First Build - Huasheng 50cc - Questions...

The foot pegs thing, Would work great and I have thought about them a lot. A bicycle is made so you are over the peddles for weight power. With the engine doing the work, it gives you an awkward ridding on your toes posture. Even on a cruiser frame. The bent seat post is a Must Have IMHO. Best bang for the buck upgrade I know of for comfort. The heat from the engine is not a problem. 2 strokes are thin and out of the way. 4 smokers are amazingly cool. and on both the really hot muffler is below and out of the way.

I have never owned one but Dax has the rack mounted Titan. (mounts above the rear tire and is chain driven) Is a great option for comfort ride as it could be fitted to a full suspension bicycle. Side note, Dax is great to do biz with. He is also working on an inframe 4 stroke kit. I have bought 2 smokers from him (my 1st kit was from him) and just great service and price. Main thing, he won't sell any thing unless he thinks it is good and he backs up his sales. Many good folks to buy from, I just can personally vouch for him and bicycle engines.com

The locking gas caps comes up a good bit. I can't remember but am sure some one found a source. Do a search above. Tons of threads on it.

My worst fear while ridding is some one parked in a car and throwing their door open as I am doing 35 MPH past them. Bike stop, me fly. lol

Dan said:

The foot pegs thing, Would work great and I have thought about them a lot. A bicycle is made so you are over the peddles for weight power. With the engine doing the work, it gives you an awkward ridding on your toes posture. Even on a cruiser frame.

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That makes sense.

The bent seat post is a Must Have IMHO. Best bang for the buck upgrade I know of for comfort.

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Will that post be able to be used for the following?

Amazon.com: Orange Metallic Banana Seat Stingray Saddle: BikeWorldUSA
Amazon.com: Pyramid Polo Bicycle Seat Rail (Sissy Bar), 36": Niagara Cycle Works
Amazon.com: Vinyl Back Rest Sissy Bar White Stingray: BikeWorldUSA

The heat from the engine is not a problem. 2 strokes are thin and out of the way. 4 smokers are amazingly cool. and on both the really hot muffler is below and out of the way.

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Am glad to hear that. Have touched a hot engine block & don't want to do it ever again.

I have never owned one but Dax has the rack mounted Titan. (mounts above the rear tire and is chain driven) Is a great option for comfort ride as it could be fitted to a full suspension bicycle. Side note, Dax is great to do biz with. He is also working on an inframe 4 stroke kit. I have bought 2 smokers from him (my 1st kit was from him) and just great service and price. Main thing, he won't sell any thing unless he thinks it is good and he backs up his sales. Many good folks to buy from, I just can personally vouch for him and bicycle engines.com

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That makes me feel even better...since the only person I let touch my car is a mechanic who works at another casino. Not only does he have morals/ethics...he also works pretty fast. Am going to miss him when I move to Idaho...unless I can get him to move up there.

Funny...that's who I've been looking at. Love his prices & with free shipping...can't beat that deal...especially since he uses Huasheng & Honda engines. Even funnier...he'll only be about 4 hours away from me whenever I move.

The locking gas caps comes up a good bit. I can't remember but am sure some one found a source. Do a search above. Tons of threads on it.

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Will do that. Wanting one of these come from some bad experiences in the past. Plus...in this area...there are too many people who get a kick out of destroying anything you have.

My worst fear while ridding is some one parked in a car and throwing their door open as I am doing 35 MPH past them. Bike stop, me fly.

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This is my biggest worry...especially since a ton of retirees are in this area. Even driving a car with steel all around me scares me...since I've seen too many accidents with them.

Have any place else to get a Landmark...other than Wal-mart? Looked online...no go. Can order from Wal-mart online & have it delivered...but would love to take a look at one before I do.

Know of any MB dealers in Phoenix? Am going down there next week & would love to see an MB in person...rather than just pix. If I were going 2 hours further south...there's always Spooky Tooth...but can't do that this trip.

Thanks again.

Broken Cluch Spring............

there are a lot of us in the phoenix area

give some cross streets maybe ?

Hmmm, with a banana seat, might not need a bent seat post at all. Retro Cruiser Bicycles,Sales,Parts,Beach Cruisers,Banana Bikes,Vintage,Kustom builds,Schwinn,Resto Mods,Muscle Bikes,Balloon tires,choppers,lowrider,quality BLACK SCHWINN VINYL BANANA SEAT LOWRIDER BICYCLE BIKE - eBay (item 230346179931 end time Jun-29-09 05:21:25 PDT)
I have seen some pics here and looks cool. (Cant find them. Veniceboy has so really great looking old school builds Venice Motor Bikes but on blog, no Banana seats)

I think the Landmarks are only available at Walmart but dunno. Walmart is cool about ordering them for you to have a look. They don't get upset or even know if you don't buy. I just bring the item # with me and talk to a manager.

Bill is right. Lots of great folks out your way. Best option is hanging out and talking. The pics thing is never as good as seeing/talking.

Dan said:

Hmmm, with a banana seat, might not need a bent seat post at all. Retro Cruiser Bicycles,Sales,Parts,Beach Cruisers,Banana Bikes,Vintage,Kustom builds,Schwinn,Resto Mods,Muscle Bikes,Balloon tires,choppers,lowrider,quality

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Don't think I will...especially since I'm going to be whole lot more comfy on a banana seat than a saddle seat. Plus...can sit about the same or further back than even a bent seat post.

Saw all of them earlier. They are nice. The closest one to what I'm looking at is this one:



The only difference is the front fork...front wheel & ape hangers. May have to get the ape hangers eventually.

BLACK SCHWINN VINYL BANANA SEAT LOWRIDER BICYCLE BIKE - eBay (item 230346179931 end time Jun-29-09 05:21:25 PDT)

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No bike at this location...but cool looking seats at a decent price. Too bad I don't have or use PayPal. Don't trust them from the horror stories I've read.

I have seen some pics here and looks cool. (Cant find them. Veniceboy has so really great looking old school builds Venice Motor Bikes but on blog, no Banana seats)

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Saw the pix over there. NICE!

Was over at Target the other day. They've got a Schwinn Legacy Cruiser bike available or a Jaguar. The only thing about the Jaguar is that I will be putting a heavy duty rear wheel with a coaster brake on it...so I lose my gearing for the bike.

On the other hand...read the reviews about Legacy Cruiser & the reviews mentioned problems with the rear tire. Want to get the engine broke in before having to replace the rear wheel.

I think the Landmarks are only available at Walmart but dunno. Walmart is cool about ordering them for you to have a look. They don't get upset or even know if you don't buy. I just bring the item # with me and talk to a manager.

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Cool! Gotta make a decision...since I just ordered this about an hour ago:

49cc Complete Gas Powered Engine Kit - $369.99

Should be here by the end of the week.

Misread the billing stuff...so left an email for them & they got back to me before I got home from the 9th Circle this morning. Was hard to believe that Nikki was as nice as she was. That's why I'm moving from here to Idaho later on this year.

Bill is right. Lots of great folks out your way. Best option is hanging out and talking. The pics thing is never as good as seeing/talking.

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Haven't heard from him yet...but if I do by the time I leave about 5:30 AM for the 4 hour drive tomorrow AM...will arrange to meet him while I'm down there tomorrow. If not...no biggie.

Do have a question about inner tubes. Are self-sealing the same as thorn proof?

Awesome, some great choices. (I would keep the gears though. Really, they do help and coaster brakes just ain't up to the task with an engine or 30/35 MPH) I have built many MBs with wally world cheap wheels and none have failed me. The trick is not over tighten. Meaning snug down the rag joint but loosen the low parts, not tighten the high. It works. But many will disagree with this. Is just MHO. (but I have 1,000s of miles with no problems)

I have bought a lot from BE.com and they are great! Fast shipping and no crazy handling fees. Great on the phone too. I bought a clutch from them a while back and in the box, was a hand written TY note. (looked hand written, I was dancing around with the box and joy of future rides, snork)

Thanks for the banana seat thought. Gives you the option of sitting back or being more directly over the peddles. LOL, or some day getting The Good Mrs. on a MB. I have been saving up for this; Schwinn: Classic Cruiser

Still might build it, would be fun but would need a 79cc 4 smoker at least!

Post pics!!!!! (Tag sales and thrift stores are a builders bud!!!)

Oh, I just use reg tubes and dunno. Sorry. But lots of info around on em. I really have never tried em and wouldn't know where 2 point ya.

Dan said:

Awesome, some great choices. (I would keep the gears though. Really, they do help and coaster brakes just ain't up to the task with an engine or 30/35 MPH)

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Went to Target's this evening & got this:

Men’s Schwinn Cruiser Bike - 26" : Target

Found ape hangers/banana seats/sissy bars at Amazon for about $35...so will be looking at this in the near future. With the bike bought...I can get a seat to match now.

I have built many MBs with wally world cheap wheels and none have failed me. The trick is not over tighten. Meaning snug down the rag joint but loosen the low parts, not tighten the high. It works. But many will disagree with this. Is just MHO. (but I have 1,000s of miles with no problems)

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If I feel like a stronger wheel would work better for me...especially with my size...$50 at Spookytooth is a small price to pay for of mind.

I have bought a lot from BE.com and they are great! Fast shipping and no crazy handling fees. Great on the phone too. I bought a clutch from them a while back and in the box, was a hand written TY note. (looked hand written, I was dancing around with the box and joy of future rides, snork)

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The thing which impressed me with them was her not trying to get me off the phone as quickly as possible...like she had tons of work to do & not wanting to be bothered. The thing I don't like about their site is trouble finding anything other than engines & engine parts.

Thanks for the banana seat thought. Gives you the option of sitting back or being more directly over the peddles.

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I like the retro "Easy Rider" look...but also the comfort factor is very important. May even get a toilet seat cover & get it to fit over the seat for even more comfort.

LOL, or some day getting The Good Mrs. on a MB. I have been saving up for this; Schwinn: Classic Cruiser

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Didn't realize they built "higher" end bikes...but they are more pricier than what I was looking for.

Still might build it, would be fun but would need a 79cc 4 smoker at least!

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All I see are the 2/4 strokes from 50/66 cc...not anything that size. If I find I love the 2 wheels...may want to look into that size to build me a trike...maybe even try putting 2 of them on for added power. Take the basket off the backend & use that space for the engine.

Post pics!!!!! (Tag sales and thrift stores are a builders bud!!!)

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Just got new batteries for the camera...so am going to get some taken Wednesday...since I'll be out of town tomorrow.

Dan said:

Oh, I just use reg tubes and dunno. Sorry. But lots of info around on em. I really have never tried em and wouldn't know where 2 point ya.

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Maybe the smart thing to do with my size. Plus...have had problems when I was riding previously with punctures/thorns...so $20 would be worth it.

Seldom a bad thing to go with the good stuff! I am impressed with how well you did your home work!

Looking forward to the pics.

79cc is involved and not an easy build. But fun! No kits and a wee bit o' tinkering. Can be done. There is always a way!

Dan said:

Seldom a bad thing to go with the good stuff! I am impressed with how well you did your home work!

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With how much I hate my job & what I had to do to get the money (feels like playing piano in a house of fine repute a lot of times)...you better believe I read & read & read some more. Plus...when I move to Idaho...want to have more to get me around than a '94 Hyundai.

The safety issues were also #1 on my mind as well.

May even be able to eventually start a business with my buddy on installing these...so that we won't have to work as hard doing something we hate. That may happen when gas goes up again. Now...we can fill up for $2-3 when gas goes back up to $4-6 a gallon. Want nothing more than to get a 1 gallon tank...putting a saw buck on the counter for my fill up & seeing the looks of all the "smart" people spending $100 to fill up.

Looking forward to the pics.

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They are coming...especially with the retro fitting I'm planning. Still find it hard to believe someone hasn't done this all ready & posted the pix here or on other MB forums.

BTW...do you know if they make rubber grommets you can buy from an auto parts or motorcycle place to get a nice clean professional look? What I'm thinking of are almost rubber donuts...so you can feed the screws through them.

BTW again...if I take the bolts I get with the kit to a auto or motorcycle parts store...can they get me hardened bolts to put everything together?

Dan said:

79cc is involved and not an easy build. But fun! No kits and a wee bit o' tinkering. Can be done. There is always a way!

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You could always try to find an East German/Russian 3 cylinder Wartburg & mod the bike with one of those.

phoobarnvaz said:

With how much I hate my job & what I had to do to get the money (feels like playing piano in a house of fine repute a lot of times)...you better believe I read & read & read some more. Plus...when I move to Idaho...want to have more to get me around than a '94 Hyundai.

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Best thing I ever did was quit a profession I grew to hate. Have to like what you do or a 3rd of your life is no fun.

I sell a few bikes here and there. I have found that just ridding around with a for sale sign works great. But sales are less then 1% of folks asking about your MB. Biz cards on magnets seem to really work well. I buy the magnet and preprinted back grounds at Staples or office depot. Then print a pic of a MB and contact info on em with a regular home printer. I would guess each card costs me around 20 cents.

The Rubber Grommets, (I couldn't spell it and in googleing it 2 spell check, found this; Rubber Gromets - PacificCable.com - 1-800-931-3133. ) But do not think I am following you. The bolts and hardware that come with the kit you are getting are good quality. I am not sure you need to replace them but any hardware store would have them. I have found that my local home depot is not great for finding bolts, but might just be here. I can't remember the sizes of the top of my head but Ace has (most that I have been to) Have sizing thing in the bolt section hanging on a wall.

The "at the pump" thing is great fun! "Dang, I put a dollar in last week!" drives ppl insane, snork

Just got the engine this afternoon...but haven't started anything with the construction yet. Expect to do that tomorrow. Ended up heading out this evening to get a helmet & 2 heavy duty thick tubes. Even ordered the sissy bar/banana seat off of Amazon yesterday. That will be here a week from now. Will be ordering the ape hangers late next week. Off to Napa tomorrow to see about a locking gas cap.

Almost got everything I need to get running.

Awesome! Looking forward to the pics

Dan said:

Awesome! Looking forward to the pics

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Was no go on the locking gas cap. The auto parts stores don't stock anything like that (locking gas caps for cars/trucks) and the motorcycle parts stores don't think this is something you need to worry about...since the owners have never had anyone mess with something the strangers don't own.

Did open the kit up & checked everything. The thing I was most surprised by was the weight and the heavy duty construction of everything. Was also very nice to have a thank you card in the box. Not used to seeing that anymore.

Am going to start working on getting everything put together tomorrow morning and hopefully be ready to take photos by the time it gets hot around noon. Hopefully my tire pump is still out in the shed...or it will be a trip to buy one to air my new thicker tubes I'm putting on there...since I'll have the wheels off anyway.

Will be nice to get my banana seat/sissy bar/ape hangers for the completed look I want.

Dan said:

Awesome! Looking forward to the pics

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That will come next week.

Started working on getting the MB built. Got the tubes installed...since had to take off the wheels anyway. At that time...put the zip ties around where the spokes meet. Will have to find my tire pump...or buy myself a new one. Think it's behind my bed.

Got the drive sprocket put on. Took me about 3 hours to get it centered and tightened down. The good thing about the Jag's rear axle is there's not much space to get the sprocket off center. Even used Loctite on the bolts to keep them from coming loose.

I do have a question about the pedals. With the kit...I got a new chain sprocket...pedal shaft & pedal holders. Doing some measuring...found the new shaft isn't any longer than what came with the bike. Is there a reason to change it out? Was able to get the pedals off...but the shaft & holders wouldn't budge. The large bolt will move just a touch...but not any further.

Am just taking my time with the build...since it's my 1st one. Anything you can suggest which might make things a little easier with putting the engine on...since after the pedals...that's my next step.

Taking your time is great! You will be so much happier with results. The peddle thing, is that the cranks come out more, not the length. Stock cranks come out at 5 inches and the 4 stroke kit cranks give you 9 inches so as to be able to work around the engine. Is kinda odd feeling at first, but after peddling for a few moments, you become accustomed. Did you get a one or 3 pcs cranks?