I need help with choosing a kit for touring

[powerstroke]

Greetings all.

I am ready to embark on a new Adventure, and would like to do so on a motorized bike like what you ride. I will be travelling for at least two weeks, carrying a bicycle trailer with tent/sleeping gear and cooking supplies and the bike stocked up with bags carrying other items that I will need.

What motor/kit shall I use? I have been thinking about the Chinese 4 stroke 49cc kit, but replace the engine with a Honda GHX50 engine. But I am not entirely sure its that easy, as the chinese version may not be an exact replica of the honda, meaning the kit will not let it fit. Am I right?

Another Idea is take the front off of a small Honda ct110, weld a bicycle trailer hitch onto it, extent some cables and use it as a push trailer.


I will want to cruise fast along highways, and climb well in hilly areas. (40mph+ while pulling trailer)


So my main question is, can you guide me to the right decision with buying a reliable setup to hit the road. If you have an engine you would prefer to recommend, can you also point me to a kit in which I can install the engine? Or visa versa.

Yours trly,

Powerstroke

 

[jbcruisin]

I'd use a Harbor freight engine & an EZ drive.

 

[Fabian]

I will want to cruise fast along highways, and climb well in hilly areas. (40mph+ while pulling trailer)

You have chosen the wrong type of transportation method by looking at your requirements.
In no way at all should you be even attempting to do these kind of speeds on a motorized bicycle let alone with the extra weight of a bicycle trailer.

You should be looking at no more than 30 mph as a maximum top speed but preferably keeping 25 mph as a sensible maximum speed.

and

You should not even think of motorizing a bicycle unless it has front and rear disk brakes.

 

[jbcruisin]

all my bikes have front drum & rear coaster brakes. 3 of them will do 50 mph. I've never had a problem stopping.

 

[wheelbender6]

I would go with a four stroke kit for touring. No mixing gas and oil.

 

[Fabian]

all my bikes have front drum & rear coaster brakes. 3 of them will do 50 mph. I've never had a problem stopping.

50 mph

With that comment alone, i cannot give any further advise, considering there are times when my motorized bicycle is working it's guts out just to push 8 mph, not to mention that my bike is fitted with front and rear disk brakes; running the largest (available) front disk rotor and mechanical brake system, which is barely up to the job when it comes to stopping the bike and trailer.

If you haven't had any problems making a panic stop with drum and coaster brakes then it seems like physics is different in your part of the world compared to my part of the world.

 

[Deleted member 12676]

Just as long as the brakes are something better than those that use pads pressing against the rim. Well, maybe for the rear that is OK but the front needs something stronger.
50cc is pretty weak in a 4 stroke but they are more reliable than the chinese 2 strokes. I would look for something around 100cc in a 4 stroke.

 

[powerstroke]

Just as long as the brakes are something better than those that use pads pressing against the rim. Well, maybe for the rear that is OK but the front needs something stronger.
50cc is pretty weak in a 4 stroke but they are more reliable than the chinese 2 strokes. I would look for something around 100cc in a 4 stroke.

I can't find any engine of that capacity in Australia, for a bicycle. I lack DIY skills so is there a kit I can buy like that?

Also what do you think of the motorbike push trailer idea? Lets forget cops for a moment.

 

[grinningremlin]

I'd look at a GEBE with a 40 to 47cc 2 stroke, or 50cc 4 stroke.I believe there is (used to be??) an equivalent company down under.It's light, simple, and reliable; you could buy the large and small gears for different terrain.It's a quick chore to swap out, and a good time for a stretch/walkaround.
Push trailers look cool, but more complex from what I can see.It'd need it's own brakes, and I'd still be worried about a runaway.Weight is going to be your enemy and a push trailer is going to be heavy if the engine dies, though big HP would be nice.Good luck.

 

[powerstroke]

I'd look at a GEBE with a 40 to 47cc 2 stroke, or 50cc 4 stroke.I believe there is (used to be??) an equivalent company down under.It's light, simple, and reliable; you could buy the large and small gears for different terrain.It's a quick chore to swap out, and a good time for a stretch/walkaround.
Push trailers look cool, but more complex from what I can see.It'd need it's own brakes, and I'd still be worried about a runaway.Weight is going to be your enemy and a push trailer is going to be heavy if the engine dies, though big HP would be nice.Good luck.

Hi grinningremlin,

Thanks for your input but the only problem I see with a 50cc engine is that when I'm pulling a small trailer full of stuff especially up hills, the poor engine will struggle at 5 mph and possibly overheat. The GEBE engines look good for riding around town but the only reason I would like an engine on my bike is speed, to cover more distance and climb hills not that I can't pedal or anything.

Cheers