Anybody Riding Friction Drives?

[2speedboi]

It's a pretty amazing little engine, f270 does very well and I never really need to worry about parts as it's been reliable! Beats a Chinese copy of the same or similar engines and leaves em in the dust!

This version uses 3 crank bearings with two on the spindle side. Coupled with a 3red support bearing makes it a smooth ride.

Not a fan of the air filter, it needs constant cleaning and does not keep rain out.

Wet weather,
I have also used grit paper with large success, it certainly shreds tires like they are going out of style, but that rain grip was really nice. I'll see how it does with other brands of tires.

I have a post on using epoxy and model train ballast rock (n scale) I may try a little bigger rock (HO scale).

 

[Cannonball3]

What size roller, and top speed?

 

[Cavity]

I love my friction drives. The love affair started in the mid 80's when my Grandmother bought me a used Bikebug Bike Engine. As a kid, I'd ride that damn thing everywhere! Don't remember where that motor ended up.
....But, just this past week, on eBay, I found a 1979-1980 Sears Free Spirit Bike Engine(rebranded Bikebug, Tas Spitz, etc..), NIB!!!
I couldn't pass up the opportunity, and ended up buying it for nostalgia.

 

[Cavity]

Here are some pics of my 'sleepers'.
Giant 29er w/Staton friction drive and Honda GX50, and my Zizzo 20" folder w/Staton and Honda GX35.
35 years after my first motorized bike, I'm still having fun riding these cool contraptions.

 

[Cannonball3]

Wow great to see your builds!

I saw the Bikebug on ebay a few weeks back, what a find! Those things run forever and are quite pleasant to use.
I have a Velosolex in boxes and a rebuilt Velo engine on a 24” cruiser. That is also a great runner that is pleasant to use.

Your other bikes are super stealthy, look lie ebikes, too cool. I have a folder I am building a front drive for a 22cc Echo. I have run it on a 26” and it works great since I live in the coastal flats. Cleaning out the attic yesterday for the impending
move I found the one wheel trailer for the Lifan bike I forgot was up there. Will seriously press that combo back into service. Can actually haul a bunch of groceries in the trailer. With the cost if fuel it makes sense.

 

[2speedboi]

What size roller, and top speed?

.850 spindle (go ped) so little around 7/8. Lots of stop n go and good comfy speed of 18. Top speed is around 28.
Straight manifold, when the muffler tube pops off is like 30+ easy. I couldn't believe what these little engine will crank but they will go fast. Loud too, which can be a down side, mufflers help obviously. but 2 strokes can be annoying. But its reliable and has good power

I was thinking about looking for another bike bug kit, that's what started me on all of this.

 

[Cannonball3]

Yep, the Zenoahs rev pretty well. I flew a few on larger R/C planes. Always powerful, reliable and smooth.
amazingly the little Echo turns a 1 1/4 bmx peg to a 20mph cruise/top speed. Not a hill climber by any means,
but there arent any here. I made its mount so the whole drive/ throttle system could be removed in less than 5 minutes
and transferred to another bike.

 

[Cannonball3]

The Velosolex engine is interesting. Its a 50cc, has lighting coils, an auto clutch, fuel pump/bypass system, a compression release, and a well designed metal roller. The throttle system is unusual in that it runs wide open until the hand lever is pulled in at a stop. At that point the auto clutch allows it to idle. On take off give it a few pedal strokes and let go of the throttle handle and you are underway again. Very easy in traffic. You never have to throttle in cruise, eliminating a cramped right hand. Pretty torquey on hills, and quiet with a decent muffler mounted down near
the bikes front axle. Very reliable and durable. I was in Germany in the summer in the late 60s and these things were everywhere with kids riding them on holiday. Thought they were way cool. I believe the first ones showed up in the late 1940s.

 

[Cannonball3]

Heres a really old vid of me breaking it in. Those were some fair hills I was climbing, I never assisted it, it just slows down and climbs. Its one of the most endearing little engines.

 

[2speedboi]

I had really good luck with stihl brand engines, little harder to mount.

First FMB I made used a stihl engine. Low thudding idle and great amounts of torque on 1 -1/4 roller.
I still have it and want to run it again so I'll get pictures. I used a free spirit gas tank and it came out pretty clean.