MB WannaBe

Michigan Mike · #1 12-10-2008, 06:31 PM

Hi All,
I've been reasearching motorized bikes for a month or so now and hope to do my first build this summer. I'm a retired 200-pound geezer who just wants cruize around the country side a little and make short trips (15 mile round trip) to Wallyworld now and then. This would be mostly on good, two-lane black top roads with not much in the way of hills. No great need for speed ... I'm more interested in comfort and dependability than top end.

I've pretty much decided to keep things simple with a friction drive kit and like the Robin/Subaru 35 4-stroke, but I don't know much about bikes. I'd welcome some advice on a good bike in the $100-$200 range. I've heard that a steel frame would be better than aluminum for MBs.

Thanks in advance for your help .......
Michigan Mike

Technocyclist · #2 12-10-2008, 06:54 PM

Welcome to the forum... Steel frames are better than any material for a motorized bicycle.

hiker472 · #3 12-10-2008, 10:27 PM

Welcome to the forum! Wallyworld sells a nice cruiser style bike in that price range and you might get it cheaper now that it's out of season. When it started snowing I went there and got a mountain bike for only $50. I couldn't believe it was that low, but it was and I took it home with me!

**Dave31** · #4 12-10-2008, 11:42 PM

Welcome to the forum

Michigan Mike · #5 12-11-2008, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hiker472

Welcome to the forum! Wallyworld sells a nice cruiser style bike in that price range and you might get it cheaper now that it's out of season. When it started snowing I went there and got a mountain bike for only $50. I couldn't believe it was that low, but it was and I took it home with me!

Thanks for the tip Hiker ... will keep that in mind when I go to Wallyworld later today.

Michigan Mike

Michigan Mike · #6 12-11-2008, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fairracing31

Welcome to the forum

Thanks Fairracing ... looking forward to "talking" with everyone.
Michigan Mike

Michigan Mike · #7 12-11-2008, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Technocyclist

Welcome to the forum... Steel frames are better than any material for a motorized bicycle.

Thanks Technocyclist. I've been thinking that an industrial type bike like the Worksman might be a good idea. Has anyone tried motorizing one of these?

**Dave31** · #8 12-11-2008, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michigan Mike

Thanks Technocyclist. I've been thinking that an industrial type bike like the Worksman might be a good idea. Has anyone tried motorizing one of these?

There are sevral members that are using the Worksman. Here is the ones I could find

http://motorbicycling.com/f15/worksm...ress-4273.html

http://motorbicycling.com/f15/chrome...d-up-3868.html

comfortableshoes · #9 12-11-2008, 10:03 PM

You should also check your local craigslist for 80s to early 90s models of TREK and Raleighs. If you want a regular triangle frame rather than a cruiser. I picked up a Trek 800 (antelope) for free and the frame is steel. I also picked up a 1980 Raleigh Reliant for free and that is also steel. I'm quite fond of the TREK 800- it s good solid frame that would be good for ANY build. They are also dirt cheap now.

Michigan Mike · #10 12-12-2008, 07:28 PM

Thanks for the Craig's List tip ... will check it out.