Breaking in a new motor- how do you keep the speed low?

put some bmx handle bars on your bike then your sitting up i have them on mine very comfortable i would never use any other handle bar
I couldn't agree more. I've done BMX bars on mountain bikes for city crusing. Should work just great on a motorbike.
 
Well, it must be breaking in, because now that I have 25miles on it, it's got more power, running smoother, and top end is 30mph, (may be a little higher, but I'm limiting anything over 20mph to 30 seconds or less). I think this little engine will be GREAT fun, and I may actually use it practically. I really need to get a beach cruiser or something like that, and put a rack or a basket on it. Not cool, but if it can't carry at least a bag of groceries, it's a toy. Right now it's on a skinny tire ten speed (only thing I had). The advantage is the gears are on the headset/gooseneck so I didn't have to remove or modify them, but I don't use them anyway so a beach cruiser is on my list. More comfortable upright riding position.

You could make a rack and mount some panniers (saddlebags) like I did...and keep the skinny tire ten speed. I was using 1.25" tires and it was fine. Here's some photos of my bike with the panniers....engine essentially hidden:

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd265/warners_photos/MAB34.jpg

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd265/warners_photos/MAB28.jpg

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd265/warners_photos/MAB21.jpg

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd265/warners_photos/MAB19.jpg

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd265/warners_photos/MAB20.jpg


Warner
 
nashbar.com has awesome riser/cruiser bars for $15. I have them on a pro mountainbike with a 50mm stem, and I love it. They are a little higher than the seat now. I used to have flat bars but got tired of sore back and muscle aches from off road maneuvering. Now I feel like i have more control.

My MB has generic bmx bar on it at the same height. Nice to switch between the two now.

I couldn't agree more. I've done BMX bars on mountain bikes for city crusing. Should work just great on a motorbike.
 
Thanks for bringing up this older post. Cool how that engine is hidden on the road bike!
I find the mountain bike position hard on my back, so I made some that come up and back.
 
Thats great. If you want to hide the battery, there are those famous little $15 roll bags, or cheap motorcycle handle bar bags, or even "men's travel bags", like you would put a shaving kit in. I'm going to use a lunchbox for now. I tried a tool bag, but it would rub on the front tire.

Dollar stores have little zip bags that is the perfect size for a 7AH 12v battery.

You could make a rack and mount some panniers (saddlebags) like I did...and keep the skinny tire ten speed. I was using 1.25" tires and it was fine. Here's some photos of my bike with the panniers....engine essentially hidden:

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd265/warners_photos/MAB34.jpg

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd265/warners_photos/MAB28.jpg

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd265/warners_photos/MAB21.jpg

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd265/warners_photos/MAB19.jpg

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd265/warners_photos/MAB20.jpg


Warner
 
Back on the subject of running in. I think that everyone is right.
I'm generally an advocate of following the manufacturers instructions, then you can't go wrong, (most of the time).
Having said that, an engine will do most of the important running in a very short time. As mentioned by Pablo and Jemma, running the engine at WOT for short bursts won't hurt anything. It beats running it constantly at low RPM under low load and allows the parts to settle in under normal operating conditions.
The run-in follows an exponential curve, with a rapid change initially and the rate gradually slowing.
Be a bit careful for the first tank or two.
I pulled my top-end down a couple of weeks ago after 280km and the top ring was beginning to bed in, but the bottom ring looked new, so they take a while to settle. Everything else would be pretty right by now.
330km, (206 miles), so far and counting.

To keep your speed low, just ride up steeper hills.

... Steve
 
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It's tempting to fly down roads with a slight down-slope at 26+ mph, but I too have only 100 miles on my engine now so I try to keep it to a 22 mph cruise speed and 17 mph uphill speed.

I try not to worry about keeping the engine under a certain speed at all times. Rather, I just vary the engine speed constantly. Even while going up hills, I vary the speed from full throttle to ~1/2 throttle.

Although I don't know if this is true, try to blip the throttle when going downhill with the clutch out.
 
I have only had my Dax 70cc for a week, but as instructed, I have kept the speed mostly under 2/3 throttle or so. My question is, how do you DO that!? I find my hand twisting the throttle more and more....I NEED to go faster...18-20mph at 2/3 throttle is KILLING me!! How do you others handle this?! I've only gone about 15 miles, and I really don't see how I can stand another 100 miles of this without freaking out.

Also, this little engine seems to be underpowered. Does it get more power as you break it in? I don't think this thing will go more than 24-26mph and it's mounted on a skinny-tire 27" bike. I weigh 220, is that what's limiting my speed?

Not to be funny, but don't twist the throttle full open. Take many short slow trips and enjoy the ride. I'm surprised at 220# that a stock set up goes 24-26 MPH. I don't want speed but I can get 27 out of mine if I'm so inclined and I'm 200# and not fully stock...boost bottle, and a thin head gasket.
 
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