I could just be the Next brand, I'm not sure. My wifes bike was like $80 or $90, and they're plastic.I didn't know they put plastic levers on bikes. That's really bad.
Coaster brake are a pain in the butt to install but...
I like them because I can apply it with with my foot instead of having more levers up front. If you buy a cheap cruiser, I would take off the front fender and put on a second hand brake immediately. It is an inexpensive addition but nice to have for better control and for the inevitable bike chain break at the worst possible moment. A coaster brake and a front hand brake is ideal in my opinion, which is worth less than some of the others here.
As for kits, I have the boy go fast kit from ebay. If you assemble it correctly it seems to be fine. I assembled mine wrong and it was a mess. Go slow in your assembly and consult this forum for instructions. If you have questions ask here. The people on this forum will actually answer technical questions and be happy to do so. You might even get a laugh or two along the way.
As for the additional work for the coaster brake, it amounts to enlarging the hole in the new rear sprocket. I drew a circle around the hole about a quarter inch thick. Then I went to home depot and bought a metal rasp for my drill. I sat down and enlarged the hole without any fancy tools or expertise. It isn't perfectly round but it doesn't have to be. It just has to be more or less centered so that the sprocket can be centered on the rear wheel. YOu also have to bend the coaster brake arm enough to clear the bolts again not a big deal if you have access to a vise. I didn't so I bent mine with a sledge hammer and a big pipe for an anvil.
One thing to remember when you get frustrated is that even I could do it, so you can do it to.
Do not believe that you can install this kit in four hours, that is someone's marketing tool, but it is well worth the time and effort to see the look an people's faces when you cruise by them. Not to mention just shear fun of a slower paced world you actually feel part of again. You aren't insulated in a rolling bubble on these bikes you are part of the enviornment as you tool along.
One more thing on the bike, oversized tubes look stronger but they are harder to fit the engine to. A nice standard sized tube is best. Get a bike with the standard 'slice of pie opening' in front of the seat down tube, if possible for ease of fitting. 26" is better all the way around. Though my first install was into 24". the bike looked great because the complete opening was full of engine. It looked more like a mini motorcycle but alas it I looked like a clown on it lol. Not only that it wasn't as stable as the larger bike.
Welcome to our world..
Oh if you are handy with tools look at the bike thrift shop and you can build a custom bike for peanuts. In my opinion its a lot more fun but also a lot more work.
My transylvainia chopper built form several junk shop bikes. parts cost probably under fifty bucks with lots of parts left on the curb for other builders to pick up.
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http://motorbicycling.com/f15/new-s-t-r-e-t-1681.htmlAnyone build one like this? I'm looking at a 48cc Chinese 2 stroke on a stretch beach cruiser. I'm wondering about the clearance in frame and the dangle of the exhaust.
i think the tires should be fine if you put nobby tires on its make the ride unplesant once on the paved road. you will need a brake handle right side cuz your clutch will be on the left. a cable and a front caliper , my bike shop usually has them on the brake post ready to instal . in a bag waiting for you to grab off the shelf . simply slid brake post thru hole in front fork (if caliper type very common) tighten down nuts on back side and move brake pads where the line up with the rim and adjust cable length so that the pads almost touch the rim but dont. that way when you start to pull leaver they make contact and if yousqueeze hard ,like say the instance arrises that you need a front brake like everyone here recomendes, its will be all stopping power. hope i didnt ramble to muchI am completely new to motorized biking, and have a couple of questions. I understand that it is recommended to install a front brake on a coaster brake bike, but I don't have a clue how to figure out what to buy or how to install it. My second question involves tires. I will be riding on some gravel until I can get to the paved part of the road. Should I be looking to replace the cruiser tires that come with the bike for a different type? Thank you for any suggestions
I do not see why not....I have these wheel with a grease fitting. Don't know if it came that way or someone added it.Thank you, Oscar. Your directions and picture are very helpful. Another question has arisen. Can grease fittings be put in on a coaster hub? If so, would it just be a matter of drilling a hole and inserting the fitting?I am concerned about having to have to keep taking everything a part to regrease the bearings. I get the impression that it needs to be done pretty often. Thank you.
i just got one of these bikes for $30 at the thrift store so im gunna use it for my first buildThat almost identical to my bike. To be honest, I like the bike but I wouldn't recommend it for a couple of reasons. It only has a coaster brake and I've snapped the chain twice. Plus the rear hub always comes loose.
From all the close calls I've had in the past, I Highly recommend any bike with a front brake.
i think easy rider built itThe Sledge Hammer Build Looks Great And Clean. Who Built It. Is That A Pipelyne Exhaust. Ron
Your wife has/had cantilever brakes. They are reliable, but not too strong. They won't stop you in an emergency, but they'll help you avoid moving violations. You can get tickets on bicycles for running stop signs and lights you know. Plastic brake levers are by far the worst. Buy new ones asap.Just thought I'd throw this out there...be careful of the Walmart bikes. I've recently realized this while working on my wife's NeXT mountain bike. I don't know about the moondog, but here's what I noticed on this one:
the derailluers were put on all crooked and not adjusted properly - if you get a preassembled bike from wally world, definitely give it a once- (or 5-times-) over.
The brakes....suck. I don't know what the design is actually called, but it's where the cable just splits into two and goes to each of the pads...yeah, they don't work worth anything. Plus, the brake levers are plastic and flimsy. I feel like if I was on it and had to stop suddenly, they'd snap right off. The bike doesn't _stop_ it just kind of slows down.
All the while I'm comparing this to my $350 mountain bike with Shimano components...you definitely get what you pay for I think.
Just something to think about...