Harbor Freight #97964 79.5cc 2.5HP - now what?

yeah... I was checkin out their work. They have done a lot of good ground work. Any news on how the engine rides??? This thing could be the next HT I think.

I just stripped the tank air filter and exhaust off and must say that I am very happy with my purchase. I cant wait to ride it.

Vtec, I really like the way the engine pulls. It has a good amount of grunt to it, and I need it 'cuz I'm no lightweight. It's also smooth, just they way a 4-stroke should be. Because it doesn't rev as high as some smaller engines, a smaller rear sprocket than the one we're using (54-tooth) could help gain some top end.
By the way, I just found out today who makes that engine for Harbor Freight. It's a Lifan engine, which really makes that an excellent buy in my book.
 
Can someone confirm the pocket bike FS529 CVT fits? That would enable a nice rack mount with the engine on the rack and not hung off the side.

I don't know if it will fit, but the HF engine has a 5/8" shaft. If the CVT is for a 5/8" it might work. However, I doubt the engine will rev as high as the pocket bike engine that CVT is designed for, so the performance might not be as good.
 
The only issue i have with the HF is it is wide.
I spend some of the day stretching a frame 3 inches to make it fit up front and top. I think my feet will clear OK, if not I will heat and bend the crank arms a bit.
I took off the muffler and tank like you guys did. That helped get it mounted higher.
 
This is truly a great engine for MBs. I have one working as a friction drive, with a 2.75" roller. The engine hangs from the side like a big wart, but the only time you notice the balance problem is when pushing the bike by hand.

I have noticed that, without the fuel tank and muffler, the engine fits nicely in the frame of my Sun Ez-1 recumbent, under the seat just in front of the back wheel. There would be NO pedal interference, low center of gravity, and with a 20" wheel, you wouldn't need to gear it down as much, although you'd still need a jackshaft.

-Mark
 
Mark, how about a pic or 2?
What speed does it run?

It will cruise easily at 30 MPH, slows to 20 or 25 on a decent hill, the fastest I've made it go on level ground is 30 MPH.

It's really rather clumsy looking, and there is no clutch - if you are moving, the engine is turning. If it didn't work so well, I'd change some things around.

I had to change the exhaust, the muffler that came with the engine kept the seat from going down - I was too short to ride it!

I also have a short video:

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The only issue i have with the HF is it is wide.
I spend some of the day stretching a frame 3 inches to make it fit up front and top. I think my feet will clear OK, if not I will heat and bend the crank arms a bit.
I took off the muffler and tank like you guys did. That helped get it mounted higher.

In addition to taking off the tank and muffler, we replaced the air cleaner with a Whizzer WC-1 unit. This also allowed it to clear the frame a bit better.
 

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I don't know if it will fit, but the HF engine has a 5/8" shaft. If the CVT is for a 5/8" it might work. However, I doubt the engine will rev as high as the pocket bike engine that CVT is designed for, so the performance might not be as good.


The CVT would possibly need some adjustment for the 2.5HP rev range, but I'm moving towards that solution. Rack mount, CVT, left side sprocket. Simple is best, but not so simple that it doesn't work :)
 
Got the last one from my local HF store. On sale for 89.99, plus I used the 20% off coupon, so OTD price was 71.99. And they gave me a free flashlight to boot!
 
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