Exhaust Three questions: muffler, pedaling to start, and difficulting pedaling

[Edalji]

Hi everyone,
I swear to you I am the slowest engine builder on the face of the planet. I just don't know what is wrong with me.
Anyway, here's the deal now:
~I need to have my muffler modified slightly to clear the pedals. I took it to the local muffler shop, and they said that it couldn't be done. All I need to do is have it bent about 1/2 inch down and 1/2 inch to the right. The dude at the shop is suggesting that I cut the muffler, find a joint at the hardware store that would fit it, and bring it back to them to weld it into place. This is supposed to be the 'premiere' muffler shop in town. I have a call in to a friend who got some custom work done at a place that made her Volkswagon sound like a lawnmower ( I don't know why she wanted that, but she did....) to see if maybe they might do it....but does anyone have any suggestions how I might do this myself, or some other option? My pedal is just barely hitting the curve of the muffler pipe.
~ Am I going to have to pedal start this engine after every stop at a stop sign, etc? Or does it keep on keepin' on?
~I have a Kuala Moon Dog. When I got it, and before I put the engine on it, I thought it was hard to pedal. Now that I have the engine on it, it seems impossible to get the pedals to go around. Is that normal?:-/ I ask this because I have really bad knees and wear a brace on one leg after having it ripped off in a motorcycle accident in '92, and pedaling is a bit hard for me sometimes. Any input or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Edalji

 

[Ghost0]

As far as the muffler goes, try and diagnose exactly how you want it bent and where. Heat it up with a torch and bend it, it will have to be glowing hot to bend and don't bend it attached to the engine. Put it in a vise and bend it.

The engines have a clutch so you can just pull the clutch in when coming to a stop. So you don't have to pedal start it when coming to a stop.

Pedaling a single speed bike can be difficult and I believe yours is. Adding the engine and extra chain that goes with it make pedaling even more difficult.

Hope this answers most of your questions.

 

[BoltsMissing]

complimentary answer

Need to stress the point of not bending the pipe while it is attacched to the motor, it may well and truly snap the engine's alloy.

Like Ghost suggested, mark out where it needs slight bending, put on vice, heat, bend and see if it fits ok, you may have to do a couple of these 'heat-bend-and re-trys".
Once it is clearing the peddles, then tighten it all up first time with no gasket sealants, then test, and if all ok, finaly seal it up at the gaskets and tighten.

 

[graucho]

~I have a Kuala Moon Dog. When I got it, and before I put the engine on it, I thought it was hard to pedal. Now that I have the engine on it, it seems impossible to get the pedals to go around. Any input or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Edalji

Yes like Ghost0 said... You come up to a stop sign then pull in the clutch (left lever) and the bike will be in neutral with the engine idling. (Now your stopped with the engine still running) Then to take off just let the clutch out very slowly and the engine will slowly grab and youll take off putting away.

It sounds like your trying to peddal with out pulling the clutch in when you want to peddal normal. PM me if your still confused. graucho

A few photos for a visual if your confused.

 

[azbill]

nice, detailed post graucho

 

[fetor56]

This worked well:
http://www.motoredbikes.com/showthread.php?t=8275

 

[Happy Valley]

~I have a Kuala Moon Dog. When I got it, and before I put the engine on it, I thought it was hard to pedal. Any input or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Better back up a bit right there. If the bike was hard to pedal before you mounted the kit, it won't get any better. Sounds as if you might have an adjustment problem on the bike itself, it should pedal OK at least.

The Kulana Moon Dog's have a 7 speed derailleur. I'd check out the bicycle drive train first and make sure it works like it should. The assembly process at the big box stores often leave a lot to be desired.

 

[srdavo]

The assembly process at the big box stores often leave a lot to be desired.

yeah...what he said!!

• your crank bearings could be assembled too tight
• your wheel bearings could be assembled too tight
• (there may be NO grease in your bearings)

there's a fine line between right & tight. If you have any doubts... find a 'friendly' local bike shop to tweak your bike.

 

[Edalji]

Thanks for all the suggestions; I will look into the bearings and see that they have grease, and check to see how tight they all are. Good to know I don't have to pedal start this thing everytime I stop! phew! The trials and tribulations of a first time builder...

 

[MotorBicycleRacing]

You don't have to start it but you should pedal assist the bike up to speed
from a stop before you engage the clutch again.
3 or 4 pedal strokes will do it.....

Good to know I don't have to pedal start this thing everytime I stop! phew! The trials and tribulations of a first time builder...