My first Mb is going to be a recumbent

[Elmo]

I intend to make a MB out of my old homebuilt recumbent. It is a toureasy type with a bentech seat modified to fit. I have a 30CC Homelite weedBeater engine. I want to make a mounting plate for the engine from 3/8" aluminum plate and weld it to a crank arm on a bottom bracket. Will have another crank arm on the other side with an engagement lever on it. I havent figured out how I am going to mount a friction roller to the motor. Any suggestions?
Elmo

 

[Elmo]

Got the motor mount made

I have finished the motor mount. Cut it out of 3/8" aluminum plate with a jigsaw. Had it welded up at a local shop.
Elmo

 

[Elmo]

Mounted the motor

I have the weedeater motor mounted on the bike. Next step is making the friction roller.

 

[suspect]

that looks really impressive, i like it a lot.

 

[Elmo]

Thanks

I appreciate the good words. I have some new pics and updates to post soon. Right now I am trying to get together a nother motor. I broke the first one. Elmo

 

[Elmo]

Thanks

I have 4 more and maybe I can get a good one out of the four.
Elmo

 

[srdavo]

I appreciate the good words. I have some new pics and updates to post soon. Right now I am trying to get together a nother motor. I broke the first one. Elmo

What broke on your motor?

 

[Elmo]

flywheel

My roller came loose and it was holding the flywheel on. The keyway stripped out and ate the aluminum flywheel.
Elmo

 

[srdavo]

bummer.... have you figured out a way to support the outer most part of the drive roller?
These little engines only have one crankshaft bearing, so any stress from the roller tension, that is passed on to the crankshaft is bad.

I am not putting down your design, by any means..... I would like to find a solution, myself.

I have seen these engines with the key that was actually cast in the flywheel.

 

[Elmo]

Bearings

I too thought that there was only one bearing on the crank. I have a friend who is a machinest who was looking at my setup and we were thinking of ways to add a bearing on the other end of the shaft. He was looking at the engine and there is a bearing inside the crankcase on the crankshaft and another on the outside behind the flywheel! Who would have thought it? They are not very far apart but there are two of them. We did come up with a way though but havent worked out all the kinks yet. Thank you for the suggestions. If the setup works out I will post pics and a description.
Elmo