Cheaper Jackshafts?

[happycheapskate]

Get a Staton Drive or Thats Dax friction drive and a 52cc harbor freight motor or high output pocketbike motor. You're not going to average 35mph though unless you have a long straight commute and no stops.

NOTE roller size and engine RPM cruise speed are important. Ask before you purchase parts. Staton offers the most roller sizes, Dax should have a couple. Tire selection is critical.

http://www.staton-inc.com/home.shtml

www.thatsdax.com (probably my next purchase like this)

http://www.thatsdax.com/sitebuilder/images/MVC-005L21-532x399.jpg

I have a china kit bike and I like it, but I wouldn't want to rely on it for a college commute. If your china-kit bike is properly set up and you use heavy duty chains and stuff, it could work, but I would trust a commercial honda clone or japanese branded engine way more than the happytime, and friction drive eliminates a lot of stuff to fail and doesn't look like a motorcycle.

ok. So say i have a 50 mile commute to a college town i take ever weekend. What setup would be best for getting me a long distance. Something that can average 35-40mph. Fuel boosters? what are the best carbs? what engine? i'll probably save up and go with the SBP shift kit

 

[MikeJ]

I have to agree with Happycheapskate.

For reliability, get a setup with as few moving parts as you can. Friction drive is pretty simple. I like the jackshaft, but alignment of gears and chains require close attention to detail. I had a chain snap a link when 10 miles from home. That was a long ten miles.

These china engines tend to vibrate themselves apart. They are a high-maintenance item: bolts break, studs break, engine mounts break. The quality of the metal parts are just not up to automobile standards.

I doubt you will maintain 40 mph average unless you go with a big engine for its pulling power. More realistic is 25 mph. I *strongly* recommend you get an engine with a cast iron cylinder sleeve. A cast iron sleeve engine will last longer. Run good quality synthetic oil.

There is a great deal to learn from the contibutors of this forum. Cheap engines can be reliable. But more expensive engines from Japan seem to have a higher satisfaction rating for reliability.

 

[happycheapskate]

To maintain an average speed of 40, you will have to go a lot faster than 40!

Here is a bicycle at 35mph for comparison (bike camera view) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d20lvojiwWg

Best of luck with your build and your education. I would have liked to have a motorized bike when I was younger. I might have met different people and taken a different career path.

 

[Big Red]

round head...under 50cc...square head over 66cc

If that is true, Do ya really think the cops know that?

 

[IbedaYank]

If that is true, Do ya really think the cops know that?

one look at the grubee line of kits and that cop will
but on average no but it just takes ONE cop that does and is in a bad mood..