First chaindrive build :D

**BarelyAWake** · #1 07-22-2009, 06:40 AM

Wandering the webz one day, to my astonishment I found whats old news to you guys - clutched, chain-drive engines for bicycles!!! Before you could even say "what are you thinkin" I had ordered a 66cc kit and was off to Walmart to pick out a POS to bolt it in...

ofc I didn't do any research, didn't know of this sweet forum, didn't even know the exact measurements of the engine... ofc I picked a frame with an unusual Dtube and a very confined space for said motor... ahh - n00b I be

No matter, whats life w/o these little challenges? The kit was insanely inexpensive, the bike an el-cheapo - so what do I have to lose? Armed with a Dremel, I knew no fear.

Two weeks later... it's "rideable" ...sort of o_O

Actually, it's worked out better than expected, the carb manifold had to be altered to cant the carb to the side a bit and correct the angle, the forward motor mount cut and ground to fit the angle and width of the Dtube and new bolt tabs welded on, a little heat shield made as the exhaust manifold almost touches the frame... the list goes on and on ofc.

The only two remaining issues would be the motor mount (welded wrong twice, despite it's simplicity) and the motor falling on it's face about 1/2 way through it's RPM range - a problem I now suspect may be due to incorrect jetting, an issue I was unaware of until I found this forum. I'm going to wait till I break in the motor before I mess with the jet however.

Well - unfinished, I still ride it to my job everyday (I suspect "finished" is a myth anyway) and because I have to fend off various people interested in buying the damn thing as I try to work I've taken to hiding it inside the building lol

POS Walmart Schwinn it may be and it's configuration led to all sorts of problems, yet because of it's shape it kinda looks like it was designed with a engine in mind and less like an afterthought - or at least I think so in my perhaps slightly biased view lol

I just wanted to thank you guys - this forum is really an eye-opener, I wish I had found it sooner!

Here's a pic taken right after it's first "test run" - not one to waste an opportunity, I had stopped at the local grocery store and it's laden down with a week's worth of bachelor chow... The added weight seemed to make no difference at all!

Ghost0 · #2 07-22-2009, 10:13 AM

Nice looking bike and good job shoe-horning that engine in there.

Finfan · #3 07-22-2009, 11:14 AM

Being able to weld is such a plus when building these things! I wish I knew how! Looks good!

city of angels · #4 07-22-2009, 11:31 AM

great looking bike nice build

wheelbender6 · #5 07-22-2009, 01:13 PM

I wasn't very interested in motorized bicycles until I saw the frame mounted versions. I was hooked after that epiphany.
This site has broadened my interests to all sorts of power assist.

**BarelyAWake** · #6 07-23-2009, 04:18 AM

Thanks guys!

Finfan, being able to weld is a plus, unfortunately even though I can weld, I don't have any equipment - forcing me to rely on others... which hasn't been working out so well.

So this morning I get to pull the motor for the umpteenth time (which obv means I cant ride it) and try and get the blasted mount welded properly... again

Sometimes I regret not getting a "normal" frame to do this project with, then I look at it again and remember how much I like it lol

Actually at this point I'm considering getting a 110v MIG (wirefeed) machine, they've gotten really good in the past few years, very easy to use and not that expensive at all anymore. It would not only save a lot of heartache - it would encourage "creativity" and help prevent duct tape and hoseclamp "solutions" :lol:

wheelbender6 - you may have saved yourself a bit of heartache skipping right to chaindrives, I've dabbled quite a bit with friction drives (both elect. and fuel) and while nice, they're a bit of a pain. Rain, dirt, bumpy roads, tire wear - these all conspire to take some of the joy out of riding. This chaindrive seems to have no real shortcomings!

Thanks again for your comments!

**BarelyAWake** · #7 08-07-2009, 06:15 AM

I entered a race!!1!

I did not win...

**2door** · #8 08-07-2009, 03:25 PM

Your quote: Actually at this point I'm considering getting a 110v MIG (wirefeed) machine, they've gotten really good in the past few years, very easy to use and not that expensive at all anymore. It would not only save a lot of heartache - it would encourage "creativity" and help prevent duct tape and hoseclamp "solutions" :lol:

If I could offer just a little advice; stay away from the cheap-o wire feed machines seen at the big box and auto parts stores. Many of them are made in Italy, for some reason, and some in China. They will work, for a while, but if you ever need service or parts you'll be out of luck. Welder repair centers won't touch them and replacement parts are almost nonexistant. Spend a few dollars more for a good machine, Miller, Lincoln, Hobart, and you won't regret it. By the way, I like your build. Looks like it was bought that way. And welcome to the forum.
Tom

**BarelyAWake** · #9 08-08-2009, 05:39 AM

I'm 110% in agreement :P

Miller, Lincoln, Hobart - these all have a much better duty-cycle than the knock offs, I just wish I could afford a decent TIG... but that's not gonna happen heh.

Thanks Tom! I think I've started a trend o_O at least two people I know have ordered kits after taking my bike for a ride, I can't wait till they finish them so I'll have someone to ride/race with lol It's a double edged thing - they get to learn from my mistakes, but I've had the time to work the kinks out... should be some good races soon!

There doesn't seem to be any other MBs around here, guess I'm doing my bit to change that

**BarelyAWake** · #10 08-13-2009, 05:46 AM

Yeah double posting, but I just put the first hundred miles on my lil MB and I'm having so much fun I just had to rant a bit

My recorded top speed that day, of course there was a little bit of a hill - she does a constant 26mph easy and w/o complaint though and I'm very happy with that.

I must say the first 50 miles or so are by far the most challenging, dialing in the motor, tweaking the setup, learning which fasteners are the most likely to vibrate off, and of course figuring out small details like how I had the rear sprocket on backwards :P

These days shes running like a champ, still all stock except the plug and cap - this is w/o a doubt this is the best coupla hundred bucks I've spent on a long time!!! Despite my short commute, I keep showing up for work later and later, my lunch breaks keep getting mysteriously longer and I keep cutting out earlier... I think there's a correlation between a sunny day and my MB... maybe...

I just wanted to say thanks again for all your help and advice, I may not have asked many questions - but that's simply cause this place has so very many answers!!!

Oh right - that odd arrangement on the rack is a test of my camera's image stabilization feature, I rigged up a tripod mount and shot a few shakycam vids - I'd provide links, but I fear they would cause seizures in some of our members heh The angle is cool, it's great for stills - but I'm gonna hafta figure out something else for .avi clips...