Nothing but Fun!!

[wjohnson]

Hi everyone,
This is my second post i believe. I bought a bumblebeebolton a few weeks ago and have done nothing but ride ride ride!!! the motorized bike scene is nothing but pure fun!!! Does anyone know how long the motorized bike has been around and does anyone else here ride a bumblebeebolton?

The only problems i have had is 2 flat tires and my wife and i have put atleast 300miles on out kits. Is the thicker tubes with the slime worth the 12 bucks at walmart? thanks for the feedback!!

 

[Fabian]

You flat tyre issues can be permanently solved by running Schwalbe Marathon tyres, combined with thorn proof, slime filled inner tubes.

You will "never" have a flat tyre again.

 

[UTurn]

It's Nothing but Fun until someone runs you off the road and you brake your leg in 2 places, shatter your wrist, and end up in a wheelchair for 4 month... That was Last Year.

And YES, I'm in the process of building another one. As for How long they have been around, I put my first one together in 2009, so a few years at least.

 

[bluegoatwoods]

No doubt these are a lot of fun. And we're glad you've found out and joined us.

Yes, it's true that the drivers out there who are hostile and/or selfish make this more dangerous than it ought to be. But I don't see the need to rain on a newbie's parade with it. People are able to figure this stuff out. (Though we are sorry for your misfortune, Uturn, and hope that it doesn't happen again)

My strategy? Two well-placed mirrors, helmet, knee and elbow pads and I get the heck out of traffic whenever I possibly can. This makes me more of an off-road rider than I would have chosen to be. That doesn't bother me. But I do resent the necessity. The selfish ones are mad at me because I'm 'in their way'. But really they are much more in my way than the other way around. Still, the danger can be brought down to acceptable levels with smart riding.

But that's kinda off the subject of the original post, isn't it?

As for the bumblebee bolt-on, I'm not familiar with it. But I'd gladly learn more. I'll try to google it when I get the chance. But if you could post some more info, that'd be great.

How long have these been around? There's a few different answers to that. The very first motorcycles, a bit more than a century ago now, were pretty similar. As for bike engine kits, they've never been very common in America. But they've been common in Asia, Africa, South America and, maybe to a lesser extent, Europe for all of my lifetime and more. Since, say, the post WWII years.

Of course, these bikes are not all fun and games. They need near-constant tinkering. But being able to overcome the challenges that they throw at you is satisfying.

So have fun.

 

[Fabian]

I know you can never have an ideal and perfect world but i completely agree with you bluegoatwoods

the danger can be brought down to acceptable levels with smart riding.

A proper set of (non gimmick) mirrors are the second most essential item on the bike after an effective braking system and an effective bicycle lighting system combined with high intensity front and rear strobes.

 

[UTurn]

Didn't mean to rain on a parade, was just pointing out that it's not always fun no matter how safe you are. I have enjoyed, and still do enjoy mine. My little mishap wasn't from being unsafe as a rider. There wasn't much difference between My bike and a motorcycle regarding safty features. I had put a charging system on it and a 12 volt motorcycle battery. With that I powered a very bright headlight, tail lights, turn signals, and I put together a brake light switch on the brake lever. I had a good wide angle mirror and I rode close to the curb as to give traffic the right-away which is the law here in Florida. I believe That was the problem, sharing the road rather than just taking the lane for the 50 yards or so that didn't have a bike lane.

I'm building a Motorized Cargo Bike now with a shift kit on it, and I agree, tinkering on them is just as much fun. Anyway back on track,, These are Nothing but Fun! (until someone brakes a nail)

 

[wjohnson]

Thanks for the feedback. These kits are awesome. I didnt think riding a bicycle could be so much fun. My brother in law went out and got him the same kit i have (bumblebeebolton). There alot of fun as long as you dont have alot of steep hills..lol

If i use a bigger drive wheel will i go faster? i clocked mine at 29mph

 

[Fabian]

Ahhh, but the iussue of hills (and i'm not talking nancy boy hills) can be solved with a SickBikeParts shift kit and a tetra chain-wheel system.

When this combination sees an insurmountable hill, it just keeps on pushing even when the mountain fights back with a murderously steep incline.
Switching to low range gearing is the perfect way to win the fight and teach that inimical mountain a lesson, even when towing a trailer laden with 200 lbs of hill climbing heartbreak.

Nothing stops a shift kit with a tetra chain-wheel system.

 

[Van Schwank]

A proper set of (non gimmick) mirrors are the second most essential item on the bike after an effective braking system and an effective bicycle lighting system combined with high intensity front and rear strobes.

Ok this is exactly the stuff I need to look into getting because I just got one of these tinker toys.

These are the mirrors I was looking into getting. Do you think they will work? http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-Bar-End...Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c5ad17982&vxp=mtr

As for lights I was thinking of just getting a cheap front and back kit from wal-mart until I decide to upgrade to something better. I am not really planning on doing a lot of night driving yet.

Then the whole braking thing... I haven't really even gotten into stopping it, I have just been trying to figure out how to make it go, which it did today and I rode that thing till the tire went flat (and then actually a little more =oX), but I definitely need to figure out the best way to stop it.... could anyone point me to the noob braking page :::sigh::: so much reading not enough riding lol I guess it is only my second day with a motorized bike though.

 

[Fabian]

If your bike doesnt have disk brakes, i can't help you, but if it does have disk brakes, then i can be of help with info on how to turn a dual-pull system into a serious braking package with mechanical calipers and upgraded disk rotors, together with a simple modification to round out the package.

Before making the bike go, you need to work on making it "stop", otherwise you'll be spending time in the "hurt locker"