The $50 Cruiser. Operational after over a year parked next to a barn

[Trey]

This bike sat abandoned next to a guys garage for a year or more when he got his licence back after a dui. I havn't even washed it yet. After much help given by members of this site, my first ever gasbike is up and running. There are still issues, but I thought I'd post the pics. I rode it around 1/8th of a mile, half a dozen times, no problems after tuning for altitude. Around the lot, down the street etc. Even comfortably got it up to 20mph or so. Then later the chain came off. The rear sprocket is loose, there MAY be, and ARE parts missing, etc etc. Someone here told me that I would be tinkering... I see it's true! My plan is to put a home-made 1 gallon-ish gas tank behind the seat, extend the exhaust, and paint it. There are other things; self sealing inner tubes, chain tentioner, stout rack behind seat, brace fenders, real kickstand, LocTite all of it and probobly add lights. And upgraded brakes. 1) side view 2) engine and gear box 3) drive sprocket. is it suppossed to be that close to the spokes? 4) pedal crank missing 3 screws and safety ring 5) pedal sprocket from behind rear wheel. that doesn't line up with where the sprocket will be in the rear. If you have any ideas, observations, or opinions on any of it, please let me know.

edit removed pics

 

[ocho ninja]

Re: The DUI cruiser. Operational after over a year parked next to a barn

Ditch that box exuast it's too restricting, you can make your own or use a standard kit exuast... That will really weak up that lil engine.

You can also remove some the tin shielding around the head to make it look better,it's used to keep the engine cooler for stationary applications... Plus I don't think you have to worry about overheating judging from all that snow lol

But good looking build!

 

[fatdaddy]

Re: The DUI cruiser. Operational after over a year parked next to a barn

The two most important parts of any build.
(1) ENGINE in tight and straight. (2) Drive gear/sprocket alignment.
Once you have those done the rest is easy. Take the chain and pull it straight back from the engine sprocket. You can pretty much tell just by looking down the chain if it's coming back STRAIGHT OFF THE GEAR. Then lay the chain straight back to where your sprocket SHOULD BE. You can space the wheel some and space the sprocket some, Whatever it takes to get the rear sprocket in alignment with the drive gear. If you get this alignment right then most of your problems are solved. Just make sure the sprocket is tight to the wheel before riding. A loose sprocket will throw a chain and bend it all up.
fatdaddy.
*****************************
IT'S YOUR BIKE, BUILD IT YOUR WAY.

 

[Trey]

Re: The DUI cruiser. Operational after over a year parked next to a barn

ocho ninja- Didn't think about that shroud, it's coming off today! There's real snow in the mountains, but our winter in the valley (5500') is about the next 4 months. And in the interest of honesty- I got this bike fully assembled by a gentleman with one hand. I've only had to switch, tighten, and change a few things. Now that I know it'll run, the build really begins.
fatdaddy- I started to respond, then went and took some measurements instead. Pic 3 looks off, but the engine drive sprocket and pedal drive sprocket are 3 1/4" apart, and the hub engine drive sprocket and and hub pedal drive sprocket are 3 1/4" apart. So it will go. Lining the chain up straight off the drive gear forces me to slightly cock the tire to avoid rubbing. It's not much, but it's not parallel to the frame. I believe the sprocket is too close to the spokes? Missing spacer of some kind? I've been looking at pics but not sure. The spocket is loose. The engine is tight and straight.

 

[ocho ninja]

Re: The DUI cruiser. Operational after over a year parked next to a barn

Does the mounting plate you have allow for side to side movement ?
I know most 4stroke mounting plates have slots for the engine studs that let you move the engine to get proper chain alignment.

EDIT: Yea I have the same mounting plate as you... You just have to play around with the mounting plate and spacers to get everything lined up right

 

[Trey]

Re: The DUI cruiser. Operational after over a year parked next to a barn

Do you notice anything missing on my rear wheel? Maybe a spacer between sprocket and spokes? My drive chain is good to go, I don't know that the prior owner ever had a pedal chain... I can adjust the engine.

 

[ocho ninja]

Re: The DUI cruiser. Operational after over a year parked next to a barn

Oh WTF! Duh, just noticed you have the HD grubbe hub with the built in brake like I do lol
All this time I though you had a rag joint.
It's a good set up. You can also try flipping the sprocket to which ever way gives you better offset.

And as far as wheel axel spacers, that's something you have to play around with on your own, every frame is different.

I had to widen my rear chain stays and use several washers to get everything right...
I'll take pictures later of my wheel and post em if it helps you.

 

[Velodrome]

Re: The DUI cruiser. Operational after over a year parked next to a barn

HOLY POOPCAKES! You got that for $50 ??? WOW!

 

[ocho ninja]

Re: The DUI cruiser. Operational after over a year parked next to a barn

Oh snapp! That's right now that's a bargain son!

Dang your a lucky Guy to get that for 50, the rear hub AlONE is worth that... that's how much I paid for mine

 

[fatdaddy]

Re: The DUI cruiser. Operational after over a year parked next to a barn

I think ya gotta listen to Ocho Ninja on this one. We ride together on nice days so I've seen his setup up close. IT'S NICE!!! He should be dropping by my place soon, (a day or two,) So If ya don't get it all worked out before that we'll put our heads together and get you on the road, NO WORRIES.
fatdaddy.
****************************
IT'S YOUR BIKE, BUILD IT YOUR WAY.
***********************************************
It would be nice to spend billions on schools and roads,
but right now that money is desperately needed for political ads.

 

[Trey]

Re: The DUI cruiser. Operational after over a year parked next to a barn

~Option to flip the sprocket. Mine has the teeth away from the spokes. Seems like there should be more room between the two.
~Option to adjust axel spacing. Got any pics of yours? Parts used?
~What is a chain stay? Yeah, pics would be helpfull.
~$50.00 yes sir. My first post here was about getting a DUI, then this bike (some first impression huh?). A friend of a friend had the same situation but had gotten his licence back a year or two before, and gave me the bike with a promise to buy it back if I didn't want it. So I call it the DUI02 / DUI Cruiser. If you can't laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at?
~The offers of help are most appreciated. I didn't mean to get into this hobby but I enjoy it already, what part of the world do you fellas call home?

 

[ocho ninja]

Re: The DUI cruiser. Operational after over a year parked next to a barn

1. With the sprocket teeth flipped away from the tires gives you more space between the tire and chain.

You can also add washers or spacers between the sprocket and the mounting plate, you might need longer bolts, to achieve more space between the chain and tire. But it might interfere with the band brake. I haven't had to do this yet, i only use 2.0x26 serfas drifters
Your also gonna have to play with alignment via moving the motor Left or right

2. Head down to your LBS and see if they give you a few axle washers and spacers. Your going to need some on the right side of the hub, some between the hub and the band brake so that the brake doesn't rub against the sprocket.

3. The chain stays is the rear part of the frame that holds the rear wheel
check out this thread if you wanna find out how to space them out. http://motorbicycling.com/showthread.php?t=20252

AND DANG WHAT A DEAL! if you ever sell that the motor, it better be me or fatdaddy you call first lol

I kinda got into it when i bid and won my first china girl HT kit on ebay lol
Were both in San jose, CA... we often ride together on warm days, not sure if you get many of those were you live lol

here is a few pics of my setup... i probably have easily over 800 miles on these wheels. Should of cleaned my bike also lol


Honestly every bike is different, its gonna take some playing around with washers to get everything right.

 

[fatdaddy]

Re: The DUI cruiser. Operational after over a year parked next to a barn

See, Told ya Ocho Ninja had a pretty nice setup. I got a pic of the entire bike but I don't know if he wants anyone else to post it. Ask him though, he probably will be happy to show off his bike.
fatdaddy.

 

[ocho ninja]

Re: The DUI cruiser. Operational after over a year parked next to a barn

I posted pics of my bikes on my public profile under albums.

Hopefully I helped somewhat.

 

[Trey]

Re: The DUI cruiser. Operational after over a year parked next to a barn

Just got home- this is probobly what's called off topic. I was wondering about you saying "snap", because I used to say that when I lived in Seven Trees. THAT was a minute ago... lot of time in the army since the 2 Live Crew concert at the fairgrounds. Low lows on Story and King. Are you guys old enough to remember Tropicana? I live in Montana now, it's good man. Super calm, clean air and water... and my first DUI- and now the gasbike. lol

 

[fatdaddy]

Re: The DUI cruiser. Operational after over a year parked next to a barn

Just got home- this is probobly what's called off topic. I was wondering about you saying "snap", because I used to say that when I lived in Seven Trees. THAT was a minute ago... lot of time in the army since the 2 Live Crew concert at the fairgrounds. Low lows on Story and King. Are you guys old enough to remember Tropicana? I live in Montana now, it's good man. Super calm, clean air and water... and my first DUI- and now the gasbike. lol

Yeah, Ocho is always saying things like that. Don't make him a bad guy though.
He's always been there for me.
I haven't been out to the Seven Trees area lately but I'm sure it hasn't changed much. And a friend of mine is part owner in the Tropicana shopping center. A few new businesses there but it's pretty much the same too. The fairgrounds hosts a bike show once a year now along with a BUNCH of other events, And the Spartan stadium does all the San Jo fireworks now, 4th of July, after games, ect. No more fireworks at the Discovery Museum.
fatdaddy.
**********************
IT'S YOUR BIKE, BUILD IT YOUR WAY.

 

[Trey]

Re: The DUI cruiser. Operational after over a year parked next to a barn

Thanks for the update on the city man, really cool to hear. All the bike info is helpful. I decided to strip it and paint it since I have the rear wheel off already. So, It'll be awhile before it's up and running again. I'll get back at you guys with some build pictures.

 

[ocho ninja]

Re: The DUI cruiser. Operational after over a year parked next to a barn

I actually live behind tropicana on king and story. Area has changed alot over the last years, ALOT more businesses and people... Not to mention traffic lol

My parents told me stories of the low rider shows they used to have there along with the big dance parties... Sure sounded like great times.

Just let us know if you help or info... And looking forward to seeing what paint skeam your gonna come up with.

 

[Trey]

Re: The DUI cruiser. Operational after over a year parked next to a barn

There it is right there patna! I miss the ESSJ man, Story and king, Pepsi Cola, Eastridge, Verde, Stonegate, Seven Trees. Can't believe you guys are right there, or got folks that are involved at that place. I'm 36 so I wasn't really ridin good then (89), but it used to be hella dudes, an SOME females out ridin low an slow till like 5am. Very little drama back then (if you were a lowrider, not a g) If I remember right, Rosandro Padres had a show that was out-of-hand man! He came on late and turned out to be the hit of the night. Musta been good, I woke up over by Cunningham park at some chicks house... but I digress. I'm Irish, an even though it was hard at first, cool IS cool, so everything was good. Crazy that I meet you guys on the Intra-Web. This gasbike thing seems to be literally all over the world. Didn't expect to talk to somebody from the house. Thank you for the feedback. Could not do it without help.
Lookin for a place on this site to post a "Where are you from- where are you now?" thread.

 

[Greg58]

Re: The DUI cruiser. Operational after over a year parked next to a barn

Post that in the tavern. You just about stole that bike, a basic 2 stroke on craigs list in our area will run 400 to 500$.