Newbie from Lancaster, PA

There's two building philosophies: 1) Spend the money for a quality kit. 2) Buy a cheap kit then spend money up grading it. I personally prefer 4 stroke engines. My dealer is Staton Inc. I've got over 4500 miles on my kit with no problems so far. In our world lite isn't always a good thing. Steal frame bikes are less prone to cracking.

As for my bike I've got the only gas powered bicycle in the world that's shifts 5 gears automatically. There's very creative people here who can help you. Glad to see you want to keep it legal.

With 4 strokes change the oil every 50 hours and clean the air filter every 10 hours, then about all you'll ever need to do is replace the sparkplug.

A suspension seat post is also going to help. Hard tails are easier to set up than full suspension bikes.

Looks like you've got lots of room to work with.

LR Jerry said:

Looks like you've got lots of room to work with.

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yeah I like it lol

Onirus said:

Right on Jim. Looks like your droppin a few wads of cash on your bike.

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yeah I don't like it lol
pay now pay later

Onirus, welcome to the forum. I myself am from the Lancaster area (grew up in Mount Joy, lived in Lancaster and Lititz as well), but currently reside in Lebanon. I may possibly be able to get together with you and help you with your build, if you would like. Send me a private message and I can text you or email you if you want. As far as the legal side of things, you have to realize that it's not the cheapest or quickest process. I'll tell you what I know. First, in order to pass the enhanced inspection, you will need DOT approved headlight, taillight and brake light. I don't believe that turn signals are required, as it is still a bicycle I believe hand signals are acceptable (I'm not legal and I use hand signals). You will need adequate brakes. I am not sure if DOT approval is required on brakes or not, but a moped drum should meet that requirement if it is. I think you also need DOT rated tires ($$$). All that will probably cost you $200 or more. The enhanced vehicle inspection costs $160 and up, and if you don't pass you have 30 days to meet any unmet requirements and reinspect. You will have to take the enhanced vehicle inspection form to a notary and have it notarized, and that will cost whatever the notary charges. Then you have to apply for a title, which means an application fee for that. Then you have to pay another fee to get the title, then a registration fee, license plate fee (yearly, $17) and also will need moped insurance, which is about $90 a year. The entire process can take up to six months. I can tell you from my experiences of driving through Lancaster, Lititz, Ephrata, Mount Joy and E-Town that most cops in the county give a rat's behind about these little motorbikes. One cop pulled me over for tags in New Holland on my way to Pottstown, and let me go with a warning. That is the ONLY time I was ever stopped anywhere in Lancaster county. I drive my 98cc cruiser back and forth to work every day in Lebanon and have passed cops numerous times, and they have never bothered me here either. If you want to be legal and spend the money and wait up to six months, I respect that decision. I just don't think its necessary. As long as you drive safely and don't interfere with traffic (I ride in the shoulder or off to the side most of the time), I honestly don't think the cops will bother you. Anyway, its your choice either way. Again, send me a private message if you want to talk about getting together.

True the cops may never bother you. However if by chance you're ever involved in a multiple vehicle accident that's when laws will be applied to you. So if you're not legal pray nobody runs into you or pulls out in front of you causing you to hit them.

I got into an accident when I built my first bike, the cops never said a word about the engine other than it was pretty cool. The lady's insurance company even paid for damages to my bike as well as my emergency room bill.

That sounds reasonable. I sent you a message. If I have some spare time I'll definitely come over and help you out. We can talk over the phone or through email or whatever, but some things are easier to show than explain. Also, problems are easier to diagnose when the bike is in front of me.

There's also a get together this summer in the area. Check out the 'events and rides' section of the forum. Even if you don't have a running bike at that point, you can still bring your questions.

When it comes to the law sometimes you just get a lucky break. However most of the time you don't. Just build within your state's guidelines and do what you have to in order to be legal when you're able to.