Need advice on a rear-mount four stroke

[rjriggs]

So I'm looking to get back into motorized bicycles, and this time I've decided to splurge to get a reliable setup that won't break down on me all the time. I have a 26", 32-spoke Diamondback mountain bike in excellent condition, obtained on the cheap, that I'm planning to use. I would prefer a rear mount because A) the last time I built a motorized bike I had a very hard time cramming a four-stroke engine into a standard bike frame and B) it would make maintenance a lot easier. Both A and B are important to me! Also, I want a better engine than the standard Huasheng 142F, and I would prefer a belt drive to a chain drive, but I'm flexible about the latter.

My first impulse was to get a Golden Eagle rear mount, but due to supply problems resulting from the pandemic, they only have the X38 kit in stock in a 36-spoke model, and they do not appear to be selling just the mount kit by itself at the moment. Can anyone recommend either a complete kit with motor, or separate suggestions for rear mounts, drive trains, and motors? Any and all advice is appreciated!

 

[Bonefish]

Staton Inc. Friction drive with the Honda GX50 engine

 

[5-7HEAVEN]

rjriggs, you choose a good bike.

I had a Diamondback Response mt that I motorized.

First I used Staton friction drive.

Then I did a midframe/chain drive, which connected to the bike's 8-speed cassette.

Mie also had 32 spoke wheels, which I had absolutely no problems with.

I ran the bike for 10 years.
Sadly, I had to replace the tall bike, because my body shrank from old age.

 

[rjriggs]

Staton Inc. Friction drive with the Honda GX50 engine

I'm definitely considering the Honda GX50, a well-loved motor with a reputation for being much more reliable than the typical bicycle engine. I'm a little wary of friction drives. General consensus is that they are tough on tires, particularly when they are wet, and this is something I intend to use on my three-mile ride to work, so it will be used frequently. I'm not ruling out friction drives yet, though, so if anyone has had a positive experience with friction drives, please tell me about it.

I really wanted that Golden Eagle belt drive, but they have no idea when they will have a 32-spoke kit back in stock. Does anyone know of other good rear mount kits?

Finally, while my preference right now would be a Honda GX50, I'd like to hear about other four-stroke engines as well. I'm very iffy about getting another Huasheng, but what are some other good ones? Is the Predator 212 reliable, and is there a rear mount available for it?

 

[rjriggs]

First I used Staton friction drive.

Then I did a midframe/chain drive, which connected to the bike's 8-speed cassette.

I'm very curious about the mid drive you had. How well did it perform, and how quickly did it wear your chain and freewheel out? Also, what motor did you use it with?

 

[Bonefish]

I'm definitely considering the Honda GX50, a well-loved motor with a reputation for being much more reliable than the typical bicycle engine. I'm a little wary of friction drives. General consensus is that they are tough on tires, particularly when they are wet, and this is something I intend to use on my three-mile ride to work, so it will be used frequently. I'm not ruling out friction drives yet, though, so if anyone has had a positive experience with friction drives, please tell me about it.

I really wanted that Golden Eagle belt drive, but they have no idea when they will have a 32-spoke kit back in stock. Does anyone know of other good rear mount kits?

Finally, while my preference right now would be a Honda GX50, I'd like to hear about other four-stroke engines as well. I'm very iffy about getting another Huasheng, but what are some other good ones? Is the Predator 212 reliable, and is there a rear mount available for it?

I had a golden eagle and a friction drive. If your going to be climbing hills, The friction drive is superior. For long distance commuting, the Golden eagle is the best. If you decide to go with the Golden Eagle Kevlar Belt drive, you are going to want to get the Velocity 105G rear wheel. you can get it in 36 spoke. . Especially if you go with the Honda GX50 engine you need the beefy rear wheel.

 

[rjriggs]

I had a golden eagle and a friction drive. If your going to be climbing hills, The friction drive is superior. For long distance commuting, the Golden eagle is the best. If you decide to go with the Golden Eagle Kevlar Belt drive, you are going to want to get the Velocity 105G rear wheel. you can get it in 36 spoke. . Especially if you go with the Honda GX50 engine you need the beefy rear wheel.

So the GX50 is compatible with the GEBE kit? That's good to know! I was really hoping to avoid spending $165 on a wheel, but maybe I'd be better off getting the 36-spoke X38 kit with the Velocity 105G rear wheel and upgrading to the Honda GX50 at a later time.

 

[Bonefish]

Yes, the Honda GX50 is compatible with the GEBE kit. I would get the 36 spoke mount kit only, and the 36 spoke Velocity 105 G rear wheel and have GEBE mount the drive ring free for you before they ship it out. You can get a good deal on the Honda GX50 from Small Engine Warehouse. That X38 kit is a Honda GX35 clone made by Hausheung. I would avoid it if possible.

 

[Cavity]

Staton Inc. Friction drive with the Honda GX50 engine

This

 

[5-7HEAVEN]

I'm very curious about the mid drive you had. How well did it perform, and how quickly did it wear your chain and freewheel out? Also, what motor did you use it with?

It performed extremely well.

I was able to connect to the bike's cassette and have an 8-speed transmission.

Due to chain misalignment due to my fault,
the chain would sometimes jump off, jam near the bottom bracket and break.

I should've used a wider bottom bracket.
Ten years ago, they weren't available.

Wide bottom brackets are now available to solve my problem.

The freewheels lasted a long time. One became noisy, but I replaced it.

First gear was so low, the bike could almost climb trees!

No hill was too steep to climb, WITHOUT pedalling.

8th gear was good for highway cruising.

I used a 2.7hp Tanaka 47R racing engine or a 4.5hp CY460 engine.

The 460 was more powerful, but had clutch issues.
Stock clutch engaged at 7,000rpm.
Optional OEM clutch springs engaged at 5,000rpm.

Experimental clutch springs engaged at 1800-2500rpm,
but were prone to failure.

The Tanaka was 100% dependable.

With either engine on midframe drive, it was like riding a small motorcycle.
not a motorized bicycle.