I recently started tinkering with custom bikes, and love the idea of a motor. My question is how much power will be enough? I would like to have non-pedal assisted starts and power to get up hills, but only really want a 25mph or so top speed. The stretch cruiser I'm building will be pretty heavy and I'm a fat guy, so figure 280-300 combined bike and rider. Is a cheap, simple build out of the question? by the time I purchase everything will I be better off buying a cheap small displacement street bike? I was thinking a briggs and a jackshaft is about as complicated as I would want to tackle. I know there is no way to get something street legal that will do what I want in Oregon with their 32cc limit.
how much is enough?
- Thread starter streetpirate
- Start date
A stock China girl motor should be able to pull you at 20 mph. You will have to pedal a bit from stops to reach cruising speed. If you live in a hilly area, a jackshaft/shift kit will help more than a larger motor.
Some of the rear friction motors like the Subaru are powerful and reliable but may not be suited to a damp climate.
Some of the rear friction motors like the Subaru are powerful and reliable but may not be suited to a damp climate.
That is a cool looking frame. Rear suspension can be a problem for a motorized bicycle. Someone with more knowledge than my one build will come along. Anyway you're off to a good start with that frame. Keep going and post pics.
powered by motor alone makes it a motorcycle
lack of pedals also makes it a motorcycle
motor assisted bicycle means just that a motor to ASSIT you
by going to a bigger motor you risk you bike being impounded and paying fines/jail time
lack of pedals also makes it a motorcycle
motor assisted bicycle means just that a motor to ASSIT you
by going to a bigger motor you risk you bike being impounded and paying fines/jail time
The laws vary by location. La law sez a motorized bicycle(nothing about motor assist) can be operated byL pedals or motor or combination of both.I run a 99cc Predator all over New Orleans. No probs with police cuz I don't drive stupid and NOLA police are used to seeing plenty MB's around and mostly ignore them cuz no one understands the La regs on MB's LOL.. I took the 99cc sticker off justin case.
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wayne... read last line in his post...
""I know there is no way to get something street legal that will do what I want in Oregon with their 32cc limit. ""
I highly DOUBT you can find a cop that will swallow that the pred 99cc is under 34cc...
all it takes is one LEO in a bad mood on a power trip that decides he is going to ""TEACH"" you a lesson
""I know there is no way to get something street legal that will do what I want in Oregon with their 32cc limit. ""
I highly DOUBT you can find a cop that will swallow that the pred 99cc is under 34cc...
all it takes is one LEO in a bad mood on a power trip that decides he is going to ""TEACH"" you a lesson
Well, he said he couldn't get the job done being street legal, so I shared my experience.How is the Cop gonna go about proving it's not 34cc anyways?
He'll for sure hafta call supervisor ect. and if he is on a power trip,or not, he'll prolly be reluctant to do that without a good provoked reason.
Unless you've done something realy stupid, (then you deserve the flak) they're not that interested in taking the trouble to deal with it.
JMHO, YMMV Plus, I am an old timer, and with that status I've noticed that one tends to get away with more.. :~)
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