Do you think a regular bike shop could put this kit on a bike for me.

[Donald M. Haney]

Just do it! You'll be surprised at yourself. Everything is hard the first time you do it, but once you get it together, you'll derive a great deal of satisfaction and sence of accomplishment. There's a wealth of knowledge here and these guys (and gals) are more than happy to impart their valuable knowledge to us noobs. I just rolled out my brand new project from the garage today. I'm beaming!!! Ain't got 'er started yet, and I'm sure I'll have some other things go wrong, but with the help of all on this forum, I have no doubt that I can do this. YOU CAN TOO! As someone else has already stated, you'll need to fiddle with this thing quite frequently, and there's no better way to get familiar with all the parts of the beast, than to build it yourself. One step at a time. Today, mount the engine. Stand back and admire your great work. Drink beer. Feel the manliness well up inside. Grunt, belch, drink another beer, and bang your tools on the floor! Call a buddy over and grunt somemore. This can be done. Bike shops will poo-poo your machine. Liability issues. Never underestimate the capabilities of drunken, crazed men with basic hand tools, a cheap Chinese motor, vague instructions, and a mission!

Don

 

[BoltsMissing]

I have asked bicycle shops here locally, most have stipulated the after sales "riot act", they cannot be held responsible in accordance with their own biz policies etc etc on saftey matters.
In other words, they simply want to sell human powerd bikes, they sell and service enough of them, they have no real need to fit engines.
However, some bike shops have electric powered bikes, but strictly governed in accordance with legalities, which is fair enough, each to their oiwn.

Some shops I found do like the idea of motored bicycles, but simply don't want to "go there", it's not in their overall business plan.

The DIY option is your better bet,or a ready made DIY done by some of us.

Start by hanging the bike so it's eye level when you comnfotably sit on a chair, stare at it and sort it out bit by bit, take picstures, post here, there is plentyt of help each step of the way.

Just by figuring out your own space, and making a "tool" to steady the bike is a good start, it gets the ball rolling.
Below is a picture of my very first build, all I had was basic tools, old tools so the quality was there.

The stand is actually one of those chiropractic spine inverters. I used the frame to hang the bike, just an idea how some of us started, others have their own methods, mine was simply at a time I needed wheels there and then.
If you are not desperate for wheels, then take your tiime and buy quality tools to last, ask if not sure.

 

[Esteban]

You, anyone for that matter, should be able to install a friction drive kit. Instructions with the kits are good & only a few tools are needed. Watch the 2 videos here to see what is involved.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRjWAi3-XEA

 

[s_beaudry]

Keep in mind too that even after a frame mounted chain drive is installed, there are still mechanical challenges almost everytime you ride it....

I have already readjusted my chain 5 or 6 times to keep the bike going before each new ride!

 

[Mountainman]

OVERALL - in the long run - as stated many times above

best to install - build up - yourself..

You will learn a lot of things that may come in handy while riding --
you will know how to make simple and maybe not so simple adjustments to MB..

In regards to paying someone to build -- these days it's getting harder and harder to find quality work done at a fair price...

Build That Thing - Mountainman

 

[mlcorson]

Forget it, you need a commitment to learn before you get the pleasure of riding. Without that commitment, you could be a victim of a (possibly) poor and unsafe install, and put your safety at risk by not understanding what is required of a well maintained and safe MB. All self inflicted. Had you said, "I am mechanically challenged, but I am willing to learn" ....Different conversation.
-Mike

 

[Mountainman]

Forget it, you need a commitment to learn before you get the pleasure of riding. Without that commitment, you could be a victim of a (possibly) poor and unsafe install, and put your safety at risk by not understanding what is required of a well maintained and safe MB. All self inflicted. Had you said, "I am mechanically challenged, but I am willing to learn" ....Different conversation.
-Mike

Just a slight problem with your statement Mike -

not sure that anyone on this site has the right to tell someone that "they need a commitment to learn before getting the pleasure of the ride."

I do understand where you are coming from -- SAFTY ALWAYS FIRST

I admit - that is something that I could say to my son
but - to ones I don't know --- maybe not..

Happy Riding from - Mountainman

 

[BoltsMissing]

I have already readjusted my chain 5 or 6 times to keep the bike going before each new ride!

Well I dunno, how many times do i have to post this, the chain issue has been solved, credit to Fetor who showed me.
Get 2 boxes of chains as shown on the pic, and a chain tool.
Add 1 or 2 extra links from the 2nd box, keep that as a spare, ploblem solved.
No endless stretching of chain.

 

[mlcorson]

[/QUOTE]
You're right Mountainman..but I didn't mean to sound so harsh. Maybe I should have suggested he generate a commitment to learning. That might result in a safer, more informed user. Everyone wants plug and play. In this case, not understanding the machine you're operating, IMO seems like a vulnerability. Maybe I misread his post, I just didn't sense any commitment, and I still could have been more diplomatic.
-Mike

 

[astring]

Do not go to a "spandex" type of shop, try a gear head mountain bike type of shop. Mountain bike shops seem way more MB friendly. If you buy a couple of tires and tubes, a light and speedo (stuff you need anyway) from them they may do it for free (if they are not busy).

This is for a friction drive (because it is such an easy job).