Q-Matic / Schwinn Classic Cruiser first build

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Professor_Fate

New Member
May 11, 2011
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H.B./O.C. Calif
Hiyas All

I posted an intro a month ago http://motorbicycling.com/f14/hello-huntington-beach-ca-30143.html

I am using a late 90's Schwinn Classic cruiser that I aquired for a good
price at a local swap meet. I contacted a local EZMotorbike dealer and
ordered their HS/Q-matic kit. I went with a 4-stroke for dependablity
and the fact I can just fill her up at any gas station. I plan on riding from
H.B. to work in Irvine a few times a week.

Took about 4 weeks for the kit to arrive and I have spent the last 2 months
building it. Here are pics of what I have so far.





I'll go thru and explain what I did, the problems I experienced, etc. One thing
I want to say now is I had a few quality issues with the Q-matic drive during installation. I am fully aware that these kits are DIY and are really in their infantcy so there are bound to be issues here and there.
EZMotorbike helped right away with tech support on a Sat. and I had new parts a few days later. The support I got from EZMotorbike was GREAT and
I was up and running the next day. In later posts I will explain what happened and how we solved it.
 
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Professor_Fate

New Member
May 11, 2011
20
0
0
H.B./O.C. Calif
The first thing I wanted to do was make sure I can stop. I put a Sturmey
Archer front drum brake with an old Weinmann brake lever I had. The drum
brake need a few special spacers and locknuts as well as a strap for the arm.
I found a place online that deals with Sturmey small parts as well as a bunch
of other things Bike Tools Etc. - 1000's of bicycle tools and parts for the home mechanic!

The weinmann brake lever is too short to make the drum brake work effectively. On ebay I found a Magura brake lever with a brake light switch.





The front drum brake works really well with the added throw and I can wire
a rear stop light. People with small hands would not like this lever....it's
pretty long reach from the grips.........

drn2
 

Professor_Fate

New Member
May 11, 2011
20
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0
H.B./O.C. Calif
I installed a whole new wheel using Maniac Mechanic sproket adapter and 56T
gear, with a standard coaster brake.



I had to move the sprocket adapter all the way out to get chain clearance,
it just clears the brake arm. I also put some washers on the rear axle to
speard the rear for clearance.

drn2
 

Professor_Fate

New Member
May 11, 2011
20
0
0
H.B./O.C. Calif
Next came the chain tensioner. I tried to set it up without but there was no
way. And I really did not like the looks of the stock one that came with the kit. Looks kinda dangerous. I started with thinking about a piece of alum
spanning the seat stays and chain stays. Then one night I sketched something different. Being this is the first motorbike I have built I really was
not sure if it would work.





The pics are fuzzy but you get the idea.

drn2
 

MotorBicycleRacing

Well-Known Member
Jul 28, 2010
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SoCal Baby!!!
www.facebook.com
Great looking 4 stroke build.

Are you bringing it to the Oct 22nd race event in Apple Valley?
I am going to have a small 4 stroke class that will be 50cc Honda and
50cc Huashengs and smaller. Will be a ton of fun even if you aren't a
hard core racer and just want to cruise on a track.

Hope to see you there.
 

Professor_Fate

New Member
May 11, 2011
20
0
0
H.B./O.C. Calif
I first made the mount and arm out of cardboard and tried to figure out how
long the arm needs to be as well as how much spring tension. I cut 1/8" alum
then used a grinder and sand paper to match my cardboard templates. It uses
a shoulder bolt and thrust bearings for the arm pivot. I used spacers at the 10T gear to align with the Q-matic. I originally used a softer spring but that failed as the chain jumped off on hard motor braking.
I put a stiffer spring on and it seems to work good. However, I hear a lot of chain noise with the 10T alum gear. Just how tight should the chain be?









drn2
 

Professor_Fate

New Member
May 11, 2011
20
0
0
H.B./O.C. Calif
Been a while since I posted my first build. I have about 800 miles her now and all seems to be going well. I have had zero problems so far. Would anyone be able to give some insight as to how tight my tensioner spring should be?
As I am riding, the spring loaded tensioner does bounce up and down and really goes down under motor braking. The chain does not jump off, but I am sometimes concerned by how far the spring does let the arm pivot.

I am also looking for a replacement flex pipe as mine is all rusted from living close to the beach. A stainless steel one would do the trick but I cannot seem to find stainless flex pipe. Any leads as to where I can get one?

Thank in advance for any replies.......

Mark from H.B.