Texas Riding Blog
- Thread starter biknut
- Start date
i've looked into those...
1. no motorcycle license
2. 2x the cost of building a motor bicycle
3. the wife doesn't really like to scooter/motorcycle idea
any suggestions on where i should start? looking for budget friendly
You'll need to plan on spending $500-600 total for a decent ride. The best deals for new bicycles are online. I paid $269 for the Cadillac shipped. It was a close out. I bought the motor kit on eBay for $135 shipped from BGF. The rest was for aftermarket, and upgrade parts.
Don't expect to just slap a kit motor into a frame and have a MB as fast and dependable as mine. If you want this kind of service you'll have do a little extra work. my motor is more or less blue printed. it doesn't cost much though if you do the work yourself.
The whole forum will help.
I like this bike...road bike with 1 gear ya don't need more on a MB it's a steel frame too! http://www.walmart.com/ip/Thruster-700c-Men-s-Fixie-Bike/17206771
If you aren't too mechanically inclined the friction kits are the easiest and actually tend to be more reliable for most folks.
If you aren't too mechanically inclined the friction kits are the easiest and actually tend to be more reliable for most folks.
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I'm fairly mechanical so i'm too worried about that..
I do like the way the cruiser bike look. but some times functionally and cost out way looks.
I was wanting to put a disk brake on the front any suggestions on a starting point?
The problem with buying a cheap bike like the wal-mart $100 I posted is EVENTUALLY you are gonna upgrade it enough to have bought the nice Cadillac up front but it gives you a cheap way to get started then use it as a spare once you've figured out MB are for you. They are fun fun fun though be prepared to be addicted LOL
i like the walmart bikes, but i wouldnt trust the frame so much... Macargi has some awesome bikes for motorized projects...
is there any marking on them that say 68cc or 49cc... just wondering how hard it is to pass a 68cc off as a 49cc if you ever do get stopped
No markings and I doubt anyone would ever question it if you print the specs for the 49cc you can't look at one and tell the difference IMO
persichini - your riding environment should determine the size of engine you use...if you have a lot of hills to ride up you definietely will want a bigger engine. but you live pretty much on a flat land area the 49cc will work just fine...
i have two pretty steep inclines "hills" i have to ride up and the 80cc climbs at 20mph constant - 1/2 mile of two very steep hills...
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In Texas size isn't an issue. As long as you can say it's not self propelled you're good to go.
I LOVE that bike.... looks like i need a shopping list based on yours....lol j/k
if you have a lot of hills to ride up you definietely will want a bigger engine. but you live pretty much on a flat land area the 49cc will work just fine...
i have two pretty steep inclines "hills" i have to ride up and the 80cc climbs at 20mph constant - 1/2 mile of two very steep hills...
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The cylinder and head look different on the china-kits between the 49cc and 66+, but the rest looks the same. You can get a "48cc" engraved clutch-cover case or magneto case for about $10-15 at bikeberry. I don't think most police will care unless you have an obvious violation such as turn signal failure (hand signal) or you are running through signal lights, but you might get stopped for "non registered/licensed motorcycle" or complaints. Best to have your id and stuff with you.
Thank You for the heads up happycheapskate - they forced me to register it as a moped...
it has vin number insurance and a license plate, which i thought was cool...
but in oklahoma, any vehicle with a motor or engine is considered a motor vehicle...
i'll check out the cluthc cover...
it has vin number insurance and a license plate, which i thought was cool...
but in oklahoma, any vehicle with a motor or engine is considered a motor vehicle...
i'll check out the cluthc cover...
When I was a kid, going through different states was just like traveling to another town, nothing really different except maybe accents or favorite local restaurants. As an adult though, it's like traveling through different countries! There are so many laws to follow (vehicle and traffic laws, gun laws, alcohol beverage laws, etc.)
I finally was pulled over on my MB in Dallas last night. It was no big deal, and I didn't get a ticket, but I want all the Texas riders to be informed about what happened.
It was about 10 pm. I was riding down Denton Rd just South of Royal ln. There's a lot bars and strip clubs in the area. Just to make it interesting, I had changed out of my work pants right before I left the house and didn't have one single thing in any of my pockets, including ID. My headlight and taillight were on, and my taillight was in flashing mode.
As soon as I noticed I was being pulled over I rode into a driveway to get off the street.
This is how the traffic stop went.
Can I see your ID?
I'm sorry I don't have any on me, but I do know my license number by heart.
One cop got back in the squad car to check out my license number, while I chatted with the other one.
So what is that?
It's a motor bicycle officer.
Your taillight is flashing.
LOL, yes, bicycle taillights flash.
Yeah I guess so. How fast does it go?
About 33 against this wind. 37 if I go the other way.
So you always ride this on the street?
Yes, for 2 years now. This is the first time I've been pulled over on it.
How is it you don't have to register it?
I found out from the DPS it's a gray area in Texas law officer. In Texas all motor vehicles are considered self propelled. This bike has to be peddled from a stop to get going. You probably noticed back at that light I peddled half way across the street?
So it's just up to any police officer to decide what to do?
Yes, that's right officer, but there's never been a conviction in Texas if it was challenged.
At this point what little tension there was disappeared, and the conversation changed to something like,
Damn where did you get this? How much did it cost? That's all? I want one. You get how many MPG? Be careful there's a lot of drunks out here, see you.
Thank you for your courtesy officer.
Then they drove off on their merry way, and so did I.
It was about 10 pm. I was riding down Denton Rd just South of Royal ln. There's a lot bars and strip clubs in the area. Just to make it interesting, I had changed out of my work pants right before I left the house and didn't have one single thing in any of my pockets, including ID. My headlight and taillight were on, and my taillight was in flashing mode.
As soon as I noticed I was being pulled over I rode into a driveway to get off the street.
This is how the traffic stop went.
Can I see your ID?
I'm sorry I don't have any on me, but I do know my license number by heart.
One cop got back in the squad car to check out my license number, while I chatted with the other one.
So what is that?
It's a motor bicycle officer.
Your taillight is flashing.
LOL, yes, bicycle taillights flash.
Yeah I guess so. How fast does it go?
About 33 against this wind. 37 if I go the other way.
So you always ride this on the street?
Yes, for 2 years now. This is the first time I've been pulled over on it.
How is it you don't have to register it?
I found out from the DPS it's a gray area in Texas law officer. In Texas all motor vehicles are considered self propelled. This bike has to be peddled from a stop to get going. You probably noticed back at that light I peddled half way across the street?
So it's just up to any police officer to decide what to do?
Yes, that's right officer, but there's never been a conviction in Texas if it was challenged.
At this point what little tension there was disappeared, and the conversation changed to something like,
Damn where did you get this? How much did it cost? That's all? I want one. You get how many MPG? Be careful there's a lot of drunks out here, see you.
Thank you for your courtesy officer.
Then they drove off on their merry way, and so did I.