First Post - Here for Efficiency

MPG's

New Member
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Feb 8, 2012
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As my tittle says, I'm stumbled upon MotorBikes last Sunday in search of somehow stuffing an engine into my bike to cut gas costs and within only a weeks time, this site gave me all the info I needed to complete my build. I ordered every thing this past week, you guys are great, thank you! :like lots:

My current pedal-cycle is a 91 Rock Hopper 15" with 1x9 gearing, XTR goodies, Mavic rims, rigid fork and a Jand rack it. It's an awesome grocery getter, but not great on long rides for a 6'1" person AND too tiny for an engine :( I'm currently in search of a 18"+ CroMo with a 1 1/8" head tube for a suspension fork to build up off of. Aluminum is a second choice. I'll find it by the weeks end and then the build begins; or should I say "assembly"...

My simple list:
GXH50
4GT Belt Drive
SBP 4 Stroke Shift Kit
SBP Billet Throttle
.5gal tank
Universal Lever Throttle

I purchased the Lever Throttle as a back-up or extra; this def won't be the last project. I'm hoping someone chimes in here to help further guide me. So far the only problem I see is the throttle-to-carb mating, but I'm sure there are many more.


Thanks again!
 
Welcome

Welcome MPG's,
FIRST, I think you should know, aluminum frames are NOT the frames for a motorized. They just can't take the vibration involved with a motorized. Every one I ever used came back with a busted frame. I think most on this site will agree with me on this. I've got almost 7 years and around 60 builds behind me so I've dealt with a lot of frames. STEEL is the way to go.
Other than that, you seem to be headed in the right direction. This site is the place to be for anything motorized.
Shiney Side Up,
Big Red.
 
Welcome to the forum.

Sounds like you are pretty much on the right track. What are the laws in your state like re: mopeds/motored bikes in regard to auto transmissions?
 
Lou! you've been of great help through out the boards. Thank you.

BigRed, we're going to have to meet up. I live in downtown SJ, born n raised. :) Thanks for the tips on the frames, that aspect of aluminum never occured to me... plus I've always ridden steel and love it.

What about the throttle? My engine's still in the mail, so I haven't even seen the setup and all of the threads I'm finding with the search are are from 2008.?.? Sure I can start a new thread, but I feel with the popularity of the engine that there's probably already dozens.
 
Welcome to the forum.

Sounds like you are pretty much on the right track. What are the laws in your state like re: mopeds/motored bikes in regard to auto transmissions?

Thanks! Its a pleasure to be here.

I'm in San Jose, CA. The law's fuzzy, or to me it is at least.
Seems they don't want a separate transmission added to the engine. However, I'm not adding a transmission...
 
Thanks! Its a pleasure to be here.

I'm in San Jose, CA. The law's fuzzy, or to me it is at least.
Seems they don't want a separate transmission added to the engine. However, I'm not adding a transmission...

Okay then, and not to be argumentative since you probably have your mind made up and I assume are aware of any consequences but because other readers lurk through these threads it might be noted and made clear what CA regs say is legal. Shift kits would not be defined as automatic transmissions.

A "motorized bicycle" or "moped" is:

* A two or three-wheeled device, capable of no more than 30 mph on level ground, and equipped with:

- Fully operative pedals for human propulsion.
- A motor producing less than two gross brake horsepower and an automatic transmission.
- An electric motor, with or without pedals for human propulsion. (CVC Sec.406(a))

http://dmv.ca.gov/motorcycles/motorcycles.htm
 
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I agree, facts should be posted. So in CA, the law is no shifting with an engine?

I guess we can say as long as I ride this on Private property, I'm all good... ;) I suppose a Nexus hub or a paralyzed cable-less derailleur could do the *trick*
 
I agree, facts should be posted. So in CA, the law is no shifting with an engine?

I guess we can say as long as I ride this on Private property, I'm all good... ;) I suppose a Nexus hub or a paralyzed cable-less derailleur could do the *trick*

It's arguable (and probably will be) but that's the way the law reads. It's up to the individual to do their own due diligence to contemplate what the effects of that might be. And yes, private land or closed tracks would indeed be outside the jurisdiction of those state regs. BTW, thanks for a civil discussion.
 
Shifting

I agree, facts should be posted. So in CA, the law is no shifting with an engine?

I guess we can say as long as I ride this on Private property, I'm all good... ;) I suppose a Nexus hub or a paralyzed cable-less derailleur could do the *trick*

I think you may be right. As long as you don't physically shift it and the bike does it ALL BY IT'S SELF, then it is an automatic transmission. You would at least have a good arguement in court. The law in California say's that once the clutch is engaged it has to be automatic. It doesn't say you can't have more gears that shift on their own. But even the Nexus hub has a slide lever to shift it, so you are physically shifting it, It's not REALLY automatic.
I don't know about the handicapped:giggle: cable-less derailleur, I'll check it out. But seems to me that if it were legal a lot of motorized riders would be doing it.
 
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