Hi from Tennessee

[Mechgirl]

Hello everyone.
I just came across this forum while searching for "parts diagram Mitsubishi TLE43" and I found the very helpful post about that engine in the technical & troubleshooting section of the forum. Thanks to all those who contributed to that.

I'd come across this forum before, in other searches, but never had time to sign up. Now that it's winter...

I've been wrenching on bikes since I was 7 years old, and been a professional bike mechanic since 1993.
I built my first, and only, motorized 2-cycle engine bike with a Staton chain drive kit in 2007.
I live in the mountains, so I mainly work on MTBs. There are a few roadies around here, but BBQ grilling outnumbers cycling in popularity by about 100,000:1 (that's my conservative guess anyways).

I look forward to browsing the forum for some ideas and inspiration.
Happy Trails to all,
Mechgirl

 

[sawdust]

welcome to the forum..do you have any pictures of your bike?

 

[Sidewinder Jerry]

Do you ever come to Oak Ridge? Most of the streets have a 25 mph speed limit. Lots of great seenery here.

 

[wheelbender6]

Welcome to the forum. The perspective of a professional bike mechanic will be very helpful to us.

 

[Mechgirl]

Thank you for the replies.

Oak Ridge is a bit far. I'm in the Ducktown area.
I use the motor bike to commute to the shop during rafting season, 20 mile round trip with a steep gravel road over a mountain pass.

There are lots of great mountain bike trails in our area too, but I still ride un-motorized on the trails.
Saw a guy on an E-bike on one of the trails this past weekend. First time I've spotted one of those here.





These pictures are from January 2012.
The bike has sat in a state of dis-repair since spring of last year, when the clutch shoes gave out again and the cheap China-made shoes I got on Ebay didn't work.

I just got some replacement clutch shoes from Staton but haven't had a chance to put them on yet.
The little work shop is full of bikes and until I get those built and/or repaired, I can't even get my bike through the door

 

[Sidewinder Jerry]

So you're around the Georgia and North Carolina lines. In the corner so to speak. I use a Staton system also. The hills here are steep and I'm big so I needed a shift kit. Like you I use it a lot going to the store. Baskets are great aren't they. However I only ride on paved roads. Hope you get your bike going soon. Make some videos riding the trails if you can. I use my cell phone in a bicycle cell phone holder for now to make my videos.

 

[Mechgirl]

So you're around the Georgia and North Carolina lines. In the corner so to speak. I use a Staton system also. The hills here are steep and I'm big so I needed a shift kit...snip

Yup, in the corner; 2 miles to North Carolina and 8 miles to Georgia.

What shift kit did you get?
How well do you like it?

 

[Sidewinder Jerry]

I got the Staton shift kit. Had White Industry Trails freewheels put in it. I set my bike up to shift 5 gears automatically so that I meet Tennessee automatic transmission requirement. I really like the fact David's shift kit is a double freewheel design.
.

 

[Mechgirl]

I got the Staton shift kit. Had White Industry Trails freewheels put in it. I set my bike up to shift 5 gears automatically so that I meet Tennessee automatic transmission requirement. I really like the fact David's shift kit is a double freewheel design.
.

Is this the kit you are referring to, except with a different brand of freewheel?

 

[Sidewinder Jerry]

Yes it is. David can put whatever brand of freewheels you want in it. The WI Trails freewheels are extremely strong but expensive. You're bike looks like its uses an outside drive gearbox. You have to have an inside drive to use the shift kit.

However at one time he did sell a seven speed shifting system for an outside drive. You'd just have to call him about it.

http://www.staton-inc.com/store/products/Guard_for_7_Speed_OUTSIDE_Drive_Shift_Kit-1028-36.html