My First Build, My Journey So Far

My journey began late last October when I came across an ad for an engine kit for a bicycle. As a kid I had always dreamed of motorizing a bicycle so when I saw the ad from zoom cycles I thought I have an old Raleigh bike I can throw the motor on and I ordered the kit from Zoom cycles and my journey begins. My kit arrives in a few days and I start my build knowing nothing of these engines or motorized bicycles. Thru lots of research thru this forum and other websites and YouTube that there are different engines and more to it that just installing the kit. Quickly I also find that my original plans of using my old Raleigh not very practical without alot of modifying and machine work. Not to mention Raleigh has it's own thread sizes. So I abandoned my old Raleigh ( I have new plans for it now lol) and went and bought a Columbia Rambler from Walmart. It started of as a single speed cruiser. The first thing I did was completely strip the bike and replace the wheels and bearings. I replaced the headset and bearings with a higher quality Japanese set, I also replaced the bottom bracket with a sealed cartridge unit. I replaced the single speed sprocket with a shimano 5 speed cassette, I want to go with a 7 speed but couldn't get it to fit between the rear for stays. I already had to spread the frame quite a bit to get the 5 speed to fit, I had to replace the rear axle with a longer one without shoulders on the inside so I could adjust the offset on the mag wheels. My zoom cycles engine turned out to be a ZAE50 engine. I have complete taken apart and replaced the bearings with skf 6202, I port matched the case to a 40mm cylinder I got from boygoesfast, port matched the cylinder and ramped and skirted the piston, and installed a jaguar cdi, installed a jackshaft and custom made exhaust and gas tank. Now I just need the weather to cooperate so I can get it out and break it in and get the carb set up and figure out what carb I'm going to use.

 

[GreasyChris]

Since the oz reed valve didn't work out for me on this engine I was using a cdh reed (2 petal,40mm).
Not having a reed valve before this it was a noticable improvement but involved alot of cobbling to get the 21mm Oko to fit without kicking it off the bike. Lol anyways I got the BGF 40mm with the 32mm intake for the Oko and now my bike is awesome after a few runs around the block and a rejet. My bike rides like a motor bike. It idles smooth, it has lots of grunt down low and nice crisp throttle response and no problem hitting 70 km/h,
He's some pics of the old gear and the upgrade.

 

[GreasyChris]

Fresh pics of my Rambler, excuse the stock gastank, a new one is in the works. Hopefully less leaky than the last one lol.

Left side

Right side

Left front

Right front

Left rear

Right rear

New lights and fenders are on there way. Had an incident with the fender getting sucked into the rear tire and being obliterated at 60k

 

[Spare_Parts]

Good looking bike. Can't get over how good those forks look.

 

[GreasyChris]

Thanks

 

[willis617]

Thanks for keeping up with this, it's great to know what others have tried and have had success with, and what fits since we are using the same platform. Which got me to wondering if our motors sit at the same height? With tape measure hooked to btm of rear mount stud, mine is 12.3 inches, that's 312.4mm in Canada , to top of seat clamp clamp

 

[GreasyChris]

I will have to measure and check for you. My engine is up pretty high in order to get the jackshaft to fit. Im not sure if I could get a after market head to fit. I was on CR machines website and see he makes a slant fred head for tight clearances. I messaged him for dimensions but haven't heard back yet. I plan on riding the bike ti work this afternoon so I'll take some measurements for you

 

[GreasyChris]

Thanks for keeping up with this, it's great to know what others have tried and have had success with, and what fits since we are using the same platform. Which got me to wondering if our motors sit at the same height? With tape measure hooked to btm of rear mount stud, mine is 12.3 inches, that's 312.4mm in Canada , to top of seat clamp clamp

So from the bottom of the engine bracket to the top of the seat post I am just under 12 inches 11&7/8th

 

[willis617]

So from the bottom of the engine bracket to the top of the seat post I am just under 12 inches 11&7/8th

What jackshaft kit are you using?
assuming our motors are mounted at the same angle, do you think mine being
.4 inches lower would be a problem?

 

[GreasyChris]

Im using the cheap Ebay jackshaft, I bought it before I knew about sick bike parts. I haven't had any issues with it and swapped the freewheel with an sbp one. If you put one on you may have to readjust your engine. I had to go up as high as i could so that the drive chain from the jackshaft to the crank wouldn't rub on the engine clutch cover. I welded a pedalstal mount on my frame for the front mount. I'm sure you could get it to work. I love having the jackshaft. I rarely peddle unless I see the po po. Im using a 5 speed 28,24,20,17,14 is not very often I can get into 4th gear but it still pulls. I will send you some close up pics of how I have it installed.

 

[GreasyChris]

Finally got around to installing the light signals and horn. Im not fussy about it but it's functional for now and will get changed over the winter.