I will take a moment to say hello to all here in this forum. I am living P.R. China however, I am a US citizen. So, if you need anyone to knock on any doors or look at anything, let me know, I like having excuses to travel around.
It is interesting; here in China the petrol powered bicycles are now illegal. I see a few sitting in piles of stuff; but, never on the road. The electrics have entirely taken over.
I got interested in a petrol powered bike when I was living in the US. I was thinking of building an e-bike; however, I was never happy with the projected range. That added to the terrible recharge time kept me from doing much with one.
I eventually got a used motor and built one as a test of concept. The idea was sound; but, it was clear that I would need to do a lot of work, and go to great expense, to really make it usable.
I also remembered having a Honda 2-stroke moped (when I say moped, I mean moped, not small motorcycle or scooter; I have heard people refer to 250cc motorcycles as mopeds) when I was much younger in the '80s. I always carried a couple of premeasured jar of 2-stroke oil so that I could refuel at gas stations along the way.
This got me to thinking of the increased range of the petrol based bicycle engines. I already have a motorcycle license as I use my motorcycle for primary transportation in the states (having one car and a motorcycle is cheaper for my wife and I than two cars). Finally, I like to tinker.
Probably my biggest concern with the bike motor projects is the projected lifespan of the motors. I realize that it is mostly a "Chinese Quality" issue; but, some of the stories of the limited lifespans bother me. I expect things to last (over 250k on the car and 70k on the motorcycle in the states at the present, the last car went over 300k when I got rid of it [yes, I rebuilt the engine on both cars once]).
Seeing as I am in China, I am mostly at the gathering information stage. As far as style, I like vintage and "steampunk" style; however, there is no way I would even consider a steam powered bicycle. Steampunk is an artistic style, not a mandate of a powersource.
It is interesting; here in China the petrol powered bicycles are now illegal. I see a few sitting in piles of stuff; but, never on the road. The electrics have entirely taken over.
I got interested in a petrol powered bike when I was living in the US. I was thinking of building an e-bike; however, I was never happy with the projected range. That added to the terrible recharge time kept me from doing much with one.
I eventually got a used motor and built one as a test of concept. The idea was sound; but, it was clear that I would need to do a lot of work, and go to great expense, to really make it usable.
I also remembered having a Honda 2-stroke moped (when I say moped, I mean moped, not small motorcycle or scooter; I have heard people refer to 250cc motorcycles as mopeds) when I was much younger in the '80s. I always carried a couple of premeasured jar of 2-stroke oil so that I could refuel at gas stations along the way.
This got me to thinking of the increased range of the petrol based bicycle engines. I already have a motorcycle license as I use my motorcycle for primary transportation in the states (having one car and a motorcycle is cheaper for my wife and I than two cars). Finally, I like to tinker.
Probably my biggest concern with the bike motor projects is the projected lifespan of the motors. I realize that it is mostly a "Chinese Quality" issue; but, some of the stories of the limited lifespans bother me. I expect things to last (over 250k on the car and 70k on the motorcycle in the states at the present, the last car went over 300k when I got rid of it [yes, I rebuilt the engine on both cars once]).
Seeing as I am in China, I am mostly at the gathering information stage. As far as style, I like vintage and "steampunk" style; however, there is no way I would even consider a steam powered bicycle. Steampunk is an artistic style, not a mandate of a powersource.
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