First Ride of the Maytag.

[Cannonball3]

I built this bike back in 2014. Was a rather demanding build making it all fit and work. Has never been ridden until today. Other builds, house renos, moves etc always kept the ride in the maybe next week thoughts. Figured with the state of the World, better get it out and ride it!

Its a 1955 Schwinn World frame married to a 47 Maytag 72 twin, with friction drive. To get the engine mounted as I wanted would drive the bike backwards. So I twisted the belt. The little engine is very unique in design. Has no carb. Runs at a constant rpm between 1800/2000. Fast enoughbto wash clothes. To ride it you start it, pedal to speed ad let out the clutch. It rides on contentedly until you need to stop. Its not fast but its super fun easing along at 15/20mph with the little twin buzzing quietly along. There is not a hint of vibes. Gives the feel of an early 1900s motorcycle maybe. With a few minor tweeks it will be going to my wifes antique store for sale. If I ride again it wont make it

 

[rusty.western.flyer]

That thing is neat!

 

[Deleted member 33388]

The fan reminds me of the type 3 pancake VW motor I put in a 66 bug

 

[DAMIEN1307]

The fan reminds me of the type 3 pancake VW motor I put in a 66 bug

Type 3 didn't refer to the motor but referred to the body style...Type 3 Volkswagen was either the hatchback or the station wagon, but not the bug or the Karman Ghia, or the van/bus.

So basically you took a pancake motor from a type 3 wagon or hatch back and installed it in a bug/beetle if I have correct what you are saying.

 

[Deleted member 33388]

Type 3 didn't refer to the motor but referred to the body style...Type 3 Volkswagen was either the hatchback or the station wagon, but not the bug or the Karman Ghia, or the van/bus.

So basically you took a pancake motor from a type 3 wagon or hatch back and installed it in a bug/beetle if I have correct what you are saying.

Right only my bug was turned into a baha, and the motor had racing cams and headers.went from 49hp to 120hp.

 

[Wrench]

I built this bike back in 2014. Was a rather demanding build making it all fit and work. Has never been ridden until today. Other builds, house renos, moves etc always kept the ride in the maybe next week thoughts. Figured with the state of the World, better get it out and ride it!

Its a 1955 Schwinn World frame married to a 47 Maytag 72 twin, with friction drive. To get the engine mounted as I wanted would drive the bike backwards. So I twisted the belt. The little engine is very unique in design. Has no carb. Runs at a constant rpm between 1800/2000. Fast enoughbto wash clothes. To ride it you start it, pedal to speed ad let out the clutch. It rides on contentedly until you need to stop. Its not fast but its super fun easing along at 15/20mph with the little twin buzzing quietly along. There is not a hint of vibes. Gives the feel of an early 1900s motorcycle maybe. With a few minor tweeks it will be going to my wifes antique store for sale. If I ride again it wont make it

I always wondered if the Maytag Repairman rode a bike

Great build

 

[Nickt919]

That bike is a collector's item. Show piece on a floor somewhere. If the engine was a washing machine engine it goes without saying clothes were done outside or in a well vented garage back then.

 

[Cannonball3]

Thanks for the kind comments guys! I wound up with two of the engines and instead running a piece of equipment, or churning ice cream like a lot of folks, I decided on a bike build. The twin engines are unusual in design. Has a form of rotary valving with the fuel delivered thru a hollow crankshaft. The governor works by a spring loaded shutter in the crank opening or closing the passage in the crank. There are no bearings, all bushings hence a 16:1 mix. I run 20:1. Both cylinders fire at the same time. Fuel is regulated by a knob controlling air intake and a fuel pick up inside the tank under the engine. close the knob to ckoke, pull to it fires, move the knob to the run position and it starts. You then adjust the knob for the best speed. Strangely its an 80cc(true).

Its a piece of American history as the rural areas were not greatly electrified before WW2. Many mothers and Grandmas
kicked started these things to wash clothes. They had a long flex tube exhaust to get the fumes away. Still cant help
but think folks clothes probably smelled like 2stroke.

 

[Greg58]

Cannonball I think I remember when you were working on that one, that started me searching for one of those engines, they’re as scarce as hens teeth.

 

[2speedboi]

Nice friction drive set up. Very impressive!