Harbor Freight Greyhound 79cc engine

mechanickid · #11 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 10:26 AM

hahahaha!! "ask if they can ride" thats so awesome!!

KilroyCD · #12 (**permalink**) 10-06-2009, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverbear

Hey Jim,
Thanks for posting this. I'll be anxious to read updates. Given how inexpensive the greyhound engine is, what is your impression of it's quality? Does it run smoothly, apart from the mounting issues of the moment? Anyone? How about the fellow from Massachusetts... what is his experience? Or is it too soon to tell from anyone? What about parts and such for the Greyhound?
How does it feel to be a pioneer? A year from now there may be many such posts on greyhound engines, modifications, upgrade parts, alternative carbs, etc. What about the engine mount setup? What does it look like? Is there any chance you EZmatic folks would be producing them for the rest of us? This is pretty interesting, my friend! This may give us a real and affordable alternative to the HT 2 stroke. The search will be on for donor bikes...
Silverbear

Silverbear, as far as the quality is concerned, only time will tell. It looks like it's decently made, but our initial problem with the magneto raises some doubts about build quality. It runs smoothly, just as smooth as the 49cc Honda or Hua Sheng engines. It just runs at a lower RPM than the HS, which is happy at 7500RPM. The Greyhound seems to be happier and have more grunt in the 4000-4500RPM range.
Ray (from Massachusetts) found that the small muffler he fitted to the end of the flex pipe robbed the engine of too much power. He ended up fitting the Whizzer-style "fishtail" like ours to the end of his flex pipe, and his bike's performance picked up. The engine mount set up is detailed in this thread: My heavy duty 4 stroke engine mount.
I doubt that EZM will be producing those mounts, at least for now. It's because the 79cc Greyhound isn't one of the engines EZMotorbikes is offering in kit form. However, Jim might be able to get the same Amish fabrication shop to crank out another mount like ours (the revised version). EZ is planning on putting the Q-Matic drive into production very soon, and those will be available by them selves for those looking to experiment with alternative engines.

RusticoRay · #13 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 07:55 PM

I just found this thread and thought I would add a little bit. The Harbor Freight 99.00 engine is good for torgue, climbing and price of course. When I decided to go with it my objective was to cruise at 30mph and not work the motor hard. The motor will drag weight around and get somewhere around 30 mph at full throttle and my 165lbs on flat ground. It will however climb hills, my town has a steep hill that runners train on and with a little head start it climbed up with a little strain. Maybe 50degree for an 1/8 of a mile with one flat spot in the middle. The mounting is tricky and of course to go in frame the tank and exhaust has got to go. I also heated and offset the pedals. I rode Quentans prototype in Delaware and was really surprised at the speed of the Haung Sheng 49cc. I liked it alot. I came back and decided to mount the 49cc in place of the Harbor Freight which gives me a cruising speed of 30 mph and the motor is in the mid range with more to go have to break motor in. It was what I was looking to do so it stays for now. I have about 20 miles on since the switch and I have to add a front drum brake instead of the pinchers. Also want to put a creative enginnering adapter and sprocket on over the winter. Whats on there now a squish sprocket for me has to go.
First two 79cc Harbor Freight, Second two 49cc Hauge Sheng.

KilroyCD · #14 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 08:54 PM

Ray, it's good to see you here on this forum as well. Welcome aboard! Jim and I plan to stay with the Greyhound on this bike because of the hills (coupled with our oversized carcasses), but secondly because we have an adjustable pulley on the front which at the smallest setting is giving us a little higher top speed. However, it probably won't quite top out as high as the rev-happy Hua Sheng 49cc.

tyrslider · #15 (**permalink**) 10-17-2009, 12:04 PM

Got a link on that motor? I couldn't find less than 6.5 hp at Harbor Freight.

azbill · #16 (**permalink**) 10-17-2009, 12:23 PM

- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

tyrslider · #17 (**permalink**) 10-17-2009, 12:28 PM

Thanks azbill!

azbill · #18 (**permalink**) 10-17-2009, 02:15 PM

all good dude

(had it saved !)

KilroyCD · #19 (**permalink**) 10-17-2009, 11:00 PM

Update:
Jim just put on a larger front pulley (actually an adjustable pulley), so we should see an improvement in top speed as well as quicker take up by the clutch. We have also put an oversized Worksman saddle on it (the thing's a couch!) for added comfort, as well as set back seat post. The larger saddle may also offer some increased protection from the exhaust pipe. Also to address the scorched inside leg issue, he has applied some muffler wrap to the pipe to help in that regard. More mods are to come.

bandito · #20 (**permalink**) 10-18-2009, 08:58 PM

Thats a good looking motor, cant beat that price too for a 79cc brand spanking new motor. Ill bet that thing will scream on a bicycle. Being 30ccs bigger than the hua sheng I dont see how it can compare. Gotta be able to do 50mph with this motor it would seem just being stock......I just went back to looksy again at that motor how can an 79cc motor be rated 2.5hp the same as the honda 50. I know the internals but still doesnt seem right.