How long can you run these engines?

My question is simple, I hope there is a simple answer. How long can you run these type of engines once it is worn in? I'd like to do a 500 mile (one way) trip on a bicycle. The idea of an engine to propel me a lot, if not all of that distance is what has lead me to this website.

 

timmiejane,
could you please make an 'intro' post
that way, we can all say 'HI !'

 

the answer is simple: till it blows up. its really not that simple it really all depends on how you run it. if you are taking long trips will you be taking alot of breaks to rest the engine? there are just so many variables that it is hard to give a solid answer

 

moved from the techie section...and, yes, you need to "introduce yourself"...it's polite and it's policy

 

Well, I keep reading here and there, that these engines are only good for about 2 hours before having to fix them. 2hours times 35 miles is every 70 miles having to fix or repair doesn't sound good to me... especially when going 500 miles total.

Like I said, I'm new.

 

i rode one (dax 70) 165 miles in one day. averaged about 27mph with a heavy load. stopped every hour to let it cool down and take a break myself. the only mishap was a flat rear tire due to my failure to spot pre-existing damage.

now that you know that, i'll say this (a 2-pt personal opinion)...first, if you average 35mph (the top reasonable expectation) for 500 miles, you won't have to worry about repairing it, you may well be replacing it. second, i personally wouldn't buy a 2-stroke HT if my primary goal was long-distance running...permanent damage has a way of sneaking up on you with the little bangers.

huh, i guess both parts said the same thing in different ways...oh well.

 

I have done 20 to 30 mile runs pretty much flat out with a stop in the middle.. the engine I have doesnt seem to have a problem with that.

You mention 500 miles as a marker - I have easily done that overall and no problems. However trust me you wont manage 500 miles flat out on a cyclemotor in one go whatever happens.. its probably best to run for maybe 2 hours at most in a period. that would give you 70 miles and will be within tolerances for the motor and for your poor battered body..

With the dropped bars I have on my bike and a roughish road my wrists start to hurt around the 10-15 mile mark or so - thats with a bike with front suspension...

So far as durability is concerned - assuming that you run the machine with the right oil ratio and a good oil you should be ok... in point of fact with a quality engine.. which alot of the frame mounts really arent to be honest ... the total loss lubrication system means the engine is less likely to suffer wear from dross in the oil - a problem that the 4-strokes are more likely to suffer from. If you take care of an engine it can last years - I know of rudge and francis-barnett cyclemotors with Villiers engines that are still working mechanically perfectly after 40 years or so.

If you do go for a two stroke I might suggest getting hold of a tuned pipe for your engine. This will give you an increased top speed which will mean maintaining a cruise of 30mph will be less stress on the motor and therefore help with longevity... 30mph at 5500rpm is better than 30mph at 7-8000 rpm and it might even help MPG.

So far as type is concerned for the range you are talking about belt or chain drive will work. with belt drive you just need to keep a spare with you on long distances. Chains are dirtier, louder and if they munch they really tend to munch themselves and the wheel and possibly you.

As augi has said its a balance of both things as far as riding is concerned.. both the bike and you need a rest every so often. Also be sure that you have everything checked and tightened and that the brakes are up to the job... rim brakes *will* fade to almost uselessness in the wet - discs or drums are best.

hope that helps..

Jemma xx

 

I've done almost a full day's of riding on old mountain passes in Western Colorado. This has been at full throttle in summer temperatures going uphill for hours on end. I never shut my engine off to rest and left it running whenver I needed to take a nature break.

If you run a castor blended oil, you'll almost never need to worry about overheating provided your mixture is appropriate.

 

That term "letting your bike rest" gets me in the goads. Once you have reached maximum temperature, friction and compression, it should be more stable than letting it cool off and heating it up again. You know (expanding and contracting). I have to agree with Skyliner about the right synthetic oil could make all the difference in the world.
You don't stop to let your car or airplane rest! Like the element of a light bulb when you turn it on and off instead of leaving it on, is what causes it to burn out quicker.
JMHO

 

i love vague questions, because they always lead to differing opinions with no real answers. when i gave my engine a break, i also took the time to check bolts and such, which is an important aspect of happy-time ownership.

noone has yet proven anything about the (stock) HT except it doesn't like to run for long periods flat-out....search "death race" and ask yourself why roland called it that

ps-here's the best "real" answer i can give: i bet my 2-stroke forced-air-cooling tanaka coulda made the 165 miles to iRide's place in one leap. i still don't think i could have, tho :lol:

 

Start by getting a good(not cheap) kit and continue with that "good" theme....good install,good run-in,good oil,good maintenance routine,good general treatment.....it's all good from there.

 

That comment about going for two hours before having to fix them really gets to me. I"ve gone out for at least 100 three hour drives down dusty country roads and snowmobile trails and have never had to walk home. On hot days I do notice that it can get very hot and I will slow down. With the right care, these things will go for as long as we want them to.

 

Treat it right and it will treat you right for a long time.

 

Here's a blast from the past!!

 

Motorbicycle trip

Hi, IF I had the notion, I'm sure my manual-clutch Whizzer would make a 500 mile trip easily (certainly better than My Backside!!!), that's about how many miles we got to consider our engines fully "broken in".

I'm guessing that an NE5 will run 10,000 miles (PLUS) without teardown IF you keep the oil clean and full, and that you have the copper headgasket torqued down correctly.

You should never overheat any engine, and I would not want a 500 miler thru Death Valley, or the Sahara Desert, but logical, normal places should be ok.

Mike

 

As a former mechanic, I have to say Dockspa1's answer made the best sense to me.
The engine is air-cooled and its not going to see a whole more air than how its positioned now!
Augi's bit about taking a little time to check the engine, every so often during a long trip, is a very good idea (these small engines are called "Buzz Bombs" for nothing!), but a rebuild every 2 hrs.?
If that were the case, you'd probably never see an air-cooled motor anywhere, PERIOD.
Do you have to rebuild you lawn mower engine every two hours?
Do small aircraft have to land and have their motors rebuilt every two hours?

Its a bunch of hooey. Ride your bike and enjoy it. As Augi mentioned, YOU are the one who's probably going to need a rest before the engine will.



Dean

 

cooked?

I ride my 47cc chinese 2 stroke motor up decent hills in hotish weather, giving her a hand on the paddals. Noticed tonight when checking my leakey head gasket that the spark plug has that look of extreme temparature exposure, turning funny colours on the main bolt body. have i been cooking this little beast or is it the cheap metal in the cheap stock plug? Or do these motors burn bright and short like rock stars?

 

I cannot speak for all engines or kits but here is my story. I have an R/S .035 and GEBE kit on a 26" Schwinn full suspension all aluminum frame bike. No special wheels or spokes or other add-ons other than a good headlight, taillight and better than stock seat. I weigh over 200 lbs. In about 4 months I have put over 1500 miles on it at different speeds and distances. At each tank of gas I do a cursory check for problems. So far, I have done absolutely NOTHING to it but change oil, add gas, tighten/adjust things and ride. Follow the rules for installation, break-in, maintenance and safety. Lemons are made by people. I believe that any of these kits, if operated according to the owner's and maintenance manuals will operate many thousands of miles and many years. As Dockspa and Dean said, YOU need a rest. The engine does not. Stop for YOUR sake and Maintenance only. If the engine is heating up, find out why and fix the problem. Otherwise just ride, be alert and enjoy.

 

If excessive heat seems to be a problem, check your mixture (oil/gas) and also the carb mixture setting (too lean = high temps).


Dean

 

gday dean,
running 20/1 for fuel shes done 600km. when you say carb mixture setting, i own a 48cc ht engine stock carb, is there settings on these?