New guy from idaho!

[Aidan]

Hey everybody, I've been using this forum for a little while now to research my soon to be primary mode of transport (a new motorized bike!)

I'm selling my car and buying one because since moving to idaho, it's taken forever to get my nurses aide certification transferred from CT and I need money sooner rather than later, that and these bikes are super cool. Once I move to BSU I figure it will be better than a car too.

im having someone from craigslist put my bike together for me so I don't mess it up, it's a 48cc 2 stroke engine and I don't know the specific make/model.

i look forward to being a member here!

 

[darwin]

Check out Idaho's laws pardner, if they're like WAs you might want to think about it. Welcome to the forum.

 

[Aidan]

Idaho has fairly non-specific laws about these bikes, but I plan to go to the DMV and check if I need to get it registered and such. From what I've read however they're treated as bicycles by the law for the most part.

 

[bluegoatwoods]

Welcome to the forum.

It's best, of course, if your local laws actually recognize these as being legal. But from what I can gather, the police really are not all that concerned either way as long as the rider gives that 'vibe' of being a considerate member of the traffic community. Individual results will vary, yes. But this is a good rule of thumb.

The only other thing that I'd recommend is that you be prepared to maintain this bike yourself. And it'll need some tinkering. Mostly as you get to know the bicycle/engine combo.

But here's the good news; it's not all that difficult. Though it'll be frustrating at times. But it's worth it.

Have fun.

 

[Aidan]

On that note, what should I expect to do as far as regular maintenance? For example, how often should I replace the spark plug and what else needs doing at regular intervals?

 

[butre]

The only regular maintenance you're likely to need is to run it once a month or so and make sure all the bolts are tightened properly. Other than that, the only thing you're likely to have regular issues with is gaskets, and you'll know when those go.

If you can, run ethanol-free gas only, or at least mostly.

 

[bluegoatwoods]

Probably the biggest headache for the newbie is stuff loosening up and moving around. As butre alluded to above.

One piece of advice; make sure your engine stays exactly where you put it. You'll be able to tell if the guy you hired to build it is worth his salt this way. If that engine is not rock solid, then you'd have been better off building it yourself. And engine that leans over, or moves around in other ways, will give all sorts of trouble.

Your rear axle might well move a bit (usually forward) under load. It might or might not happen quickly. This loosens your drive chain. Then you've got the thing popping off while riding. Or damaging the cover of the drive gear. Other parts of the bike/engine combo might loosen. Something surely will.

So work on getting practiced at inspections. Once you learn your bike's 'vibration weak points', it'll become second nature.

Clutch and magneto cover gaskets are pretty poor on these engines. You want to weather seal them. I remove them and lay a bead of RTV silicone in their place. Keeps things nice and dry.

There's more. But I'd take up too much space here and I'd surely forget something.

So get familiar with your bike. You'll find things that you can figure out and you'll find other stuff that stumps you. But you'll find helpful folks here who can advise.

Don't let me be discouraging; it's really not all that hard at all. The reward far outweighs the investment.

 

[Aidan]

Thanks! I'll keep that in mind, as soon as I get the bike with engine and all (by Tuesday I expect) I'll give it a good once over to check it's all been tightened and fastened down properly. Then I'll look into weather sealing. I'm new to he engine maintenance scene so hopefully there's a good owners manual and videos on YouTube.

 

[velzie]

you'll find helpful folks here who can advise.

True, although some are not so helpful The info in this forum will help you a lot.

it's really not all that hard at all. The reward far outweighs the investment.

Very true.

 

[ua2pants]

Thanks! I'll keep that in mind, as soon as I get the bike with engine and all (by Tuesday I expect) I'll give it a good once over to check it's all been tightened and fastened down properly. Then I'll look into weather sealing. I'm new to he engine maintenance scene so hopefully there's a good owners manual and videos on YouTube.

that last part made me laugh a little bit. unfortunately there are no owners manuals as the "instructions" with these kits generally have the basics for putting it together, they are far from perfect. the best way to learn is to put one together yourself and figure out how each component works with each other to make it work well. if something ever breaks or you cant figure something out, you can always come back here and ask and there are lots of people that will assist you.