Hello everyone! I am a motor-bicycling virgin so my question may seem ridiculous. but here goes: I was injured while overseas and both kneecaps got dislocated. I love my bike, and now it is also part of my PT. Because of my friggin' knees, riding isn't quite as joyous as it used to be. So I was thinking of getting a motor for my bike but couldn't decide between gas and electric and then I thought why not both? Has anyone tried this? Physically, they both would fit, but I don't know about the rest, i.e, gearing, etc. Can anyone please point me in a useful direction? Thanks so much in advance for your help!
I'm New, So Take It Easy :)
- Thread starter Spankler
- Start date
JerryAssburger
Active Member
Welcome to the Forum! Sorry about your knee injury. Get well quick!
If I were to approach a Dual-Powered Bicycle setup, I'd try a 48V/1000w front hub-motor along with a 4-stroke motor kit. My reasoning is that since you have knee issues, you'd lean towards pull-start. That's just my opinion, take it with a pound of salt. A LOT is going to depend on your existing bike and your funds.
I have a 1000w Violamart rear hub-motor setup on an old 26" MTB. It has a "20-Amo Hour -ish" battery pack. Together they ran me $400. It can hit almost 30mph and REASONABLY gives me about a 10 mile range if I don't get stupid with it. Be prepared to PAY when it comes to the battery pack. The cheaper ones get pretty creative with their amp-hour ratings if you know what I mean.
I've never gotten to mess with a 49cc 4-stroke kit, but they seem the better way to go for your situation.
Best of luck. These things are addictive fun.
If I were to approach a Dual-Powered Bicycle setup, I'd try a 48V/1000w front hub-motor along with a 4-stroke motor kit. My reasoning is that since you have knee issues, you'd lean towards pull-start. That's just my opinion, take it with a pound of salt. A LOT is going to depend on your existing bike and your funds.
I have a 1000w Violamart rear hub-motor setup on an old 26" MTB. It has a "20-Amo Hour -ish" battery pack. Together they ran me $400. It can hit almost 30mph and REASONABLY gives me about a 10 mile range if I don't get stupid with it. Be prepared to PAY when it comes to the battery pack. The cheaper ones get pretty creative with their amp-hour ratings if you know what I mean.
I've never gotten to mess with a 49cc 4-stroke kit, but they seem the better way to go for your situation.
Best of luck. These things are addictive fun.
Welcome to our world, Spankler.
I've done old-school lead batteries(heavy!) with electric hub in the front wheel.
The bike first weighed 45lbs and ended up @ 125lbs.
Its top speed was about 27mph, with a 54-mile range.
Modern batteries would have lightened the bike.
I've also done rear friction drive, and front and rear friction drive.
These used quality Mitsubishi 43cc engines.
Top speed/cruising speed was a smooth steady 39mph.
This was the same 45lb cruiser bike.
Also did a midframe 2-stroke Tanaka engine on a mountain bike.
Engine power transmitted thru the bike's 8-speed transmission.
Cruising speed 35mph.
Most fun of all my bikes.
It was like a 70lb. motorcycle.
I'm presently involved in a 212cc/4 stroke midframe engine.
Being a first-time player with bad knees, I'd recommend a simple 49cc 4-stroke kit, like Jerry suggested.
Then the second bike can be more radical!
Have fun!
I've done old-school lead batteries(heavy!) with electric hub in the front wheel.
The bike first weighed 45lbs and ended up @ 125lbs.
Its top speed was about 27mph, with a 54-mile range.
Modern batteries would have lightened the bike.
I've also done rear friction drive, and front and rear friction drive.
These used quality Mitsubishi 43cc engines.
Top speed/cruising speed was a smooth steady 39mph.
This was the same 45lb cruiser bike.
Also did a midframe 2-stroke Tanaka engine on a mountain bike.
Engine power transmitted thru the bike's 8-speed transmission.
Cruising speed 35mph.
Most fun of all my bikes.
It was like a 70lb. motorcycle.
I'm presently involved in a 212cc/4 stroke midframe engine.
Being a first-time player with bad knees, I'd recommend a simple 49cc 4-stroke kit, like Jerry suggested.
Then the second bike can be more radical!
Have fun!
Welcome to the Forum! Dual power sources is a good choice for a number of reasons, getting home in case a break down is most important in my case (84 and counting). I have two dual powered bikes which I have labeled Hybrid bikes. The first is a Schwinn Beach Cruiser with a common China Girl 2 stroke and a electric hub motor on the front wheel. The other is a Gasbike Rover, 4 stroke pull starter with the usual front electric wheel and I love riding them equally well. The two throttle setup is easy to master and they can be manipulated to handle any situation. This video demonstrates what I my getting at.
Last edited:
wrench
Well-Known Member
Welcome Spankler,
A Hybrid is a great Idea and many have done it.
Electric wheel up front and gas drive to the rear
Use the Electric to get up to speed then pop the clutch and use the gas.
When in areas where the gas motors are not allowed (bicycle trails, sidewalks) use the electric.
When ya get back to the road switch to gas. Perfect for all areas
A Hybrid is a great Idea and many have done it.
Electric wheel up front and gas drive to the rear
Use the Electric to get up to speed then pop the clutch and use the gas.
When in areas where the gas motors are not allowed (bicycle trails, sidewalks) use the electric.
When ya get back to the road switch to gas. Perfect for all areas
Sidewinder Jerry
Well-Known Member
In the event you wanted to do a rear rack mount Staton Inc makes a hybrid gear box. The main purpose of the electric motor is to assist the gas engine.
WECSOG
Member
I agree with this. 2 stroke engine, start out on electric and once you are moving, release the clutch to start the engine. That way you don't have to mess with a pull start, nor with pedaling to start. Ride on electric when you want to be quiet, add some pedal power when you feel like it, and start the gas engine when you need the extra power (hill climbing, etc).
Also, if the batteries are getting low you can run on just the gas motor and use the front hubmotor to partially recharge the batteries.
This is a long tread but some where in the latter part is a hybrid build that is really nice.............Curt
motorbicycling.com
Old Guys Simplex moto-peddle bike
New guy here with a few bits and pieces from a 1957 Simplex Servicycle. Been sitting in a barn for the last 35 years. It's fortunate this barn is located in S.W. Oklahoma and it's extremely dry here. There is rust for sure, mostly surface, yet the frame and roll bars are solid. Missing motor...
motorbicycling.com