Rotary power assisted bike's

[BikeMan]

Have you seen these style bike's before? I think there sold by an Asian company that sell to US vendors in bulk numbers.No matter there cool just to see.

http://www.allproducts.com/manufacture1/rotary/showroom1.html

 

[heathyoung]

German design, sachs rotary IIRC.

 

[mabman]

Yup, the Chopper From ****, the only motor assist bike to ever grace the pages of Easy Rider magazine uses a Sachs one for power. Go to: http://www.willitsbikes.com/Willits.html and go to the Gallery and hit the history button. Numbers 18 and 25 (Easy Rider shot) are the CFH.

Number 13 is myself on the left looking over my first 4 stroke endeavour in 2001. Ryobi weedwhacker engine.

 

[LesIzzMoore]

I like the lower center of gravity too.

Some immediate drawbacks:
* $1,550! http://www.rotarybike.com/rotarybike_products.asp?type=Petrol
* 2 stroke = dirty
* 18 lbs!!
* You need to use their wheel rather than your own. Durability? Weight? Gearing? Brakes?

This design was originally made by Sachs, but I apparently they sold off this particular division several years ago and the current iteration is made in Taiwan to the same or similar specs. This would suggest that the design is relatively proven, and probably reliable.

One nice feature is electric start. Which would make it (conceivably) easy to use the assist only on uphill sections instead of having to leave it idling for most of a ride.

 

[Accender]

The low center of gravity should offset the weight x2.
Hub drive is durable.

A

 

[JemmaUK]

Some immediate drawbacks:
* $1,550! http://www.rotarybike.com/rotarybike_products.asp?type=Petrol
* 2 stroke = dirty
* 18 lbs!!
* You need to use their wheel rather than your own. Durability? Weight? Gearing? Brakes?

This design was originally made by Sachs, but I apparently they sold off this particular division several years ago and the current iteration is made in Taiwan to the same or similar specs. This would suggest that the design is relatively proven, and probably reliable.

One nice feature is electric start. Which would make it (conceivably) easy to use the assist only on uphill sections instead of having to leave it idling for most of a ride.

The sachs engine is a modern type 2-stroke - as such it is not dirty in comparison to some of the other older designs. Probably the worst in that department is the 18cc semi-diesel hilfsmotor kit sold in germany under the Lohmann name. The fuel for that is somewhat esoteric - consisting of petrol/parafin & lubrication oil mixed together... the engine uses variable compression and an air valve to provide throttle response. They are sometimes available on Ebay germany - but if you get one be very very sure you get a complete one.

Jemma xx