how many of you motorize classics

bicycle bill · #1 08-22-2010, 12:28 AM

I was just wondering how many of you motorize a classic cruiser say pre 1960 and if you use the chinese kits on them or an italian kit or whizzer
William pedalpusherclassics.com

**BarelyAWake** · #2 08-22-2010, 02:08 AM

1940's Rollfast, modded Chinese engine (not a kit): http://motorbicycling.com/f38/rustor...off-13144.html

The Morini, while a better engine - just looks all wrong for a vintage build in my opinion & although the Wizzer would be appropriate, it's far too large & there's some question regarding a modern Wizzer's quality... ironic it may be that I should mention quality when I'm so happy with the Chinese two strokes, but there's a significant price difference and I'm more than happy to "finish" a HT *shrug*

There are ofc almost as many engine alternatives as there are bikes being built lol, just about anything that goes "vroom" gets bolted on - The ol' Maytag washing machine engines would be a heck of a vintage bike build... but they're not so common for some reason lol

Have ya checked out our Board Trackers and Vintage Motorized Bicycles section?

silverbear · #3 08-22-2010, 06:09 AM

1939 Elgin chronicalled in the Rustoration thread, a couple of 63 Schwinn Americans, all with HT motors. Coming up is a 50 Panther with a four stroke, a 34 Elgin step through with a HT and a 42 Schwinn "The World" step through to convert to a three wheeler, probably with a HT. Can't help it. I like the old stuff.
SB

**BarelyAWake** · #4 08-22-2010, 06:16 AM

o_O

Whut? There's a coupla ppl voting "no" but not leaving a reason?

Enlighten me plox

Bikeguy Joe · #5 08-22-2010, 06:17 AM

No classics here but several 60's and early 70's bikes.

**BarelyAWake** · #6 08-22-2010, 06:17 AM

psst...

*whispers* Joe - these days those would be "classics"

We're jus' gettin' old man

Venice Motor Bikes · #7 08-22-2010, 09:09 AM

I think if you look at my web site, you'll find that I'm all about classic Schwinns!

Kevlarr · #8 08-22-2010, 10:32 AM

If I could find one I would. Around here anything older the 20 years somehow becomes "classic" and starts for $100.
Missed out on a descent mens Hawthorn for $50 last week and it was the first realistically priced truly classic bike I've seen on CL in a year of checking.

bairdco · #9 08-22-2010, 10:41 AM

i've done a 24", 1940ish Colson, a 1942 Colson Imperial, a 1930's Colson Flyer, and a late 30's/early 40's Hawthorne Twin Bar Zep.

and i've got another early 40's Colson Olympic i'm ready to build, but i'm waiting till summer ends, 'cause it's an awesome beach cruiser.

the bikes i build start off as a basic platform, covered in rust, and would cost more to restore than what i could get back out of them, so i don't feel bad about slapping a chinese 2 stroke on them. i also don't do any modifications to the frames, so as long as they don't crack, there's no damage to them, so if anyone ever wanted to restore them, they could.

i would draw the line at motorizing an original, complete, near-perfect classic, though. there's enough basket cases around so i wouldn't have too. i mean, unless i found the perfect, vintage motor that would compliment the bike. then, anything goes.

Russell · #10 08-22-2010, 03:59 PM

I only did this one. I removed and saved some parts so that I could revert back to original. These parts were chainring(skip tooth), fork, rim and skip tooth sprocket, rear fender as it would have to be modifed for chain clearance. No holes drilled or any welding to original bike.
The pictures are under "what year is this old bike" posting.