"MotorNewsBoy"

I would call this more "BoardTrack Inspired" (maybe "MotorNewsBoy") as the owner prefers it to have a more upright riding position.

The frame is a Worksman recovered from a barn it shared w/ a 900 lb Hog. I suspect he was drawn to the bike w/ "itching post" eyes 'cause the wheels were folded over in addition to other, more superficial, "hog damage". In fact that's when I realised that Worksman wheels (at least mine) are not laced up properly (<<<, and not <<>). Hmm... kinda reads like "Airplane" under Over, over Under, vector Victor; you get the idea.

Forks from Raleigh upgraded w/ a Fox Vanilla damper 'n' spring w/ 1 1/8" headset and steerer. Spring might be stiff but we'll give it a try 1st. Lifan 98cc 2.5 HP FlatHead motor. Doin' a 6 speed shifter transmitted in front and Below the motor. Has a rear drum brake; haven't decided for the front but we have options. IRC Metro tires to keep the rubber side down! Wide crank spindle is going to be a must

Been takin' some lessons from this site and others; we're gonna do a simple in frame gas tank 'tween the top tubes.

The plumbers seat tube is a nice touch but it's gotta go!

I'll have it mocked up and running soon I hope. then a quick strip down and off to powdercoat matte on flat or flat on matte don't know haven't decided.

The motor mount is finished and I'm making bearing carriers for the jackshaft that'll mount up on the front underside of the motor mount for rigidity and alignment ease.

I don't have any need to bypass the governer other than it doesn't lend itself to throttle/cable control; I 'm not looking to make the motor spin faster. Less reduction necessary!

Anyway, pics so far!

Thanks! I could make spacers (= time & $). But the front ubolt is not tight in the pic and the rears don't need a spacer. These motor platforms nestle right down into the frame and because they fit so well they don't require being over torqued to stay in place. And by mounting the bearing carriers to the platform the motor won't try to torque itself or the jackshaft out of position. On the right side the opening, is going to be covered by chainrings.

A swivel is another way to hug the frame a little more!

Thanks guys,

Made a little progress today w/ the bearing carriers. Starting to be able to see a mock up of the jackshaft. The pics are from my cell so forgive the quality!

I'm not really planning on running it w/o the shroud; gonna run w/o the fin covers though. In Arizona during the summer I might be concerned about overheating. I live in Seattle ( I think we have < 100 days > 70 deg a yr). It's acually really easy to find out if there's gonna be a problem by running temp tests w/ and w/o the shrouding using a laser thermometer.

These motors are designed to be run stationary in the hot sun all day long; for that they need shrouding. For "most" of our purposes they are not running for long periods of time and very little at all w/o moving and most of us are lucky to see many hot days.

Thanks for the concerns and the heads up though. When I get both 4stroke bikes going I'll do temp tests on both and give results.

Dmar there will be a freewheel on the pedal crank a'la SBP.

Kevron it is a 98cc 2.5 hp "flathead" Lifan motor

42Blue, I respectfully disagree. It is not so much intentional as it is for a reason. That they are laced by a machine (In Taiwan, I suspect, where the rim and hub were manufactured). $ is the reason. Having laced many wheels myself w/ 11 to 15 guage spokes and given the length of 26" wheel spokes there is no difficulty in interlacing the final cross. Another thing you'll observe in machine built wheels is that the spokes go the same direction on both sides unlike hand built that are opposite. Motorcycle wheels are different in that they are all oriented essentially "elbow" in at the hub, where as, on cross pattern bicycle wheels, they are alternating (elbow in, elbow out) at the hub. Apparantly the machines fully tighten ea. spoke 1 at a time, all the way, rather than loosely assembling all and tightening evenly (especially damaging to aluminum rims). If you look at the whole thing closely w/ a critical eye you'll see that it is not right and that a wheel w smaller spokes laced the same way is inferior. Interlacing the final cross in a 3 cross pattern bicycle wheel is important, for many reasons, not the least of which is longevity.

That being said, the Worksman wheels are over built for their designed purpose "going slow w/ heavy loads" and going fast won't be a detriment. They are far and away better than the Mall Wart crap and they look really cool on a motorbike!

Clotho, I'm w/ you on the break in good lookin out! Also you aroused me into action! The shroud/no shroud division. At my day job I work in the thermal test equipment industry. I'm no Thermal Dynamics Engineer but I spoke w/ one of our engineers today and he gave me some ideas for simple tests that should give some real data concerning shrouds vs. not. We have access to some pretty cool test equipment. For example, I can test windspeed in the shroud and get an average by measuring in several spots. In the coming week or so we'll be using windspeed sensors and I'll be able to do some testing. In addition I'll test them in application, under load. I'll at least be able to conclude it for myself.

Bottom bracket, tires etc on the way. Finishing bearing carriers and more assembly this wknd!
Stay Tuned!

Fins need to be larger on 2 strokes cause they generate more heat so the Morini motor is a good example for 2 strokes but not 4. You may have a point though in that they could have reduced fin size in lieu of the blower.

Got my JS bearings mounted and lightened the motor reduction gear!

Been workin on the tank here 'n there; made a SS bung and plain steel spout today. Think I'll take a little more length off the bung. I think it's looking nice though.

I'll be welding the tank up this wknd. I'm learnin' a lot w/ this one!

Got the tank welded today. Maybe a few fills and build ups, some grinding and bodywork away from being ready to paint. Bolted it to the frame and it cinches up nice and tightly. Did not get to the cranks today! Where does the time go?