Motorized Velocycle

theamusingnerd

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Jun 12, 2014
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Hello! I have been driving my motorized bike for a while and decided I need a new project. I am thinking about making a 3 wheeled velomobile and putting a 49cc Happy Time kit on it. The only issue is that I do not have a license. If I have pedals, a 49cc engine, and it doesn't do past 20mph :whistle: will it be legal in Arizona. I am thinking that a velomobile would be considered a bike, so I would be fine. Thanks!
 
What will you base your velomobile on? tadpole trike? A rack mount motor kit would likely work better on a tadpole.
I haven't lived in AZ for a few years but I think you need to be 16 years old to ride something motorized on the street.
You could get away with an electric kit on it, but they cost more than gas.
Do you know which velomobile body you want to use?
 
I can pass for 16, so that I don't worry about. So for the question, assume I am 16. The velomobile would be designed and built by me. It has 1 wheel up front and 2 in the rear. I am designing it to use a China girl because parts and the engine themselves are cheap.
 
velomobile riders without engines get harassed by the cops enough as it is, I wouldn't want to push my luck. Besides that, a velomobile can easily go 30+ mph without an engine.
 
velomobile riders without engines get harassed by the cops enough as it is, I wouldn't want to push my luck. Besides that, a velomobile can easily go 30+ mph without an engine.
You make a good point, but a large part of what I would like to go on this is challenge myself to see what I can design and then build. I don't necessarily care about the cops pulling me over as I know most of them in my city and they wouldn't do anything unless it was very illegal, so I am mostly concerned with it being "technically legal". It would mostly be taken to shows and back anyway.
 
if it's going to be all custom anyway I personally would make a custom frame and fit something a little more powerful in it.
 
if it's going to be all custom anyway I personally would make a custom frame and fit something a little more powerful in it.

My original plan was to use a 6.5 HP harbor freight engine, but I was unsure if I would be able to drive it to shows. Do you think I should?
 
That's the route I'd probably go, but then again it's allowed in my state. keep in mind motorized bikes with predator engines are quite a handful and no cop will ever believe that they're under 50cc.
 
I understand that you want to build your own, but here is a site that shows a lot of the currently available velomobiles. The velomobs are listed on the left side and you just click on them for more info.
http://www.velomobilenews.com/
velomobiles.jpg
 
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