Hallooo and Help!

[SimpleSimon]

Backazimuth, I want to be sure you are not working with a mis-apprehension here. The site I linked you to for the grocery getter bike isn't mine. I wish it was.

I am an idea guy more than anything else, along with being a smart-arse. I'm in the midst of my first build of a motorized bicycle, which is a trike conversion of a 24" ladies huffy. I cannot ride a two-wheeler anymore because I can't feel my legs from the knees down, and our balance is mostly in our lower legs. So, I'm building a trike conversion which I am powering with an HT 2-stroke.

I do have a bunch of designs I've drawn up, and wish I had a shop space to work them up in. Building in the middle of a small living room floor kinda sucks.

 

[Happy Valley]

Consider a touring 'bent.
http://www.cvc.net/cvcmem/currin/bikes/assist/assist.html

 

[bamabikeguy]

Bamabikeguy -- Your wrote that you didn't think 25 ccs were available any longer. Stanton sells a Honda GX 25 (23.5 ccs) and a Robin-Subru EHO 25. Both are four stroke engines, which I will probably go with because of the higher torque mentioned by several of you here.

I was thinking of the old Red Max Zenoah 25 cc 2 stroke, which I used primarily from 2005-07 on a lot of "fully loaded down" road trips.

I've installed the Honda 35's and RS 35's, but have not heard any report of a 25 cc-4 cycle being able to pull any weight, esp. up the steeper grades.

Specifically I've heard the RS 25 is fine for a lightweight rider puttering around a 10-20 mile radius, but I can't remember reading a forum member using one, much less in a strenuous application.

The small difference in shipping weight of the units versus the ability of the 35's to move 250-300 pounds of bike/rider, I wouldn't chance it on the smaller versions.

On the apples versus apples, when you look around, the Robin Subaru beats the Honda, on "footprint" and cylinder construction, imho.

 

[backazimuth]

Forbisher -- Things are looking more toward the belt drive for me. When we do a major ride, it often will last two to four months, so yes, rain is a factor at times. More of a factor are the hills and mountains. I'm losing my strength which is why I want the motor to assist up those long hills. A 10-mile climb can take three hours of very hard work. A motor will cut that by two thirds with pedal assist.

New Zealand is wonderful. The North island is very hilly and very steep. The people are very hospitable. You will like it.

robin bird -- That's a terrific looking rig. Did you design the muffler system yourself? It looks like it would be quiet. Good luck on your ride. Will you be doing the Rockies?

SimpleSimon -- Yep. I'm guilty of my worst fault . . . not looking carefully enough. I did think you built those machines. Good luck with the trike. And I happen to know Shreveport. I went to the first grade at Metarie Grammer School at New Orleans. I have family ties down there.

Happy Valley -- BINGO! I dunno how you found this link, but this fellow has put into writing exactly what I am attempting to achieve. He wrote:

The idea of power assist for a bicycle is to add a motor while retaining the functionality of the bicycle. A power assist is for use on steep hills where it is most needed and turned off where pedal power alone is adequate. It differs from traditional mopeds which are small motorcycles and can't be reasonably pedaled without the motor.

He is an engineer whose hobby is a machine shop (!). He built his own recumbent bike, actually two of them, and then fabricated his own power using a 22cc weed wacker motor (Honda). He geared it for heavy-duty climbing, hence the top speed is only 10.2 mph and the most efficient speed is 8.8 mph at 6,000 rpm. This is perfect for me, but I have to find this commercially available. I'm leaning toward GEBE although I prefer the simplicity of direct drive.

I thank you truly for your efforts in finding this link!

http://www.cvc.net/cvcmem/currin/bik...st/assist.html

bamabikeguy -- I will most likely follow your suggestion and go with the more powerful engine so long as weight and size don't become an obstacle.

No one commented on my concerns about engine attitude, so I figure the engines will run at just about any angle.

Once again, thank you all for all the responses. This is a great site, but I think I already have violated a rule by staying on the intro page too long. I'll move to one of the more appropriate forum areas.

 

[MotorBicycleRacing]

Forbisher -- Things are looking more toward the belt drive for me. When we do a major ride, it often will last two to four months, so yes, rain is a factor at times. More of a factor are the hills and mountains. I'm losing my strength which is why I want the motor to assist up those long hills. A 10-mile climb can take three hours of very hard work. A motor will cut that by two thirds with pedal assist.

New Zealand is wonderful. The North island is very hilly and very steep. The people are very hospitable. You will like it.
.

http://www.cvc.net/cvcmem/currin/bikes/assist/assist.html

There is another guy up in the North West that makes/made the bike you are looking for......
His website is hard to find and I haven't talked to him for a long time,
the scooterguy may know who he is.

He tucks a 35 cc Robin Subaru behind the seat and it drives with a chain down to the BB
he is a cyclist so he designed the bike to be motor assisted. I don't think
you can use the motor by itself so I was not interested
It sounds exactly like what you are looking for as friction has rain limitations
that his bike overcame by using chain
Go with the 35 cc over the 25 cc as it only weighs a hair more....

PS: The South island is the mountainous / hilly island and I liked it so
much that i left, way too many sheep for my liking

The small difference in shipping weight of the units versus the ability of the 35's to move 250-300 pounds of bike/rider, I wouldn't chance it on the smaller versions.

On the apples versus apples, when you look around, the Robin Subaru beats the Honda, on "footprint" and cylinder construction, imho.

It turns out that Staton has been spreading bad info....
The Robin Subaru does NOT have an iron lined cylinder. It is chrome lined aluminum like the Honda which is actually a superior construction.
Also if you are travelling overseas the Honda would be much easier to find parts for.

Wayne, if you are ever up in North Orange county you are very welcome to stop by to check out the new EZ motorbike and talk motorized bikes.

I also carry Grubee 2 stroke kits and have a Robin Subaru Staton friction drive you can test ride.