Quest for Dependable, High Performance, Easy to build MotoredBike

GoldenMotor.com

g1manalo

New Member
Oct 23, 2010
53
0
0
san diego ca.
Started off with a friction drive Honda g35 kit on as Schwinn Protocol dual suspension Mountainbike Had a very good experience with it , never broke down, used it for 400mile. Max speed 24-25 on flats, 150 mpg. I’m 160 lbs. Started reading more about performance and I came across a Golden Eagle kit.
Golden Eagle #13 gear with Honda G35
Very dependable, never broke down, performance increased with max speed of 29 to 30 on flats, 180 mpg on, have to pedal on hills. Twice made a trip from San Diego to LA, 230 miles round trip. Took 5 hours of fun each way along beautiful Southern California coast. Golden eagle is a very quite drive train. Just be careful of the belt. My first belt only lasted about 1k cause I did not center it properly. My bad. I would also suggest whoever decided on a gebe kit to make a template of the lower engine strap. This strap gets out of form over time such that even if you follow the golden eagle instruction on centering the belt, it will never center cause the lower engine strap is out of form. You can use this template as a guide to adjust the strap to its original form. Of course to begin with its very important to follow gebe’s instruction on how to properly align the belt in the beginning. We have some steep hill in san diego, and I tried to use my bike on all my errand, bought I trailer and shop at costco, walmart, or grocery. I decided to non-op my car and cancel my car insurance. I am sports car guy . But this MB is just so much more fun and way cheaper. Just borrow my wife’s or teenage daughter’s car if items will not fit my bike.I have put about 1200 miles on the Gebe Honda set up. The gebe is a very well engineered kit, Made In Ameria. I agree with all the people that have given review on gebe site. I cannot complain with the service Dennis and Julia. I need more power. Sometimes its hard to see your needs until you have experienced it .I heard good things about the tanaka engine 40cc.
Gebe with #14 gear and Tanaka 40.
This power is addictive, glad got the Tan 40 instead of the 35. Perfomance is about 34 mph top speed on flats. Can do about 36 if I tuck myself in for aerodynamic. What made a difference other than top speed is on the hills where the Honda can only do 20 with hard pedaling, Tanaka can do 27 to 29 no pedaling on the same hill. Lots of torque. The engine pulls hard thoughout the rpm range. The Honda to Tanaka engine switch is very well worth it, especially for my use as a primary transportation. MY only gripe is the Honda is a lot more quite, the Tanaka is more on the loud side. I have to wear earplug. But I will wear the earplugs every time just to get the power
Staton( staton inc) has new drive 6 speed chain drive on an outside gearbox .Ordered one from dave coming next week.
Time to add high perfomance engine upgrade that include HP carb, juice box, hp filter kit and a custom made pipe from jetpro ( jetpro.com) a pipe specialist. His pipe is more quite but also add perfomance. This can add 1.5hp to the existing 2.3 hp on the Tanka 40. HP parts coming this week
Ultimate goal: Being able to accelerate faster, 34 to 37 cruising speed, do 42 to 45 when the road calls for it, means when it safe to do it in. Im quite confident multi gearing can accomplish this and engine mods can accomplish this.
Thanks to Dinno Jetpro owner and Dave form Staton in for the excellent customer service and sticking with Made In America. Staton offers lifetime warranty on their drive and Jetpro gives a lifetime warranty on their pipe.
 

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silverbear

The Boy Who Never Grew Up
Jul 9, 2009
8,325
670
113
northeastern Minnesota
I recently built a 50 Schwinn straight bar with a HS four stroke engine (49 cc) with a Qmatic transmission and have been very happy with it. I think that once the 2 speed option is available in the Qmatic it will be a very good option for people looking for reliable primary transportation is steep hilly areas. Very quiet transmission, low vibration (virtually none) smooth running engine. I don't use a speedometer right now, so can't tell you about speeds, but it is quick. Sounds like what you're doing is another good route to take. I like cruisers, suspension forks, fat tires and in frame engines. Good that we have options to fit different needs and tastes. Like you, I'm looking to use the truck much less and the bike much more, weather permitting.
SB
 

silverbear

The Boy Who Never Grew Up
Jul 9, 2009
8,325
670
113
northeastern Minnesota
I recently built a 50 Schwinn straight bar with a HS four stroke engine (49 cc) with a Qmatic transmission and have been very happy with it. I think that once the 2 speed option is available in the Qmatic it will be a very good option for people looking for reliable primary transportation is steep hilly areas. Very quiet transmission, low vibration (virtually none) smooth running engine. I don't use a speedometer right now, so can't tell you about speeds, but it is quick. Sounds like what you're doing is another good route to take. I like cruisers, suspension forks, fat tires and in frame engines. Good that we have options to fit different needs and tastes. Like you, I'm looking to use the truck much less and the bike much more, weather permitting.
SB
 

g1manalo

New Member
Oct 23, 2010
53
0
0
san diego ca.
I recently built a 50 Schwinn straight bar with a HS four stroke engine (49 cc) with a Qmatic transmission and have been very happy with it. I think that once the 2 speed option is available in the Qmatic it will be a very good option for people looking for reliable primary transportation is steep hilly areas. Very quiet transmission, low vibration (virtually none) smooth running engine. I don't use a speedometer right now, so can't tell you about speeds, but it is quick. Sounds like what you're doing is another good route to take. I like cruisers, suspension forks, fat tires and in frame engines. Good that we have options to fit different needs and tastes. Like you, I'm looking to use the truck much less and the bike much more, weather permitting.
SB
I thought according to scotto, its only available in single speed for now. But he said they are working on multi speed
 

g1manalo

New Member
Oct 23, 2010
53
0
0
san diego ca.

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g1manalo

New Member
Oct 23, 2010
53
0
0
san diego ca.
Based on your ultimate goal, you're really looking for a 150cc scooter, or at least a nice moped with a cylinder kit and tuned pipe.
Thank you for the suggestion. I use my bike with my motorhome so perfer it lighter. i dont have to have a motorcycle rack. If this kit from Staton with 7 speed on Tanaka 40 gets me up to 40 on flats, I will be happy. But on hills i have the option of lower gears. According to Dave a Staton, it can do 45 on flats. For sure I have the reliabilty with Staton Tanaka combo
 

silverbear

The Boy Who Never Grew Up
Jul 9, 2009
8,325
670
113
northeastern Minnesota
It sounds like your Staton with multiple speeds is the best option for you right now. As for the 2 speed Qmatic tranny, I know that Quenton had hoped to get it in final production by now and it has been tested thoroughly and works well. As I understand it there are a couple things going on. One is trying to work out production logistics to keep quality up and cost down as much as possible. The other is the great increase in demand for the current transmission which is keeping EZMotorbikes very busy. I'm not too worried about when it will be available for two reasons. First, my understanding is that it will be available as an upgrade to the current transmission, so I can use mine as it is and turn mine into a two speed later. Second, I know that Quenton is careful about quality control and when the two speed is available it will be as bulletproof as the current Qmatic. I like that I can email or call these guys and get a quick response. Really good customer service and I have every reason to believe this company is going to be around for a long time. Nothing insures longevity like a good product in the first place. When you do your build, be sure to do a thread for us to follow. I had one of the old Tanaka friction drive motors some years ago (Bikebug) and even with that little guy it was well made. I don't doubt that the engine you're using is a good one.
SB
 

g1manalo

New Member
Oct 23, 2010
53
0
0
san diego ca.
It sounds like your Staton with multiple speeds is the best option for you right now. As for the 2 speed Qmatic tranny, I know that Quenton had hoped to get it in final production by now and it has been tested thoroughly and works well. As I understand it there are a couple things going on. One is trying to work out production logistics to keep quality up and cost down as much as possible. The other is the great increase in demand for the current transmission which is keeping EZMotorbikes very busy. I'm not too worried about when it will be available for two reasons. First, my understanding is that it will be available as an upgrade to the current transmission, so I can use mine as it is and turn mine into a two speed later. Second, I know that Quenton is careful about quality control and when the two speed is available it will be as bulletproof as the current Qmatic. I like that I can email or call these guys and get a quick response. Really good customer service and I have every reason to believe this company is going to be around for a long time. Nothing insures longevity like a good product in the first place. When you do your build, be sure to do a thread for us to follow. I had one of the old Tanaka friction drive motors some years ago (Bikebug) and even with that little guy it was well made. I don't doubt that the engine you're using is a good one.
SB

Thanks for the info. Good to here that you're happy with it. I would like to have an in frame mount/ 4 stroke combo in the future. I hope my subaru will work with with. Scott will help me on the built in the furure. Good time for us mber's. The Manufacturers keep on giving us good options.

How many miles have you put on yours now?
Happy biking
 

silverbear

The Boy Who Never Grew Up
Jul 9, 2009
8,325
670
113
northeastern Minnesota
On the H.S. Motorbike build I don't know how many miles, just a few hundred probably as I just finished building it this fall and I don't use a speedometer, but I noticed I sure stopped riding the 2 stroke in favor of the four. I couldn't get over how smooth everything was and virtually no vibration. I have a newer type Whizzer oil filled suspension fork on that bike with extra wide Fat Frank tires and it's like riding a Cadillac. The Greyhound/Schwinn I just finished and was only able to put 25 or 30 miles on it before the first big snow storm and now temps down in the teens at night and below freezing in the day. So unless it warms up I'm done riding up here until spring. I'll be taking the Greyhound with me to Maryland in a month where I care take a place up in the Cotaktin mountains near camp David. Very hilly there which is why I wanted to try the Greyhound engine. So I should be able to ride it some this winter in Maryland. In the little I was able to ride it here I was impressed with the power from a dead stop and smooth acceleration up to "too fast" and it climbs hills nicely. That's what I want and need as I have a partial paralysis in my legs from Guillane Barre Syndrome (like polio). I can't pedal well, but I sure like to ride. From what I understand both the HS and the Greyhound motors will go for a long time. Good luck with your build.
SB
 

Saddletramp1200

Custom MB Buiilder
May 7, 2008
1,451
83
48
Houston, Texas
I am so proud of how far we have come. The first kits were ok at best.
Parts don't fit, vibrate off, don't align ect. I remember sitting on a sidewalk scraping a rear sprocket on it, because I could not afford a file. To take the chrome off of it, so the chain would fit. (c)
 

g1manalo

New Member
Oct 23, 2010
53
0
0
san diego ca.
Just got my Jetpro piped today.

I ordered in on Monday. Dino, owner of Jetpro custom made a pipe for my Tanaka 40 and finished it and shipped it to me on Tuesday. This is even for a custom made Pipe.

There is one word for me to describe this pipe: AMAZING

I feel I have to start a new tread for this so people with a Tanaka or other 2 stroke engine will know about it. Jetpro has a lot of slections of pipe

New Tread:

Jetpro Pipes: Silence, Increase the Performance for Your 2 Stroke, and It Looks Really Good

Re Picture: I have to adjust the engine furthur back away from my bottom.
 

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