Happy Time electric starter/generator Question...

[jamesburr36]

Just out of curiosity, how many here would be interested in a electric starter/generator for the HT engines?

I'm building a new bike and have decided to buy a freewheel sprocket hub for the engine. Every once in awhile I do like to actually pedal the bicycle but h*ll the resistance from the engine chain and clutch can sometimes be too much. The problem with this is I will not be able to pedal start the engine any more so I ordered a pull starter. That was before I read all those horror stories about the d*mn thing breaking relatively quickly.

So I've been studying a way to make an electric starter that would be no bigger mounted on the engine than the pull starter. With the added benefit of the starter motor becoming a generator once the engine starts I will be able to with the aid of a controlling circuit charge a battery at 13.8 volts and run a real set of lights and turn signals and horn.

My goal is to make it safer for me to ride on the streets. I ask the question because if this works well for me I would be willing to make kits, starter, lights, batteries, and etc. to sell to others but only if there is a market for such.

Thanks,

James.

 

[s_beaudry]

I would be interested in this if you could do it and set it up for resale....

I think moreso for the generator part of this and being able to run better lights at night!

Please let us know how you are progressing with this...

 

[JE]

Good Idea but as soon as you put a Electric starter on it"s no longer considered a bicycle. You would have to license it as a Motorcycle.

 

[Bigwheel]

While you are at it I guess that it would apply to the 4 cycle engines also? I would say you would have an eager market, especially for the lighting part. Go for it!

JE, I have never read anywhere that an electric starter would classify a MAB as a moped, only restrictions on engine size/wattage, top speed and the ability to actually pedal using human power? That would put an idea like ibdennyak's generator and sky4lrks projects out of bounds? If you can dig up the ruling on that to share it would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[jamesburr36]

Good Idea but as soon as you put a Electric starter on it"s no longer considered a bicycle. You would have to license it as a Motorcycle.

In California a starter makes no difference. The fact that it has an engine is all it takes to be considered a motor-driven bicycle. I figure the CHP police would be thrilled to see me set up with the proper lighting and a horn though.

I guess it depends on where you live.

James

 

[jamesburr36]

While you are at it I guess that it would apply to the 4 cycle engines also? I would say you would have an eager market, especially for the lighting part. Go for it!

I don't have a 4 cycle engine to adapt one to. Just a happy time thingy. If there was enough of a demand for a starter for this motor I would invest in a 4 cycle engine to adapt as well.

 

[s_beaudry]

Good Idea but as soon as you put a Electric starter on it"s no longer considered a bicycle. You would have to license it as a Motorcycle.

Hold on here.... in the beautiful state of South Carolina, a bicycle is just a bicycle and not to be considered any other motorized concept by nature.

I am still VERY much interested in this!

 

[levsmith]

yes

yeah i am very interested. it would be nice to have proper lights. have you started developing it yet? i think you would have alot of people interested in this.

 

[jamesburr36]

In the planning stage. Looking for parts and suppliers. I'm hoping to have a working prototype in 3 weeks or so considering I'm doing this in my spare time. I'm also doing a complete overhaul of my HT in preparation to install on a new beach cruiser bike.

I'll keep posting my progress.

Thanks,
James

 

[QuadManiac]

I bought this electric starter for a pocket bike the other day on ebay for $13 + shipping (see links), with the intent of doing the same thing. Sure couldn't pass it up at that price.

It arrived today, and I have yet had time to determine whether I can adapt it or not. I will have to come up with a way to tie the crankshaft to a keyed shaft needed for this starter/generator, but I don't expect it to be too hard. It's pretty close to the overall size of my pull starter. I'll keep you all posted on my success or failure, lol.

BTW, i had the pull start rope break on mine within 2 weeks... but replacing it with 1/8" nylon rope from Home Depot seems to have done the trick.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Electric-Starte...photoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z131/QuadManiac/starter.jpg