Beachcruiser with rear suspension

azbill · Sep 21, 2009

so, the internal geared hub throws the whole bike out of handling alignment ???
that is not a good sign

as a FYI...I got an e-mail from dave at rusty spoke...the stretch is 499 + 80 to ship

Charged-Reacter · Sep 22, 2009

Azbill that is a good sign of what rear drive not to order, unless
it is from a quality bike shop. I went ahead and mounted manic mechanic
short intake up and used the new style carburetor because it is shorter
than the stock carburetor but beefier in size. The air cleaner on the new
style is chrome and fits just right. I have everything hooked up to the motor
and for gas tank ,I am trying to make up my mind on the peanut style or the newer
style. It helps out alot when you have 3 engine kits to swap out from.
So basically I am down to the rear set-up of the bicycle and chain.
I had to return the camera that I borrowed but will try to borrow it again
sometime. The shipping charges on the stretch are killer of sales unless
a person has a location near them.

Charged-Reacter · Sep 23, 2009

I got my order in for the manic mechanic sprocket adapter
with 36t rear sprocket. In a few weeks I will post about whether
the rear of bicycle will hold up or about problems.

GearNut · Sep 23, 2009

I am eagerly waiting.

Charged-Reacter · Sep 25, 2009

I found my old schwinn rear wheel with coaster brake and tried my first
doughnut mount with a 44t sprocket. Took me awhile to get it right. Late this
afternoon I finally got to fire up the CH80 again. I did not go very fast on the
bicycle because it started to move back and forth like a fish tial effect. So
this bike is totaly unsafe at any speed with the china girl engine. Keeping
control of the bicycle was very hard to do. It kind of reminded me of someone
intoxicated on a bicycle.
So I will take the engine off and disassemble the other parts and try out
the Robin 35cc GEBE on the bicycle when I get the time. It was a fun try and
that was all that realy mattered to me.

Kevlarr · Sep 25, 2009

Wonder if the single beam swing arm is flexing? To my eye that looks like the biggest weak point of this suspension design. Every MTB with rear suspension I've seen has a triangulated swing arm for stiffness.

bairdco · Sep 25, 2009

i guess a rear fender is out of the question...

Charged-Reacter · Sep 25, 2009

With the internal gear wide hub it seemed not to be that flexing.
When I changed over to the smaller hub size with the older schwinn
coaster brake the flex was very noticable. I was afraid the 415 chain
going to come off and bind but had no way of testing the internal drive
with the engine. I think now it would have not made that big of difference.

Charged-Reacter · Sep 27, 2009

I have been thinking of a way to strengthen the flex from the
rear of the bicycle. If I cut the upper rear section round solid bar
from the down tube of a Schwinn Continental and leave the axle
holders on it to with a cut. I will be able to thread the upper bars
and attach with a muffler clamp to the downtube of the RustySpokes
bicycle. If I ever neededed to change a flat tire this would be easier
to remove. Do you think this is a bad ideal or not?

Froggyv · Oct 2, 2009

So how do I become and active member? Registering isn't adequate?

Bring out the mouseketeers, and you can start your own Mickey Mouse club.

GearNut · Oct 2, 2009

Froggyv said:
So how do I become and active member? Registering isn't adequate?

Bring out the mouseketeers, and you can start your own Mickey Mouse club.

You gotta make a few more posts, that's all.

Froggyv · Oct 2, 2009

GearNut said:
You gotta make a few more posts, that's all.

Obviously the operators are not familiar with vBulletin, all they need to do is flag posts with links, set them up to be moderated and a moderator either approves or disapproves the link.

I can make 20 posts of rhetoric then put in my link? So that resolves the spamming problem? Not in my world.

BarelyAWake · Oct 2, 2009

or just a 3 post minimum - which is easy enough. You just managed to do it so all's well.

It stops a LOT of spam thanks and I think the mods here would rather play with their bikes than babysit every link.

Junster · Oct 16, 2009

Charged can you get someone to follow you and look for the rear wheel to shift left or right? A swingarm setup like that is prone to wheel walk. The original shaft drive motorcycles use to do it. The torque would twist the rear wheel sideways. That maybe the "flex" your feeling. The pivot and the swingarm itself would need to be very tight and strong to stop it. A normal rear triangle the seat stays stop it. Also the pull of the motor drive chain could be pulling the whole swingarm to the left. I've wanted to build a rear suspension bike similar to those but coming up with a swingarm pivot that is stiff enough but doesn't weigh a ton has excaped me so far.

Charged-Reacter · Oct 17, 2009

That is the problem that I am having with this build is the
swingarm. You can spread it apart by hand or push it in by
hand very easily. I think it would have to be replaced with
a stiffer tube type than the box type that is on it now.
It makes a very good peddle bicycle but not a motorized
bicycle. I think the way it is now that a front wheel friction
drive would work on it. But that was not my plans for it.

BarelyAWake · Oct 17, 2009

Well, unfortunate as it is that it didn't work out there's still potential - and I just wanted to thank you again for being our guinea pig. While I'm sure I woulda gone nuts with a welder and mods and come up with something eventually, you saved me some cash and frustration.

I'm still half considering it actually... keep us informed on what you end up doing with it, and thanks again Charged!

Charged-Reacter · Oct 31, 2009

It rained all day yesterday and that gave me some free time to mess
around with the soft ride bicycle. I installed a front springer a while back
and that gave me my steering problem with the bike. That was my first
rush attempt or noob. I put the original fork back on the bike and got it right.
I used a rack mount belt drive engine, shimano cb-e rear wheel with 105 gauge
spokes- coaster brake. A x-fd sturmey archer front, drum brake wheel. Maxxis
Hook Worm 2.5 inch tires and slime tubes. I went 15 miles through the country
way and put it to the test. The soft ride gave a great performance ride and handling.
The rear wheel swing arm is strengthen by the attachment of the rear brake arm. I also
made a swivel attachment to the bike for support of the upper arm coming from the engine.
The bicycle holds true to its title of soft ride and I am very pleased with the bicycle. I can
get a picture posted as soon as I can borrow a camera again if interested.

BarelyAWake · Oct 31, 2009

Please do Charged - that sounds sweet! It's great news that the steering problem was simply a mismatched springer issue, no worries man - I woulda done the exact same thing lol

GearNut · Nov 1, 2009

I second the request for pictures, if you can.
Also, I am glad you worked out the steering issue. An old roommate of mine had a 20" bike with a springer front end. That thing felt rubbery in the handling department.
I like positive handling, not a wandering flexi-flyer......

Charged-Reacter · Nov 6, 2009

I shortened the seat post by 3 1/16 inches and added a classic
hair pin web spring cruiser seat. This turned this ride into a firm but
soft ride, like your floating with the bicycle instead of that roller coaster
effect ride. I have never experienced a ride like this on a bicycle before.
The suspension shock is rated at 650 lbs/in .

Beachcruiser with rear suspension

Active Member

New Member

New Member

Active Member

New Member

New Member

a guy who makes cool bikes

New Member

New Member

New Member

Active Member

New Member

New Member

New Member

New Member

New Member

New Member

New Member

Active Member

New Member

Attachments