2 Stroke or 4 stroke. Can't make up my mind.

[ZnsaneRyder]

That's a lot of miles. I was doing the same miles or more on mine, (bike w/trailer) and found myself to be replacing tires on the bike VERY often, along with bearings, belt, and tires on the trailer. I got another bike from wearing my old one out.

Much like 5-7HEAVEN says, I'm going for 2 gas bikes for reliability. I'm building another bike now, and sticking with 4 stroke for the lack of oil mixing and better running and starting than a 2 stroke. For LOTS of miles, it's not good if you forget your mix oil with a 2-stroke. At least you can just pedal-and-fill with a 4 stroke if you run out of gas. 2 bikes gives you the ability to keep riding when one breaks.

I know legality may be an issue, so I'd choose a HondaGXH50 engine or similar 4-stroke over a 2-stroke 50cc any day.

 

[M_Saint]

Yup after speaking to some vendors on the phone I am going with a HondaGXH50 from smallenginewarehouse.com and the kit and heavy hub and drum brake from bicycle-engines.com. My local bike dealer ordered in several cruisers from a scratch and dent list for me to choose from. (hopefully one of them will have enough frame room for the 4 stroke). I was also told that I can tap some voltage from the engine for a lithium ion charging system for my light batteries on the 4 stroke.

All I need to source now is some brake light switches.

So now as long as everything goes well with getting it tittled as a moped I will be a happy camper

 

[Mountainman]

man -- that's a whole lot of -- riding that thing

Well my friend, since you asked for opinions.

I think a 30 mile commute 5 days a week on a motorized bicycle is beyond the scope of what they are intended for.

Don't mean to be a wet blanket here but I wonder if you've thought this through? I can go out and put 20 or 30 miles on one of my bikes but I take all afternoon if I need to and stop when I want and sometimes alter my route to get away from traffic.

Stick with Robin, Honda, Mitsu, Tanaka.

I am thinking pretty close with Happy Valley here

sure a 30 mile commute on a motorized bicycle -- can be done

but -- can we say easily done -- we think not

there is a place that I travel to often on my motor bike
it's about 20 miles from the old mountain
taking into account -- some stops and hills along the way
it takes me close to 1 1/2 hours to get there

guess the question for you may be --
are you planning for a 3 to 4 hour (both ways) ride each day ?

your new post (just above) just beat me in here
I see you have picked the Honda 50
good choice -- and will have a much better high speed than my Robin 35cc
that will help with your time traveled

man -- that's a whole lot of -- riding that thing

 

[andyinchville1]

HI,

For possibly the best of both worlds (2 stroke power and reliability), I'd go with a Morini engine....less than 50CC but available with MEGA power....A little pricey BUT I'm sure alot of FUN....Easy Rider has two builds with this engine.

Hope this helps.

Andrew

 

[5-7HEAVEN]

For a 43 yo guy in reasonably good shape, it is do-able.[/QUOTE]

Maybe do-able, but not fun. Sorta like riding a horse many miles to work.

We have co-workers living 35 miles from work. It would save a lot of gas using a MB to commute.

However, it all depends on the traffic. If it's light and the roads are good, the ride might be enjoyable. If traffic is snarly, it's hazardous to your health.

 

[Mountainman]

true blast of a machine

I'd go with a Morini engine....less than 50CC but available with MEGA power...

yes -- I have also been dreaming about one of these

don'r like the way in which (one model) the muffler sweeps up
looks to be a leg burner
could be wrong -- just wondering while looking at the picture

but man oh man

that THING would get one to where ever SO MUCH FASTER

looks to be a true blast of a machine !!!

ride that thing

 

[Accender]

4 stroke for the win.

A

 

[jg767]

I' vebeen going 50 miles round trip 4 or 5 times a week all winter, aslow as 5 degrees,I' m used to it now, I guess it beats skiiing! THe staton chain drive with the tanaka40cc is holding up well, still on my first chain. But to get around a little faster I just bought a 9.4 hp Morini, thinking of putting it on a Motobecane Fantom 29er from bikesdirect.com, the bigger tires are said to really smooth out the bumps, Ifthe morini is as reliable as the tanaka I'll be tickled pink! I really just love 2 strokes!

 

[chrisnbush]

This thread might be dead (!) but I am not. I have now 1600+ miles on my DAX engine, i replaced the stock upper wrist pin bearings with is performance bearings (which had nubs on the cage), and I haven't had a problem - have been commuting 30 miles roundtrip to work, it takes 45 minutes max. But I don't have to deal with much traffic.

Problems I had: I broke a master link at 150 miles, had to replace the CDI at 250 (this is highly unusual), and had to put a new rear wheel on it ($70 from Spookytooth) at 1150. As I had about 1500 on the bike already, and my last wheel was a piece of **** from Let-It-Roll, I don't consider the wheel (or the CDI) as a negative. And the master link was my own fault from re-using the same one too many times (I knew the clip was weak)- back from when I bought my first engine and messed around with a number of builds.

I am psyched at 1600, going for 2K... At some point, thinking about replacing the wrist pin at least, as this is the only thing I can SEE that wears. But for the trouble, a new engine at about 100 with shipping in the fall almost makes sense.

Chris