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.
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Thanks for the info. Ya I took a chance on the cheap freewheel and figure when it goes bad I'd replace it with an sbp one. I've heard the cheap ones dont last long so I soaked mine in a tub of slick50 for a week. My exhaust isnt the flex pipe version. I used the front pipe off a short pipe long exhaust poo poo pipe and cut it then welded the expansion section off one of the little pocket bikes. Now that I look at it it does look alot like that flex poo poo pipe that's out
 
That thing is so damn nice. This is the American version of nearly the same bike. They call it the klunker instead of rambler, and it comes with the wider drop outs and a 7 spd freewheel set up. Curious about the tank. Did you make it or is it something that can be found on line. These are really good bikes to build on.
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Thanks Gary that means alot. I assumed the rambler was just a lower end model of the klunker as it came with a single speed and rigid forks.

I made the gas tank after seeing Spare_Parts make his, he is doing some great things to his bike and has given me lots of inspiration ti make my bike compete with his. Lol he is winning.

I really like the style of frame, similar to the cranbrook but I think i sloped down more in the rear and it seems to have a low center of gravity. I just wish the middle cross bar was a little higher. It makes for a tight fit with the Jack shaft. Im curious to see how my new forks are going to affect the geometry. It was riding really nice with the suspension forks until they started the violent vibrations like they were coming apart.
These are the forks im waiting for to come in
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I'm currently using a 5 speed set up, it's not very often I can get into 4th before running out of road lol. I can't wait to see what the new upgrades and pipe are going to do.
 
Thanks for the compliments Chris.

The nice part about the triple tree fork is you can adjust the height to get the geometry you like before you cut the legs down. The clamps do crush the legs slightly but not that noticeable.
 
Thanks for the compliments Chris.

The nice part about the triple tree fork is you can adjust the height to get the geometry you like before you cut the legs down. The clamps do crush the legs slightly but not that noticeable.
That's cool to know, I'm really hoping I don't have problems with getting the paint to stick to the chrome. I wanted black forks but they were extra pricey lol.
 
That thing is so damn nice. This is the American version of nearly the same bike. They call it the klunker instead of rambler, and it comes with the wider drop outs and a 7 spd freewheel set up. Curious about the tank. Did you make it or is it something that can be found on line. These are really good bikes to build on.
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That's a really nice looking klunker you built Gary. Did you get a chance to ride it? That's a cool looking pipe on it as well.
 
That's a really nice looking klunker you built Gary. Did you get a chance to ride it? That's a cool looking pipe on it as well.
Yep I got to ride it a few times during the build process and he has been by a ccuple of times for for a once over. Replace brakes and such. Still runs pretty good. Loud as hell though.
 
That's cool to know, I'm really hoping I don't have problems with getting the paint to stick to the chrome. I wanted black forks but they were extra pricey lol.
That's odd. Crome and black were the same price.

Red scotch brite pad to scuff it. The must for rust to etch (phosphoric acid) then self etch prime. Let them sit a couple days before top coating. That's what I have had the best luck with.
 
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