Howdy from West Texas

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So I am going to start my first build in a week or two, once it's all delivered that is, and wanted to have some more experienced heads to bounce ideas off of. Not to mention bailing me out with advice when I hit the snags that will come along eventually.

My mechanical skills are pretty much basic automotive stuff; plugs/ wires, oil changes, stuff from a Hayne's 'Idiot Manual' etc, etc. I can rebuild a carb, but would rather pay someone else to enjoy that lovely bit of misery instead. These don't seem as intimidating as a 4 barrel Holley is.

I picked the motorized bicycle project because they look really fun and are a lot more practical than those other projects of mine were (2 sailboats and 2 teardrop trailers.) I enjoyed building all of them thoroughly, but once completed the ex-wife raised holy-hell everytime I wanted to go play with them. That is one of the reasons for 'ex.' Now, I will happily ride off into the sunset, on my bike, without her...

If you're wondering about the handle, it's my henchman persona. I have others as well; bluesman, Roman, Cajun, luchadore. I try to keep my real name off the internet as much as possible, so might as well have some fun with it, that's all.

Thanks for being here and I am looking forward to meeting you guys and hearing about all of your adventures in the motor-bike world! I have always felt that it is the misadventures that make the adventure interesting, because if EVERYTHING went as planned, you wouldn't remember it as vividly.

Love, Peace and chicken grease!
 
Welcome aboard the cruise ship MotorBikes. Glad you could make it. Dinning halls on are ever other floor, there are gyms scattered through out, and we have Motorbike Anon meetings every Tuesday and Thursday. I know you're not a MB addict yet, but you will be soon. lol

We have everything from shade tree's to racers in the forums, so no matter the build there are guys that got you covered.

We also LOVE pictures, well I do anyway. lol
 
You'll have to get used to Karl's posts, he has dyslexia sometimes! It will become easier after a while, welcome to the forum.

Just kidding Karl, if I didn't have auto correct on my posts would be a foreign language.
 
You'll have to get used to Karl's posts, he has dyslexia sometimes! It will become easier after a while, welcome to the forum.

Just kidding Karl, if I didn't have auto correct on my posts would be a foreign language.
Hi my name is Karl an I'm a motorbikeaholic, I have a crazy form of dyslexia and they don't know what to call it. I live when new members post pictures of what they ballin, even what they callin, it, it's gotta have a motor, electric is even alright, even the friction drives can be tight, but aye let's not forget safety an run a light.
 
Welcome aboard the cruise ship MotorBikes. Glad you could make it. Dinning halls on are ever other floor, there are gyms scattered through out, and we have Motorbike Anon meetings every Tuesday and Thursday. I know you're not a MB addict yet, but you will be soon. lol

We have everything from shade tree's to racers in the forums, so no matter the build there are guys that got you covered.

We also LOVE pictures, well I do anyway. lol
Welcome @Monkeyfingers Malone , and don't forget your pointy hat.
 
The best advice I can give you from the get go, is find out how strictly the local police enforce the guidelines pertaing to motorized bicycles in Texas; if you plan ride on the public road ways. Others in the past have tried to use the self propelled defense only to get a ticket anyways. In the state of Texas to be considered a moped it has to be made by a certified manufacturer. The certified manufacturers list is updated every 90 days. There's a statute that states mopeds have to be made by a certified manufacturer but it isn't applied to electric bicycles or motor assisted scooters.

Here's what can be self built and isn't required to be made by a certified manufacturer.

SUBCHAPTER E. MOTOR-ASSISTED SCOOTERS

Sec. 551.351. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Motor-assisted scooter":
(A) means a self-propelled device with:
(i) at least two wheels in contact with the ground during operation;
(ii) a braking system capable of stopping the device under typical operating conditions;
(iii) a gas or electric motor not exceeding 40 cubic centimeters;
(iv) a deck designed to allow a person to stand or sit while operating the device; and
(v) the ability to be propelled by human power alone; and
(B) does not include a pocket bike or a minimotorbike.

Pedals can be considered a form of a deck. Now that being said you may be in an area where the guidelines aren't strictly enforced as long as you fully and completely obey all the traffic laws. However, another city may treat you like one of the worst criminals ever.
 
Agree with Sidewinder Jerry. Don't put a lot of money and time into a motorbike that will attract law enforcement.
In the Houston area, I was never bothered by police. I rode a beach cruiser with a 2t china girl.
-Some areas of Texas are more restrictive. Some college campus police are completely intolerant of motorized bikes.
-You don't want to build bike that you cannot take on the public streets (even though you have some great trails to ride in west TX)
Here is more info.
 
What town in West Texas? Most that I know will leave you alone as long as you behave respectful of the laws. Stop means stop, yield means yield. Use hand turn signals. My opinion and my neighbor whose is APD retired agree that these are borderline legal, if you get a ticket, you can fight it in court or just pay the fine.

If you hotrod the bike around town, expect to catch hell from the local police.
 
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