99cc rack mount 3 speed spoke drive MTB

Too much to do, too little time and not enough energy either. I think I may not have had enough hook where I cut off the spokes, so will make replacements with more hook and dab those with paint to identify them. Plus, I will use JBWeld on the threads and I'm buying the correct spoke wrench for these oversize spokes to get them good and tight in the first place. Like so many things I do, by the time I've finished doing it I have a pretty good idea of how to go about it. It's bumbling around up to that point that's the problem.

The heavier the bike and rider and the more powerful the engine the greater the stress on these spokes rubbing up against the tread. Being the critical point of engagement, they deserve special focus I think. Live & learn.
SB

The spokes are so stiff I don't think there is much distortion. I'll experiment with replacement spokes for the missing ones, giving them more hook, epoxy on the threads and a snug tightening. Also a dab of paint to identify them to see if they are "permanent" or also going missing. I have a feeling that with the right attention the spokes will stop going AWOL. I noticed today some wear on the tire and am wondering if a more aggressive tread would be better than what I bought.

Still a lot of fun to ride. This afternoon the dog got a cheap thrill while we were cruising down Bear Head Rd. toward the state park. A black bear was crossing the road on a diagonal, coming our way. I slowed to a stop, letting the engine drop to an idle to see what was going to happen. Mukwaa (bear) stopped, too, trying to figure out with near sighted eyes just what the heck we were. Then Miss Mooshie let loose with a fury of barking and I was afraid she might get out of her trailer to give chase which would not have ended well. I turned the bike around, gave it gas and got out of there. Cheap thrills on me motorbike.
SB

I thought I'd give a little update on this build. With a move to town and the selling off of my firewood supply... along with the suspension of Motorbicycle Summer Camp For Boys Who Never Grew Up... there has been precious little time for building and not as much as I'd like for riding. So, this odd build has been the summer rider and has racked up a good many miles.

No more issues with losing spokes at the drive hub. Having enough "hook" at the cut off end and lock tite in the threaded nipple has ended the problem. I did notice a fair amount of wear at the rear tire and changed to a tire with much more aggressive "nubs" in the tread pattern. Much improved, with no slippage at all. I've gotten used to shifting and definitely use the gears while going from a dead stop to cruising speed. On logging trails I can ride along in first gear at the equivalent of a brisk walk and at full throttle in third gear I believe it reaches into the low 30's on a flat. Long, steep hills which tax the engine are easily accommodated with a bit of pedal assist using the MTB's gear ring. I rarely pedal at all and when it is called for it is nothing to raise a sweat.

The engine starts easily, usually with one pull, and the drive system appears to be bullet proof. Most of the time I'm pulling the kiddy trailer with Aaniimoosh The Wonder Dog in tow. I'll share a few pictures in the near future now that the bike is in town for the most part. The dog has managed to work her head through a tear in the mesh fabric cover at the front of the trailer so she does get a lot of looks as we ride by... like one of Pavlov's experiments gone awry. Ha!

I consider this build a great success.
SB

So far so good with the spoke ends bent into a hook, but I'm open to whatever works. Got some riding in today. Already feels like fall in my part of the world with low 40's the past few nights. Hopefully there will be lots of Indian summer days to come, perfect for riding a motor bike. I look forward to the Maytag modifications...
SB