First build - success! (HT+Landmark)

Just finished my very first MB build. "RAW" 48cc HT motor kit. Schwinn Landmark cruiser from Walmart. I think between the kit, bike, and other bits and pieces (including a few tools), I've got about $250 invested. Nothing special around these parts, I'm sure, but it's mine, and I'm proud of it.

I rode it around a bit today, even though it's cold in Chicago. It runs smooth and quiet, although a little underpowered for what I was expecting. After it's broken in, and I can back off the oil in the mix, it'll probably be better.

My only real complaint about the kit is that the kill switch doesn't seem to actually kill anything. The only thing I'd change about the bike is the bars; these bars are like walking behind a plow.

 

[Pedal No More]

Nougat I thought I was working hard on my custom front motor mount when it took me 45 mins to make the custom piece of metal to use for mounting bracket. But now I feel much better knowing it has taken many others awhile longer to accomplish the same thing hope you like the pics. It will make your next build much easier, faster and just as reliable. Mine has been working now with no problems so far But I have only been running it like this for a week. But it has loosened, moved or otherwise messed up so looks like this is going to be the best way to go. If you look at the pic you will see how much higher I mounted mine in order to make pedal clearance for the exhaust. Note where the exhaust is sitting. Like on mine didn't have to adjust exhaust just the height the motor was mounted and the pedal clears exhaust just like it came from factory no mod needed.

 

[happycheapskate]

I like your motor mount idea of using a plate and a u-bolt or clamp. Thats really good.

I just used the little 3 hole plate that came with the kit, and a 5/16 fine thread screw with about 3 or four washers for lift. I had to drill through the frame. You have engineered around that problem! This should be included in motor kits! Good job!

This is why I love this forum, so many inventions and techniques on here abound.

Just finished my very first MB build. "RAW" 48cc HT motor kit. Schwinn Landmark cruiser from Walmart. I think between the kit, bike, and other bits and pieces (including a few tools), I've got about $250 invested. Nothing special around these parts, I'm sure, but it's mine, and I'm proud of it.

I rode it around a bit today, even though it's cold in Chicago. It runs smooth and quiet, although a little underpowered for what I was expecting. After it's broken in, and I can back off the oil in the mix, it'll probably be better.

My only real complaint about the kit is that the kill switch doesn't seem to actually kill anything. The only thing I'd change about the bike is the bars; these bars are like walking behind a plow.

 

[happycheapskate]

A sharp hacksaw will cut through iron or steel bar. You might have to file or grind the cut and round the edges to make it look good though.

 

[happycheapskate]

Your tank is mounted further back. How do you like it?

I mounted mine about 1.5 inches from the headset (very slack steering angle).

I noticed yours is way back in the center of the frame. How do you like this arrangement? Was it done because of the bars (wide at the bottom)? Or is it for changing the balance of the bike?

Can you still stand over the top tube easily?

 

[Nougat]

Killswitch - I haven't rewired it, and it's working okay, so I'm gonna whatever that for now.

Pedal No More - about the front motor mount - I've got my engine mounted lower in the frame than you do. I can tell from your pics. The right side cover is just about resting on the pedal chainguard. I was going to try and bend the exhaust pipe, but since the pedals were just barely touching it, I used a smartly positioned metal hose clamp over the pipe and the frame to pull it just out of the way. The metal plate I used is 1/8" thick, and I don't have a vise or air tools or anything. I was cutting through it with a cutting wheel on a cheap electric drill. That's what took so long. After I got most of the way through, I helped it with a little hacksaw and was able to bend-break it at the "perforation." Nice thing about this hunk of metal is that it's never going to bend under any circumstances.

happycheapskate - I mounted the tank that far back to make sure all the gas would drain out the petcock. It seemed like mounting it further forward would tip the tank too far forward, leaving gas unusable in the front of the tank. I can't really stand over the frame too well even without the tank, because I have short legs. I lowered the seat a couple of inches from where it is in the picture, and that seems better all around. I don't have to lean so far to put a foot on the ground while sitting on the seat, and it's more comfortable, too. I might go lower still, and I'm still considering moving the tank forward a bit, too.

In other news, my first tank of gas had a whole lot of oil in it, so I remixed it with some more gas. After that, it was boggy at low end, presumably being richer, so I dropped the needle a notch (from notch three to two), and it's pretty good now, at least after it gets warmed up. It's just too bad it's snowing here all week.

 

[happycheapskate]

Thanks for the reply. I wonder if anyone has ever put a motor on a PennyFarthing? ;->

 

[Smallblock]

Wow your bike looks almost identical to mine before i painted my tank white..

I have a muffler clamp mount and dual pull lever also. I have my tank mounted farther forward than you though.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/chevyscrounger/0e8643e9-1.jpg
I don't care for the handle bars either.

 

[happycheapskate]

Tinypic are sorry *******s

I don't even remember what this photo was originally, but I didn't post an elephant. Tinypic and photobucket are sorry *******s. They love to swap pictures and ruin threads.

You have engineered around that problem! This should be included in motor kits! Good job!

This is why I love this forum, so many inventions and techniques on here abound.

 

[happycheapskate]

Look around on Fleabay and the vendors here. There are rear mounted tanks that double as cargo racks.