First Build-Early Review GEBE

[rustyshackleford]

Why GEBE? I was impressed by reviews and ease of installation. Being a novice at this I felt like this was the right choice for me because of ease of instalation.

I went with the Tananka 33cc 2 stroke engine. I am at 210lbs and I can clip 30 mph out of box. Average cruise speed around 28. Downhill I hit 39.8mph. I think I need to find bigger hill to clip 40 +.

So far I went thru a whole gallon of gas. Last night was first time I had trouble climbing a big hill. With pedal assisting I dropped down to 10 mph but was really pedalling hard. Maybe should of went with larger motor with me being 210lbs? Too early to tell. I like to pedal assist a little to get some fun exercise. Also I have a heavy steel bike.

My commute to work is 33 miles. So far the biggest disappointment for me is the range for gas tank of only 20 miles. I carry a big bottle of gas with me but not sure yet if I can make the 66 mile round trip. Maybe I will do math today as I know it would take little more than 3 tanks for round trip.

Again this is early review as I have only the bike for 1 week. What a blast to drive all around my country roads. I think when engine gets "broke in" maybe I will get a little more power and maybe with exhaust upgrade it would help out with mid range in climbing some of these Hocking Hills.

Ok did math on gas needed for my 66 mile round trip. Gas tank holds 23.8 ounces. I get 20 miles out of a tank. 1.19 ounce per mile = 107.56 miles per gallon.
I have a 33 ounce extra tank of fuel. For a total of 55.8 ounces. 1.19 x 66 miles = 78.54 ounces needed. That would leave me 22.74 ounces short. I guess will have to get another fuel bottle. Downside of 2 cycle I can't just stop at gas station.

Comments welcome...

 

[Dan]

Howdy Rusty, Welcome.

 

[virginian]

I have the same system - GEBE 32 cc Tanaka engine. I love it. Cruises at 30mph. Over 4000 miles and it has never broken down and left me stranded on the road.

Yes, the gas tank is too small. I solved the problem by adding a 1.5 liter auxillary tank. Just mount the aux tank on the motor support, run a single fuel tube to a hole drilled in the stock tank, and plug the hole in the stock tank cap.

That extends the range to 80 miles. Two MSR gas bottle extend the range to 130 miles. I also have another 1.5 liter bottle that i can put in a pannier for a total range of 180 miles.

 

[Ernst]

Welcome!

I just read that MPG will go up after we switch to broke in mix but while we use Break in mix we can expect lower MPG

I haven't seen a link for breaking in yet but I am serious about doing it right. Don't hold speed, go up and down with rpm and only now that I have about 70 mi on am I warming it up for a mile and then moving towards full throttle one or twice on the ride.
I read that we do want to get the piston to extend over on Scootdawg but again I am unsure if that is part and parcel for 2 stroke.
So take what I write as a newbie and not an expert but I understand break in is very important.

Ernst

 

[Engler]

Ok did math on gas needed for my 66 mile round trip. Gas tank holds 23.8 ounces. I get 20 miles out of a tank. 1.19 ounce per mile = 107.56 miles per gallon.
I have a 33 ounce extra tank of fuel. For a total of 55.8 ounces. 1.19 x 66 miles = 78.54 ounces needed. That would leave me 22.74 ounces short. I guess will have to get another fuel bottle. Downside of 2 cycle I can't just stop at gas station.

Comments welcome...

107 MPG from 32 cc engine is pathetic.

I have a BMP friction drive, tried it with 2 engines both were new (unbroken).

Subaru ECO 35 got 160 MPG with 1 inch roller 22 MPH + max speed, it is not broken in yet.

I am 280 lb.

Also tried 52cc HF 2 stroke beast. very powerful and noisy. After about 200 miles on it I was getting 80 MPH with 1.25 inch roller, max speed 33MPH.

I plan to go back to Subaru and put 1.25 inch roller on it, perhaps it will go up to 30MPH which is plenty for me and get better than 160 MPH.
Those Subarus take forever to break in I was told.

You can not beat 4 stoke Subaru or perhaps Honda for its reliability, easy start (first pull), no fuel mixing, quiet and they run forever if you take care of em (change the oil).

I was thinking about getting GEBE on and off for my second bike since I have 2 engines, did not take a plunge yet.

Many including me think GEBE is overpriced, also many experienced veterans on this board will tell you than GEBE ring will rip spokes sooner or later even 12 and 14 gauge wheels. In my case perhaps sooner rather than later due to my weight.

Perhaps I will settle for another friction drive since so far it worked well for me even I am heavy. Coastal Florida where I live has no hills, and when is wet I do not ride.

If I wanted to spend more money I'd look into NuVinci, or perhaps the new multiple speed Statton Jackshaft.

All china girl setups 4G's and similar solutions are junk and not worth to bother with unless you "Love to work on them" spending more time in garage than on the road. LOL

However many people love this stuff, God bless them.
This is America, free choice and "whatever rocks your boat" as my son says.

 

[andrewflores17]

I have the same system - GEBE 32 cc Tanaka engine. I love it. Cruises at 30mph. Over 4000 miles and it has never broken down and left me stranded on the road.

Yes, the gas tank is too small. I solved the problem by adding a 1.5 liter auxillary tank. Just mount the aux tank on the motor support, run a single fuel tube to a hole drilled in the stock tank, and plug the hole in the stock tank cap.

That extends the range to 80 miles. Two MSR gas bottle extend the range to 130 miles. I also have another 1.5 liter bottle that i can put in a pannier for a total range of 180 miles.

ideas like this are amazeing the small tank on these things is a huge killer love the idea of it

i love my gebe but my tanks the first thing im gona have to uprgrade

took it for a spin till the tank rank out 30 mpg i went up hillls all out tryed to get a very mixed driveing versus the equivilant of city and highway for our bike wanted a nice mix

 

[virginian]

Here is a picture of the auxillary tank that increased the range to 80 miles. I can alos carry extra gas bottles in 2 water bottle cages for an extra 50 miles range if necessary.