Great advice gera, synthetics are better. I'm just too cheap to put out that much money for the good stuff, so I smoke a little, and my bike does too.
fatdaddy.
The Real Deal on California Law.
- Thread starter bairdco
- Start date
fatdaddy.
Thanks gera, I think you're right. I would use half (or less) of the amount I now use per gallon. I'm gonna check it out.
fatdaddy.
Pretty much. But I am still using 32:1 to be on the safe side. I might test it later. I mix about 3 oz Amsoil and 1 oz non-synthetic oil for break for a gallon of gas. It was like 10 dollars for a quart of oil for Amsoil. That seems like average price.
Now with the law, how many of you ride with shorts?
It's so hot outside, I just can't stand jeans, but then jeans would be considered safer than shorts.
What about shirts:
Do you all ride with short sleeved shirts?
Now with the law, how many of you ride with shorts?
It's so hot outside, I just can't stand jeans, but then jeans would be considered safer than shorts.
What about shirts:
Do you all ride with short sleeved shirts?
Levis, a t shirt and an annoying bright safety yellow vest with orange stripes/ reflective stripes.
If I anyone hits me, the classic statement "I didn't see him" would be hard to believe.
I also have a stupidly bright strobe LED light on the front fender.
A Christmas tree effect, not really, but I am still working on it.
I would need a sissy bar on the back for the plastic angel to sit atop though.
That's never happening.
If I anyone hits me, the classic statement "I didn't see him" would be hard to believe.
I also have a stupidly bright strobe LED light on the front fender.
A Christmas tree effect, not really, but I am still working on it.
I would need a sissy bar on the back for the plastic angel to sit atop though.
That's never happening.
Defiantly gonna use Opti2 but the things still in break-in so no synthetic oil and no lean mixes for now
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i usually ride in jeans. t shirts in the summer, jacket in the winter.
i hate riding in shorts, unless its just a quick run to the liquor store.
as far as the "i didn't see him" excuse, you should always ride like you're invisible. even if you make eye contact with a driver, always assume they're still gonna try and run you down.
always think and plan ahead. leave yourself an escape route.
i think a mirror is one of the most important things on a bike. since i already assume they don't see me, no matter how many lights i have or how bright my clothes are, i like to see them coming.
i've seen people barreling down on me, even when i'm doing 45mph, and i'll get out of the way. normally i ride in traffic at the speed limit (disregarding the 30mph bike limit) but this is california. to drivers, 45 means 55.
unless i'm drafting a car down pch at the same speed as the cars around me, i don't assume i have the right of way. if someone wants to go faster, i let them go around me.
it's bad enough i'm traveling fast enough to kill myself on an overpowered bicycle, i don't wanna get run over after i fall.
i don't recommend building 50mph bikes for anyone, but i'm a little crazy when it comes to going fast.
i've also noticed a lot of drivers will give me plenty of room when i'm flying down the street at the same speeds as them. something about a guy doing 50 on a beach cruiser seems to freak them out.
i can't imagine why...
i hate riding in shorts, unless its just a quick run to the liquor store.
as far as the "i didn't see him" excuse, you should always ride like you're invisible. even if you make eye contact with a driver, always assume they're still gonna try and run you down.
always think and plan ahead. leave yourself an escape route.
i think a mirror is one of the most important things on a bike. since i already assume they don't see me, no matter how many lights i have or how bright my clothes are, i like to see them coming.
i've seen people barreling down on me, even when i'm doing 45mph, and i'll get out of the way. normally i ride in traffic at the speed limit (disregarding the 30mph bike limit) but this is california. to drivers, 45 means 55.
unless i'm drafting a car down pch at the same speed as the cars around me, i don't assume i have the right of way. if someone wants to go faster, i let them go around me.
it's bad enough i'm traveling fast enough to kill myself on an overpowered bicycle, i don't wanna get run over after i fall.
i don't recommend building 50mph bikes for anyone, but i'm a little crazy when it comes to going fast.
i've also noticed a lot of drivers will give me plenty of room when i'm flying down the street at the same speeds as them. something about a guy doing 50 on a beach cruiser seems to freak them out.
i can't imagine why...
50mph on a BICYCLE? Well, I guess we ALL can't be sane.
I've been on two wheel since I was 10, and the best advice I ever got came from an old Red&White friend. YOU ARE INVISABLE, They will look straight at you and not see you. So far, so good. No wrecks with cars.
fatdaddy.
I've been on two wheel since I was 10, and the best advice I ever got came from an old Red&White friend. YOU ARE INVISABLE, They will look straight at you and not see you. So far, so good. No wrecks with cars.
fatdaddy.
I agree with much of what you wrote in the post above and I think in general with many of the posts of yours I recall seeing. One thing I have a hard time understanding though is why anyone thinks it's much of a big deal to go "fast" on a motorized bicycle? I've been on motorcycles at 115mph, cars to 130. It seems to me motor assisted bicycles are perfectly suited as LSVs, efficient, cost effective local utility. If a real need for speed is what one is after, aren't MABs just a bit under-achievers?
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it's usually not the speed that's the issue, but the integrity of the bike itself.
a lot of people think you can put a really fast motor on a $100 bike and still be safe.
some of the builds i've seen around, i'd be afraid to pedal them fast, much less ride them at 30+...
a lot of people think you can put a really fast motor on a $100 bike and still be safe.
some of the builds i've seen around, i'd be afraid to pedal them fast, much less ride them at 30+...
And the design.
20 is fast enough on the 20" wheel Revive with me perched way up high. Also the speed the happy time is pretty much vibration free.
Electrics are so smooth I just want to go faster, so I am building the 29 incher. Also has the stability for 30 mph.
Yeah, smooth and stable is good -
I never want to go over 30 on a bicycle. That's what motorcycles are for.
20 is fast enough on the 20" wheel Revive with me perched way up high. Also the speed the happy time is pretty much vibration free.
Electrics are so smooth I just want to go faster, so I am building the 29 incher. Also has the stability for 30 mph.
Yeah, smooth and stable is good -
I never want to go over 30 on a bicycle. That's what motorcycles are for.
gera, all my bikes are rigid. no suspension forks or frames. i just build them rock solid on heavy duty old american made frames and worksman wheels.
GOOD NEWS EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! http://apps.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/dl655/dl665mcycle.pdf look on page 3!
This is what it says in the 2012 California DMV handbook
Motorized Bicycles
There are two definitions for motorized bicycles (mopeds).
A motorized bicycle is:
• A two or three-wheeled device, capable of no more than 30 mph on level ground, and equipped with:
– Fully operative pedals for human propulsion.
– A motor producing less than two gross brake horsepower and an automatic transmission.
– An electric motor, with or without pedals for human propulsion. (CVC §406(a))
• A vehicle with pedals and an electric motor (not more than 1,000 watts) which cannot be driven at speeds of more than 20 mph on level ground even if assisted by human power. (CVC §406(b))
If you operate a motorized bicycle which meets the definition of CVC §406(b), you:
• Must be 16 years of age or older.
• Must wear a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet.
• Are exempt from the motor vehicle financial responsibility, driver license, and moped plate requirements. (CVC §12804.9)
You may ride a moped in a bicycle lane at a reasonable speed.
Be careful of bicyclists using the lane.
This is what it says in the 2012 California DMV handbook
Motorized Bicycles
There are two definitions for motorized bicycles (mopeds).
A motorized bicycle is:
• A two or three-wheeled device, capable of no more than 30 mph on level ground, and equipped with:
– Fully operative pedals for human propulsion.
– A motor producing less than two gross brake horsepower and an automatic transmission.
– An electric motor, with or without pedals for human propulsion. (CVC §406(a))
• A vehicle with pedals and an electric motor (not more than 1,000 watts) which cannot be driven at speeds of more than 20 mph on level ground even if assisted by human power. (CVC §406(b))
If you operate a motorized bicycle which meets the definition of CVC §406(b), you:
• Must be 16 years of age or older.
• Must wear a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet.
• Are exempt from the motor vehicle financial responsibility, driver license, and moped plate requirements. (CVC §12804.9)
You may ride a moped in a bicycle lane at a reasonable speed.
Be careful of bicyclists using the lane.
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What is the good news?
Exclamation point abuse should be a serious offense!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
406 (b) refers to ebikes not gas powered bikes.
ebikes don't need a drivers license, license plate and you only have to be 16 and wear a bicycle helmet.
406 (a) Gas powered bikes require an M2 or M1 license.
$19 one time fee license plate.
DOT helmet.
Exclamation point abuse should be a serious offense!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
406 (b) refers to ebikes not gas powered bikes.
ebikes don't need a drivers license, license plate and you only have to be 16 and wear a bicycle helmet.
406 (a) Gas powered bikes require an M2 or M1 license.
$19 one time fee license plate.
DOT helmet.
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This is what is says on PAGE 3.....
LICENSE
REQUIREmENTS
California issues the following license classes for two-wheel vehicle
operation:
• Class M1—You may operate
any two-wheel motorcycle,
motor-driven cycle, or motorized
scooter and all vehicles listed
under Class M2.
NOTE: The permit and license
requirements in this handbook
pertain to two-wheel vehicles
and are referenced in Section 12804.9
of the California Vehicle Code.
• Class M2—You may operate any
motorized bicycle, moped, or a
bicycle with an attached motor,
or a motorized scooter
Well the Good News Was I confused a cop with itWhat is the good news?
Exclamation point abuse should be a serious offense!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
406 (b) refers to ebikes not gas powered bikes.
ebikes don't need a drivers license, license plate and you only have to be 16 and wear a bicycle helmet.
406 (a) Gas powered bikes require an M2 or M1 license.
$19 one time fee license plate.
DOT helmet.
This thread has some interesting points even if they are somewhat off subject. A couple of themes that keep coming up are just because you are legal, (minimum lights, plates, mirror(s) M1 license, I don't think anyone gets an M2) it doesn't necessarily mean you are safe, and regardless of the build, it is up to us to be safe regardless how fast our bikes are capable of. I have been riding for just about two years and in some ways I think I have made every mistake in the book as far as buying the wrong frame, the wrong engine etc. But... one of the things I have learned is to respect the bike. I know my cheap 26" Chinese cruiser with a 66 cc china girl is good to 25 mph even though I know it will go well over 30. After 25 it just doesn't seem like a good idea! This was aluded to earlier when someone said that they wouldn't feel safe peddling some bikes fast much less running them with an engine! I think it's this lack of respect for the bike where many get into trouble. I would like to believe that the guys who are capable of building a 45, 50 mph bike also know what they are doing once they are on it and I suppose the ultimate compliment is if you are used to going 25 and get on a 45 mph bike and actually feel somewhat safe then someone has done one **** of a job building it! My next one will be a four stroke and cruising comfortably at 30 relatively vibration free will be the goal. Thanks for reading, thanks for listening, always open to suggestions.