Zeda 80 Kit Options: Heads and sprocket size.

Joast

Active Member
Local time
1:25 PM
Joined
Sep 26, 2022
Messages
213
Location
Clinton County Illinois
I have decided to order the Zeda 80 kit linked below to start on my first motored bike build based on other thread rcommendations posted here.
Link to kit: https://www.bicycle-engines.com/new...torized-bicycle-engine-kit-firestorm-edition/

I am tentatively going to put this on an 80s steel, 27" Centurion roadbike (converted to a gravel bike) I have around. I will be riding about 95% on flat roads and No off-road stuff. I just had a couple of questions about the available kit options before ordering:
1) Is there much advantage to either of the optional cylinder heads linked in the ad? I'm looking more for reliability than huge performance.
2) Would the 36 tooth sprocket option be any problem for use with the stock kit? I'm 180 lbs and want the Bike to cruise, without working too hard, at about 30-35 mph.
3) Are there any upgrades to the standard kit components that anyone would care to recommend. I do want the clutch lever lock to work, and I want a good cdi and magneto. I don't mind spending a little more upfront to avoid redoing something.

Thank You for any opinions or advice anyone could offer. John
 

Attachments

  • img_0019.jpg
    img_0019.jpg
    74.8 KB · Views: 113
1. Added thermal mass is a plus, but as for those specific heads I have no experience myself. Others may be able to give better opinions on the other aspects of those heads.
2. The 36 on a 27 inch wheel may be a touch too tall for your liking. A 38 would be the smallest I would go out back personally. The other big factor is how hiilly it is where you live.

Your desire for 30 to 35mph cruising is moving a bit to the slightly unrealistic side of things for a standard motor kit, even the Zeda 80. Reality leans more toward that being near 3/4 to full throttle and higher rpm. The smaller sprocket will help you theoretically achieve those speeds, but the engine still needs the power to pull you there. That goes back to the hills. If where you live is mostly flat it should work out alright, but power is still an issue.
 
The kits from Bicycle-Engines are good quality. The coil and CDI are good, and the stock engine components are too. I think my kit came with what they called an upgrade clutch lever, but I like the old push-button kind better. Anything you add as an upgrade is really your preference. I put a CNC milled head on mine. I think it increases the cooling. You might want to get a different spark plug. I'm using an NGK BP6HS, but this too is a matter of preference. I had to remove the front derailer off of one of my bikes to make room for the rear mount. There are certainly a lot of accessories to choose from. Just beware of advertising claims of increased performance with some of them. It's mostly just hype. I have a box full of addons that claimed to do this or that but didn't (my Box of Shame) ;)
 
1. Added thermal mass is a plus, but as for those specific heads I have no experience myself. Others may be able to give better opinions on the other aspects of those heads.
2. The 36 on a 27 inch wheel may be a touch too tall for your liking. A 38 would be the smallest I would go out back personally. The other big factor is how hiilly it is where you live.

Your desire for 30 to 35mph cruising is moving a bit to the slightly unrealistic side of things for a standard motor kit, even the Zeda 80. Reality leans more toward that being near 3/4 to full throttle and higher rpm. The smaller sprocket will help you theoretically achieve those speeds, but the engine still needs the power to pull you there. That goes back to the hills. If where you live is mostly flat it should work out alright, but power is still an issue.
Thanks. I have seen there is a 40 tooth sprocket but that is not one of the listed options on the kit. I was worried that the 36 tooth might be too tall based on messing around with sprocket changes on my 250 Virago. I have no hills to speak of around here and they are presently laying a nice new 4 mile flat blacktop between home and work. Thanks John
 
Thank You for any opinions or advice anyone could offer. John
Your desire for 30 to 35mph cruising is moving a bit to the slightly unrealistic side of things for a standard motor kit, even the Zeda 80.
I was worried that the 36 tooth might be too tall
When I was running the Zeda 80, my normal cruising speed was always 30 to 35 MPH with no problem attaining that speed.

The 36 tooth is what I ordered with the kit and I was glad I did...It is not too tall as you had mentioned, but the smallest sprocket that they have for that motor, not the tallest as the 44t and the 48t are taller gears/sprockets.

This is the kit I ordered when I got mine.

 
When I was running the Zeda 80, my normal cruising speed was always 30 to 35 MPH with no problem attaing that speed.

The 36 tooth is what I ordered with the kit and I was glad I did...It is not too tall as you had mentioned, but the smallest sprocket that they have for that motor, not the tallest as the 44t and the 48t are taller gears.

This is the kit I ordered when I got mine.

Well there ya go. My experience with an "80" engine was just a run of the mill triple 40. I could get 35mph, but it took everything I had.

As far as the 36 tooth, my suggestion was based on his bike being a 27" wheel with gravel/off road tires which is a little bit larger than your standard 26. Much like my 700x45 setup, which with a 40 tooth rear is geared the same as a 26 inch setup on a 36 tooth.
 
which with a 40 tooth rear is geared the same as a 26 inch setup on a 36 tooth.
With that 27", 700 series, If the 40 tooth set up like you have with that size wheel gives it around the same as my 36 tooth with 26"wheel, Then by all means, post a link where he can get a 40 tooth sprocket as I do not believe bicycle-engines.com even carries that size sprocket, Though I would have thought that the 38 tooth sprocket would have been a closer comparison...lol.
 
Thanks for the help! The wheel/ tire circumference would need to factor in--I also have some 700 rims but they are about the same size as the 27" if memory serves.
I called Bicycle-Engines.com and they do not carry just the sprocket in 40 tooth--she said only a 36, 44 or 48 as Damien1307 notes.
I probably used the wrong word in "tall", but I am interested more in a cruising gear (lower rpm-less teeth) as opposed
to the larger rear sprocket option. I just saw 40 tooth sprockets online somewhere else--haven't looked for a 38 tooth yet.
link: https://www.amazon.com/Flying-Horse-Motorized-Bicycle-Sprocket/dp/B00KWLLG6O?th=1
Thanks again. John
 
Links to Amazon may include affiliate code. If you click on an Amazon link and make a purchase, this forum may earn a small commission.
With that 27", 700 series, If the 40 tooth set up like you have with that size wheel gives it around the same as my 36 tooth with 26"wheel, Then by all means, post a link where he can get a 40 tooth sprocket as I do not believe bicycle-engines.com even carries that size sprocket, Though I would have thought that the 38 tooth sprocket would have been a closer comparison...lol.
700x45/29" with a 40 is nearly the same as a 26 with a 36 is what I was trying to say.

As far as where to get them. Elsewhere on the internet. I have found them in Amazon and ebay with relative ease. It would be nice if the kits had more options.
Thanks for the help! The wheel/ tire circumference would need to factor in--I also have some 700 rims but they are about the same size as the 27" if memory serves.
I called Bicycle-Engines.com and they do not carry just the sprocket in 40 tooth--she said only a 36, 44 or 48 as Damien1307 notes.
I probably used the wrong word in "tall", but I am interested more in a cruising gear (lower rpm-less teeth) as opposed
to the larger rear sprocket option. I just saw 40 tooth sprockets online somewhere else--haven't looked for a 38 tooth yet. Thanks again. John
Technically speaking a 700c rim is about 28 inches nominally, but the width of a 700c tire also alters its diameter. A 700x45 is larger in diameter than even a 700x40, and so on.

You won't be able to get anything other than a 36 or 44 in the kits unfortunately. Try the 36 first and see how you like it.
 
Ordered. 36 tooth it is. Nice to know they do have customer service that answers phone calls (in English) and a 6 month engine kit warranty,
Just went with the stock head for the time being.
Thanks for the advice! John
 
Back
Top