World’s fastest Schwinn cruiser

[indian22]

With parts being as expensive as they are shopping is wise, really time consuming and though $$ are not always saved in the process generally a better build does. I'm not surprised at the effort and expense you put into your builds.

Rick C.

 

[Forbidden Tuna]

How many miles on average
do you get with your 24ah battery?

 

[Tony01]

Yea Rick in the past I always went with the cheapest stuff trying to save a buck where I could but it always bit me in the butt later. I went around trying different setups and while everything was made to work in the way in which it was designed, in the 30k or so I have on gas bikes from 3 years there is one setup that was in the bike for the longest because it caused me the least problems. The best rider was 2-speed auto and the most reliable was the $30 clutch, which if you bought 3 or more would be $25 each. Got to the point I’d buy the stuff that wears in bulk as needed and had a regular maintenance schedule.

For this build I decided to find people who have tried and failed the most, and built with different setups, and get their advice. It’s been more expensive than my initial budget ($2000) but the result is amazing!

I asked treats for their recommendation, they are suggesting going with the 28mm tube hydraulics. So that’s what I’ll get. I will wait for their next sale which will probably be 18% off. These forks are $260 base and $370 with adjustment and strength parts. So $325 otd on sale.

Buying the fork will bring total build cost to nearly $3000. Cheap for the performance!

How many miles on average
do you get with your 24ah battery?

Depends a lot on power and speed. 40mi relaxed, 25-30mi “spirited” riding

 

[indian22]

Tony I think $3000. a bargain for performance, speed & dependability proves out over years and several thousand miles doesn't it? Looks great on top of all that so over 5 years that amortizes out to little of nothing per year. Really inexpensive travel that's fun.

Rick C.

 

[Tony01]

Tony I think $3000. a bargain for performance, speed & dependability proves out over years and several thousand miles doesn't it? Looks great on top of all that so over 5 years that amortizes out to little of nothing per year. Really inexpensive travel that's fun.

Rick C.

Absolutely! If I went with the right fork and wheels it would have saved me about $400. I went with the 19” for better off-roading.

Unfortunately I recently got a $245 “parking ticket” as the ranger called it, for riding my bike on an open space preserve trail not allowed for bicycles or ebikes. That’s CA for you. So now I’m going with road tires and going to stay off the dirt for the most part.

 

[indian22]

Absolutely! If I went with the right fork and wheels it would have saved me about $400. I went with the 19” for better off-roading.

Unfortunately I recently got a $245 “parking ticket” as the ranger called it, for riding my bike on an open space preserve trail not allowed for bicycles or ebikes. That’s CA for you. So now I’m going with road tires and going to stay off the dirt for the most part.

What a bummer & I'm a big fan of the parks and wildlife gals and guys, though working for legislative idiots!

I've used my hybrid for the last seven years as a test mule and every major part has been changed out multiple times except for the handle bars and saddle. Mistakes, some were, but all were tests and the parts or concepts later used on other bikes that I still ride. I like to build and actually need to build, but I love to ride...both are a part of who I was and who I am!

I'm hoping you will get back to offroading, legally, perhaps on another bike...you'll have some parts ready to go....though two and a half Franklins down in the wallet.

Rick C.

 

[Tony01]

What a bummer & I'm a big fan of the parks and wildlife gals and guys, though working for legislative idiots!

I've used my hybrid for the last seven years as a test mule and every major part has been changed out multiple times except for the handle bars and saddle. Mistakes, some were, but all were tests and the parts or concepts later used on other bikes that I still ride. I like to build and actually need to build, but I love to ride...both are a part of who I was and who I am!

I'm hoping you will get back to offroading, legally, perhaps on another bike...you'll have some parts ready to go....though two and a half Franklins down in the wallet.

Rick C.

Need to build. You nailed it. Problem is, I think if I continue to ride, my days will be numbered. I’m trying to make a case for the alternative but failing. I’m still going to finish the bike, and ride it some. There’s always the but.... in the long run or the short run I will die on it. There’s a few people that shouldn’t lose me right now. It would and does cause immeasurable pain to a couple. I can’t seem to not open it up too often for my own good.

 

[waynesdata]

At the level of power you are at I would be looking to see what getting tags would take. Anyone who can build a bike that nice can do many things.

 

[indian22]

Need to build. You nailed it. Problem is, I think if I continue to ride, my days will be numbered. I’m trying to make a case for the alternative but failing. I’m still going to finish the bike, and ride it some. There’s always the but.... in the long run or the short run I will die on it. There’s a few people that shouldn’t lose me right now. It would and does cause immeasurable pain to a couple. I can’t seem to not open it up too often for my own good.

Tony self control is one of the last things that most men are able to achieve and one has to be fortunate enough to survive long enough to have a chance to cultivate it. How I made 40 let alone 72 years is something I alone can marvel at, because no one else has a clue about the paths I've followed, just bits and pieces are known by any including my family. That's as it should be. Why worry others? While boasting is for losers & most listeners wouldn't believe ones life story if it were written as a novel. That stated life should be lived not feared. I started riding scooters at twelve and been up on two ever since. I often explored the limits & mostly got away with it but not always. I'm convinced that responsible riding is quite rewarding and relatively safe, but drivers are the enemy to our safe riding and they ultimately are not controllable.

I hate to see anyone quit riding, but I rode very little while living in Houston, mostly just toured the state when I rode. Traffic limited my riding in those days & I think it wise that I selected to avoid the congested city streets. To me it wasn't fun and it was dang dangerous.

Rick C.

 

[Tony01]

Welp, just did went to the docs, and it looks like I’m gonna be OK overall. Still recovering from my accident. Lost 15% of my body weight since. It is starting to affect my brain. Hospital gave me some oxys but not enough IMO, eventually got some to be able to go back to work. I got all the little things fixed on my bike just so I could drive it to the corner store at 3000 watts... But the huge dent in the rear wheel just made it too painful under 30mph. Found myself addicted to and just quit cold turkey. Getting started finally on the PT for my c- and t-spine and one knee. Tried on my fullface again today and it is extremely painful, especially taking it off. I really don’t want to go through all of this again.

The pain in my back and neck, and numbness in the back and sides of my head have subsided somewhat but I feel like I’m in for at least 3 more months recovery. This will put me squarely in the rain season here in NorCal if I choose to ride. I really wanted to learn how to drift the ebike in the rain, and still might. Will lower the suspension to reduce fall impact.

Rick, I’ve always been a commuter and never toured. It takes balls to go on a journey like that on a MB. Smart!! Less other drivers per mile.

 

[indian22]

Recovery is always difficult...get well and stay occupied.

Rick C.

 

[Forbidden Tuna]

I felt that way when I got swiped by a Corvette right outside of my driveway. The idiot thought my Left Hand signal was me flagging him to go around, so when I beared left, I hit the side of his 'Vette and went flying over the backside. Bent his antennae in the process. Only major damage was a bent pedal and a spring guide on my Monark fork. He paid me for my fork and I got him a new antennae assembly(I work at a GM dealership so I get parts at cost). I'm just glad it happened at maybe 25-30mph. My ribs and left arm hurts even a month after the collision.

I look at my bike now and want to ride, but since I can't get it tagged as a Moped in NC so there's no point in actually using it for anything other than countryside joyrides. That's one reason why I'm headed towards Electric, as long as I don't exceed 20mph in towns I can ride on the sidewalk or road with no paperwork.

 

[indian22]

Sorry Tuna & hope you heal 100% quickly.

I like the ICE' and electrics, but the electric keeps you under the radar if one rides responsibly. A little easier for old guys to do than for those with fewer years, but it could be a plan. No one has to be perfect and never can hope to be!

Rick C.

 

[Tony01]

Have to be fair to one positive aspect of these bikes in terms of safety. People who ride these bikes don’t tend to die. By “these bikes” I mean generally, a vehicle that doesn’t get driven on the highway and doesn't exceed typical highway speed limits. I can’t really get into how I know this here. From my own experience most crashes were around 25-30mph and had to do with crappy traction due to crappy tires or crappy suspension. Or crappy brakes. Flip side of that, accidents are just about guaranteed.

This guy had this kikker 125cc and rode it even though it was completely illegal. It also had a number of problems. I fixed a couple but he did not have much concern for it, just send it while it runs, with rear sprocket loose, one header bolt broken off in the motor, no front light, bolts stripped out all over the place. He began riding because he had seen me scooting around on the 212er and wanted something small. After riding the mini motorcycle for the summer he decided he wanted a motorcycle, bought some midsize old cruiser in a slightly better state of disrepair. Within six weeks had impaled himself on an suv. Was in his late 20s. Had he stayed on the POS 125cc he’d probably still be riding it today if the cops did not take it.

 

[waynesdata]

Have to be fair to one positive aspect of these bikes in terms of safety. People who ride these bikes don’t tend to die. By “these bikes” I mean generally, a vehicle that doesn’t get driven on the highway and doesn't exceed typical highway speed limits. I can’t really get into how I know this here. From my own experience most crashes were around 25-30mph and had to do with crappy traction due to crappy tires or crappy suspension. Or crappy brakes. Flip side of that, accidents are just about guaranteed.

This guy had this kikker 125cc and rode it even though it was completely illegal. It also had a number of problems. I fixed a couple but he did not have much concern for it, just send it while it runs, with rear sprocket loose, one header bolt broken off in the motor, no front light, bolts stripped out all over the place. He began riding because he had seen me scooting around on the 212er and wanted something small. After riding the mini motorcycle for the summer he decided he wanted a motorcycle, bought some midsize old cruiser in a slightly better state of disrepair. Within six weeks had impaled himself on an suv. Was in his late 20s. Had he stayed on the POS 125cc he’d probably still be riding it today if the cops did not take it.

I do not know the details but he may have been hit buy a stupid driver. Soccer mom on a cell phone.

 

[Tony01]

Ordered custom length spokes from JQORG on aliexpress; they are here after only 8 days. WOW! $55 for two wheels. 10g 105mm, 155mm.

Just bought the tires, Michelin Pilot Street Blackwall 70/90-17 front, 80/90-17 Rear from Dennis Kirk. They will be here next week. OTD with 3 tubes, rim strips is $109.

For comparison, my previous order for the same stuff in 19” cost me about $170. Ya, 17” is the way to go no doubt.

These tires are rated to 112mph; much more of mind than going 80+ on 93mph rated “vintage” tires

Total cost for 17” wheels not including hubs: $265.

Before/after weight readings coming soon. Goal is -6lb per wheel. Can’t wait to finish the damn wheels and mount them up so I can fab a kickstand!!

 

[indian22]

Sounds a great plan Tony. Pricing seems reasonable too.

I recently read through your Briggs/Predator 2 speed build recently and gotta' give props. It's a really nice build with a lot of thought and work in it. You've got skills!

Rick C.

 

[Tony01]

Sounds a great plan Tony. Pricing seems reasonable too.

I recently read through your Briggs/Predator 2 speed build recently and gotta' give props. It's a really nice build with a lot of thought and work in it. You've got skills!

Rick C.

Thank you Rick! It seems that a lot of the pics are not showing up. If you want to see the rest of it you can click one of the flickr links, navigate my albums to “build 2.0”. The 1 and 2.0 frame was my first build which had seen half a dozen motors, eventually got a lot of rear end bracing because of the 212 torque, and a double thickness left gusset for a stronger trailer hitch. Build 2.5 was the same bike with a new frame and several parts after somebody totaled 2.0.

 

[indian22]

Thanks Tony I noticed the host deletes and wanted to see details so I'll look on flickr for those missing photos. I'm certain they will be most instructive.

My Grubee hybrid has been my test mule for more than 7 years now. I don't know if it's a better frame than the tank clones that sell now for just north of a Franklin, but it's been worth every penny I paid for her. Parts, look, and feel have all changed over the years but the frame & the original GT-5 bottom end is the same and I'm certain I've now over 20,000 miles on this motor after my just completed 540 mile Fall excursion. I've had a few high dollar motorcycles that didn't make it this far without a major re-build. I had over 700 hours on the motor several years ago when I remove the hour meter and never put it back on...shame I'd like to know exactly. When it decides to grenade I'm thinking billet cases and reed case induction. Those billet cases used with iron liners (under100 cc) are machined so tight that case pressures are insanely high producing performance North of 15 hp at 9,500 rpm and still making power past 11,000 rpm on racing fuel! I'd settle for 11 or 12 hp on the street, but then clone KTM 50 at 10.5 hp is a fairly decent option at $400. (not including the expansion pipe).

I'm not changing the GT-5 till she detonates!

Rick C.

 

[Tony01]

Rick that is very impressive. 12hp is great for such a small form factor.

Tires coming on Tuesday. Don’t think I’ll finish the bike by then. Just gotta take the first steps.

Front tire is still good no burnouts or WOT mistakes with wiring up a new throttle... lol happened twice to me very scary and painful have a huge scar from one incident.

It sure was easier getting the tire off than on... only about 3 minutes off... gotta finish the glasswork too. Glass in the battbox mounts, some other small stuff, and the big job of smoothing it with bondo. Fun fun fun!

For sale 3.25-19 Dunlop K70 less than 1500 miles on it. Comes with new in box tube $60