Finally pulled the trigger!

[Warner]

Okay folks...as much talking as I've done here...I finally pulled the trigger and ordered my Staton kit. I went with the outside drive kit (the standard kit) with the Mitsubishi TLE43 engine and I told them I want it geared to CRUISE at 30mph with a top speed of around 40mph, and that I was willing to pedal up to 10mph or so to get things going. I also ordered their 48 spoke, 1" wide Ryno Lite wheel since I'm running road tires on my mountain bike that are only 1.25" wide (less rolling resistance and better fuel economy, plus much easier to pedal). I figured since I'm blowing a bunch of cash on this thing, why not splurge and order the tach/hour meter as well for another $36, right? I will (of course) keep everyone here up on how long it takes to get the kit, how difficult it is to install, and then info on how I like it and if I get into trouble with it!

Warner


PS - Now I'm thinking about what type of bag (s) I'm going to use. Performance has some nice Waterproof panniers on sale for $65, but I'd only need ONE of the two. Anyone interested in splitting the cost and getting a single bag? Here's the one I'm thinking about - if anyone has an opinion about or experience with this one, let me know:

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=23828&estore_ID=1754

 

[eljefino]

sounds great but look out for gravel; pinch flats really get the narrow tires.

 

[Warner]

sounds great but look out for gravel; pinch flats really get the narrow tires.

Yeah...I figure I'll give them a try and see how it goes. It shouldn't be any different than riding a road bike though. Proper inflation is critical - pinch flats usually come when the pressure is too low. I can always put bigger tires on if I want to (I have them in fact...I replaced them with the skinnies)


Warner

 

[Warner]

Okay, I never thought I'd say this....OR think this way, but here's my thought. I actually kind of WANT the bike to look a little nerdy.....because I think that if it looks more nerdy than cool, I'll get hassled a LOT less. I WANT to look like a commuter geek....that's essentially what I'm going to BE, after all! Just my thought. I may even do some mild cammo to the engine....make is less noticable. I've seen some REAL good jobs with that on here. Form over function...and NERD is IN! Haha.

Warner

 

[Large Filipino]

Go with MAN LAW!!!

NO GEEKY!!!

NO!!!!

 

[Warner]

Okay....just got off the phone with Staton and he told me the kit should ship on Monday. If that's true it's perfect timing. In my original order, they ask what your weight is, the terrain you'll be using it on, and what you want your speed to be. I told them I'm about 180, our terrain is FLAT, and that I wanted to cruise at 30 with a top speed of about 40. In speaking with him today, he told that IS the upper limit and that I would have to pedal to get started (or burn up the clutch - my choice). I WANT to pedal to get started, so that fits perfectly with my plan. He told me that he has a customer using the same Mitsu engine that I'm ordering and has an 18 tooth sprocket and he runs at 43mph. Cool. I'll keep everyone posted once the parts start coming together.....


Warner

 

[SirJakesus]

Are you sure you want to go that fast on a bicycle? The most I've had my bike up to is 37 downhill and its pretty sketchy. So unless you have a top end downhill MTB with long travel suspension you'd better be careful. You'll definitely love the tle43 and staton kit though. It just sounds to me like you're going to be stressing that engine out a bit more than necessary by loading it so much at any speeds around or below 20mph. Thats a bunch of pedaling and NO hills at all.

 

[Warner]

Are you sure you want to go that fast on a bicycle? The most I've had my bike up to is 37 downhill and its pretty sketchy. So unless you have a top end downhill MTB with long travel suspension you'd better be careful. You'll definitely love the tle43 and staton kit though. It just sounds to me like you're going to be stressing that engine out a bit more than necessary by loading it so much at any speeds around or below 20mph. Thats a bunch of pedaling and NO hills at all.

Well, I guess I'll try it out and see. I'd like to be able to cruise at 30 without having the engine totally wound out. If the gear proves to be too tall, I will buy a smaller gear. I'm going to try it as is first though.....we'll see! I'm just winging it. Like I said if it doesn't work out it's just a matter of changing the gear out. Thanks for the advice.....appreciate it!

Warner

 

[jimmyglitter]

I may even do some mild cammo to the engine....make is less noticable. I've seen some REAL good jobs with that on here. Form over function...and NERD is IN! Haha.

Warner

Here is my cammo job.
http://www.motoredbikes.com/showthread.php?t=11377

 

[Warner]

Here is my cammo job.
http://www.motoredbikes.com/showthread.php?t=11377

Thanks for the link to your cammo job. No cooling issues, huh? Did you ever finish by trying to quiet the engine further as you mentioned in your post? I'm thinking about using some stainless steel perforated metal that I have from my work....have to poke around in the garage and see what it looks like again. I think the engine disguise should look like SOMETHING. I saw a guy up in Canada that was using a meshy net over his engine and had saddlebags and other bags all over the bike.....you really couldn't tell at first glance that it even HAD an engine....really good job he did.

Warner