one funny thing that happened today... I got pass by a guy just a few years younger than me on a straight pedal bike lol... He was flying.

deacon · #58 (**permalink**) 04-17-2008, 09:01 AM

I have decided to dump the frame from the 3speed. It was a terrible idea from the start. But in my state of mind you have to try everything to learn.

I am beginning the search for the new bike. Here is the build plan in case anyone is interested. It might change as I go along

frame 24" or 26" inch step through.
front wheel stock 24" or 26" inch.
chain ring from the 27" three speed.
crank set from a twenty inch bike.
20" rear wheel.
300 watt brushed electric motor with friction drive.
batteries will be sla on a rack above the twenty inch wheel.
simple on off switch

The battery rack did not work on the 3speed because it was too high making the bike extremely top heavy. the custom rack I plan to build from pvc 3/4" pipe will be much lower over the 20" wheel and should give the bike good balance, as it will be below the heavies element of the bike ME

the down side to fiction drive is the bike has to run primarily on the batter power because of the drag from the engine. The human power comes into play on the hills. For that the larger chain ring and short throw pedals should work pretty well. The assist motor really ends the need for low gear ratios. The idea will be to give the most assist possible for as short a time as possible. Please point out any error in thinking here as it will save me having to rebuild if I am wrong.

deacon · #59 (**permalink**) 04-17-2008, 11:25 AM

I went by the auto parts store while i was out this morning. I ordered a motor mount insert to use as a drive wheel. since they didn't have any in stock I have no idea what it will look like or if it will work at all.

deacon · #60 (**permalink**) 04-17-2008, 06:12 PM

The motor mount was the wrong thing so I'm back to looking for a good thing to use as a drive wheel. I'm going to do a little spirmentin' to see what I can come up with.