Way Back Machine

[wrenching4fun]

Thanks for the tip, Jerry. This is a new concept to me. How many times have you used one to make it home? How well do they work?

 

[wrench]

For flat protection I recommend Tannus Armour
Tannus Armour is also a run flat

Tannus Armour Tire Liners

Tannus Armour protects your tube against 90% of common bike flats using 15mm of multi-cell foam. Say goodbye to pinch and puncture flats.

tannusamerica.com

I haven't had a flat since I started using Tannus
I still get the same top speed on my Whizzer


I first bought Tannus for my E bike because Goat Head Thorns were a problem
With Tannus no more Goat Head flat tires

I noticed my battery range and speeds were the same on my E Bike so I bought Tannus for my Whizzer

For extra protection I still add Slime
I haven't got a flat since I started using Tannus but I still carry an extra inner tube / patch kit and small hand held air pump on both my bikes - Always ready

IMO Saddle bags are a must to carry tools, parts, cable lock, gear whatever ya might need for the ride or a road side repair
IMO saddle bags also gives the bike a good look too

 

[Tom from Rubicon]

For flat protection I recommend Tannus Armour
Tannus Armour is also a run flat

Tannus Armour Tire Liners

Tannus Armour protects your tube against 90% of common bike flats using 15mm of multi-cell foam. Say goodbye to pinch and puncture flats.

tannusamerica.com

I haven't had a flat since I started using Tannus
I still get the same top speed on my Whizzer
View attachment 116922View attachment 116921View attachment 116923

I first bought Tannus for my E bike because Goat Head Thorns were a problem
With Tannus no more Goat Head flat tires
View attachment 116924View attachment 116926View attachment 116925View attachment 116927
I noticed my battery range and speeds were the same on my E Bike so I bought Tannus for my Whizzer

For extra protection I still add Slime
I haven't got a flat since I started using Tannus but I still carry an extra inner tube / patch kit and small hand held air pump on both my bikes - Always ready

IMO Saddle bags are a must to carry tools, parts, cable lock, gear whatever ya might need for the ride or a road side repair
IMO saddle bags also gives the bike a good look too
View attachment 116930View attachment 116931

Dude! I thought I would never see such a thang, but now I have. Bitchen!

Tom

 

[wrench]

Tannus is well worth the investment
Fixing a flat on a motorbike while on the road is something nobody like's to do , It's a little more involved than a regular bicycle wheel

The flats I would get on my Whizzer were usually from those pesky wires that fly off from cars bald steel belted tires
But not anymore with Tannus

 

[Sidewinder Jerry]

Thanks for the tip, Jerry. This is a new concept to me. How many times have you used one to make it home? How well do they work?

So far none yet. On my bike rear wheel removal takes quite a bit of work. As well as having weight on top of the wheel.

 

[wrenching4fun]

Roadside repairs are always difficult, not to mention the inconvenience. Anything that gets us back on the road quickly is welcome. Maintenance will curtail most failures, but it won't keep you from rolling over a nail or other sharp object. That's why auto tires are over engineered with velcro and steel belts. It's also why tires used on motorized bikes should be upgraded. Using better brands or upgrading to moped or motorcycle tires are options if you can find comparable sizes. My vintage Sachs moped had German tires that were worlds stronger than bicycle tires. Have considered converting to 17" moped wheels on this build. I have a set of Magic Marys that would fit these wheels, but they're too wide for the Higgins frame. Probably will dither until my first flat to deal with all this.

 

[wrenching4fun]

Still puttering with the symmetry of this thing. The designers of the bike created the basic design and all I can do is fiddle in the margins for improvement. It's getting there.

Changed the silencer from a clamp mount to a tab mount as shown in second photo.

 

[wrenching4fun]

Took a brisk spin to test gearing. Engine was sick, so Pulled the carb for a bath. Huge improvement in power, but reached cruising speed in second gear so need to knock gearing down a tad. Flimsy phone mount snapped, preventing video. Will record one later. Bike rides like a dream and drive train is smooth as silk. Shimano tranny works the way it should, but shifter is a reach, so might add extension upward.

Sturmey Archer drum brakes are amazing, easily stop with minimal pressure. Suspension is smooth and tight, absorbs every little bump.

Video will show the custom exhaust is quiet as a whisper so you actually hear the little Honda purr.

 

[wrenching4fun]

Two quick updates. One, swapped out the 20 tooth sprocket on the hub for a 24 tooth and it helped the gearing, but not ideal. Will probably go to a 28 or 30 tooth.

Second, now that I'm running an unrestricted air filter and exhaust, the Honda's Keihin carb seems to be running lean. It has a funky screw where the mixture adjustment should be but it only moves a quarter of a turn which doesn't change the setting. Anyone know how to tune these little carbs?

 

[wrenching4fun]

After more research I learned the carbs on GHX50s were jetted for extended operation at max speed. The HuaShengs sold as motorized bike engines, on the other hand, came with carbs jetted for variable operation. I tore both down and the jets are definitely different.

In addition, the HS carb has an adjustment screw for fuel/air mixture.

Will clean up the HuaSheng carb, slap it on the Honda, and report back on how well it runs.