For My Grandson, new builder here

[AlexinTenn]

I want to build a bike for my 9 year old grandson. I have years of experience working on motorcycles, have tools and a place to work.

But I KNOW NOTHING !!!!

I think I want to go with a 2 stroke. His dad will have enough sense to put pre-mix in it. And he isn't a big kid, so lighter is better.

He isn't a big guy so I need to go with a smaller frame if possible. What is the critical dimensions to look for when I choose the bike? Is a mountain bike the best starting point?

I want to make this bike as simple as possible so my thoughts right now are to use a double cable brake to use the front and rear brake together and there will be just a throttle, brake, and clutch for him to deal with. I also plan to eliminate the derailleurs and make it a single speed bike.

Is this a good plan?

I want this bike to be as simple and reliable as possible. Top speed is not a factor at all. I would prefer it only go about 30mph.

Can y'all give me some advice about what kind of bike to look for and some help on engine choice. Remember I'm going for simple, reliable, easy to maintain.

I want to do this as cheap as I can, but it is for my grandson, so I want to give him a nice bike that will last awhile. Is it possible to do what I want to accomplish on a 500 to 600 dollar budget?

Bike will be ridden just around the neighborhood, daytime use only.

I would appreciate all the help y'all can give me.

Alex

j_alexfleury@yahoo.com

 

[Sidewinder Jerry]

Exactly what are you talking about when you say small child? This alone will tell you if the build is even possible without having to custom weld and modify a frame.

 

[AlexinTenn]

9 years old under 100 pounds. 5 feet tall.

 

[5-7HEAVEN]

Hi!
Welcome to the forum.

If you're a motorcycle mechanic, motorizing a bicycle is duck soup.

For a youngster's first bike, I'd aim for max 20mph.

My first mb went 27mph, which was good enough.

The easiest, most dependable might be rear wheel friction drive.

Staton-inc.com has a good kit.

Don't forget to buy a good helmet.

 

[Sidewinder Jerry]

Exactly what are you talking about when you say small child? This alone will tell you if the build is even possible without having to custom weld and modify a frame.

9 years old under 100 pounds.

That still says nothing about his height and inseam length. That will determine what size the frame needs to be. Also I'm assuming this is going to be for off roading or private road use???? Another thing to consider is 30 mph is pretty fast for an inexperienced rider. Under 20 mph would be a much safer choice.

 

[AlexinTenn]

this one might be just what I'm looking for

Staton Inc

Friction Drive Rear Mount Kit with the Honda GX35 35.8 cc 1.60 HP Four Cycle - 4 Stroke engine.This kit has the .930" Drive Roller. The ID of the channel is 3.4" wide.This engine kit has the 76 mm clutch rotor - 78 mm clutch drum and can be ordered with five sizes drive rollers. The most...

www.staton-inc.com

But I don't know anything at all about friction drive bikes.

 

[Sidewinder Jerry]

Do you have a private road or is it for off road use? Unless you have a private road the friction drive is a bad choice. You'll need knobby tires for off road use.

If your grandson is tall enough you can get a cruiser with 24" tires to do a 2 stroke mid frame mount. Going this route if it's for off road use get knobby tires, suspension front fork and a suspension seat post. Be sure to at least have front and rear rim brakes. If you have a private road then the knobby tires, suspension forks and suspension seat post isn't necessary.

If you have to do a rear rack mount for off road use. Use a hard tail mountian bike with 24" tires get a suspension seat post. Then get this kit.

Honda GX35 OUTSIDE DRIVE Gearbox 35.8 cc 1.60 Four Cycle kit

Honda GX35 OUTSIDE DRIVE Gearbox 35.8 cc 1.60 Four Cycle kit

www.staton-inc.com

If you have a private road and must do a rear rack mount. Get a hard tail mountian bike with 24" tires. Switch out the knobby tires to road tires and go with the friction kit.

 

[5-7HEAVEN]

No worries.

Do research on both mb forums.

If I could assemble one, so can you.

Staton’s kits are complete, with simple instructions.

Choose the smallest diameter, for low end torque and low speed.

This is the simplest kit to install.

Your grandson will be riding it in less than 2 hours.

 

[Sidewinder Jerry]

A word of caution here is, under no circumstances allow him to use the bike on a public street. Any where in the USA it's illegal for anybody to operate a combustion engine vehicle on the sidewalks. If he's caught on the public streets a guardian could be charged with child endangerment.

 

[LewieBike]

Any community bike shops nearby? These will sometimes have smaller 24" wheel MTB's for sale. MTBs are preferred over cruisers because the frames are "V" shaped and will mount up a CG mid engine bike motor more securely.

Note that the sprockets are the weak point of the CG engines, as they bolt to the rear wheel's spokes and if the wheel on the bike is less than perfectly true and spoke tensioned, the engine's power can loosen or break them. You want a bike with good, straight alloy rims. Tight evenly tensioned and stainless steel material spokes.

If it were my child I'd be looking at a drop shipped 70 cc Honda clone engine pit/dirt bike with 10"~14" wheels because you'll end up spending nearly as much on repairs and upkeep on the motorized bicycle.

Amazon.com : Coolster Kids Mini Dirt Bike 70cc Youth Gas Pit Bike Semi-Automatic 4-Speed CRF50 Style (Black) : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com : Coolster Kids Mini Dirt Bike 70cc Youth Gas Pit Bike Semi-Automatic 4-Speed CRF50 Style (Black) : Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com