Hello. My name is Michael and I'm from California. I live in the central valley, which is largely agricultural area and dairy farms. I have worked on dairy farms for about 15 years now. They start early, so to give herself a well-deserved break from commuting me to and from work in the wee hours, my wife got me a motorized bike 10 years ago. It was a basic china-made 2-stroke 66/80cc.
I was appalled! It was a used motor attached to an equally used mountain bike with 29inch wheels. I had no idea where the key was at... I pushed that damn bike around for an hour trying to start it . Finally, and luckily, we contacted the previous owner... Some mush mouth... I couldn't quite make out his instructions but heard enough to figure it out.
What a beautiful, wonderful thing to feel that bicycle pull into traffic and rev up to speed. Moreover, after riding I started looking it over and was (and still am to this moment) amazed by the genius of the design. I am the son of a mechanic, but, sadly, that part of dad didn't pass on to me. However, I can see the cleverness and ingenuity in these motors, especially the 2 strokes.
Well, I learned the hard way... The very hard way. They are no shops or dealers or parts places catering to motorized bikes in our area. Most shop owners would actually look at me with disdain when I said I had a motorized bike and of course were very unhelpful and dismissive. This did nothing but urge me on to figure these inevitable problems which seem universal with these motors. I did it all by myself. Trial and error mostly. If it worked great, if not, back to the garage. I am proud to say that I've likely experienced the majority of issues and worked my way through them. When the motor became useless and parts were a waste of time anymore or too expensive based on the likely outcome, we would purchase a new motor and start fresh. It was a nightmare. Really.
But that nightmare turned into a passion and a hobby that I really enjoy. I do get disappointed when things go wrong and downright vicious if it's 3:00am on a DARK, very lonely back road and all you want is to be at home in bed. All that comes with the cacophony of the coyote packs that are roaming the fields looking for a skinny white dude on a loud a** bike.
The reason this intro kind of ran long is because I wanted to set up an opportunity to voice a couple of things that have helped me in this endeavour.
I didn't know that these forums existed until only a couple years ago. I am not a big tech-y either so I never spent too much time at the computer. But, as I got to be more familiar with the forum and the indispensable resources and like-minded members, I am now extremely grateful for all the members who have and continue to provide the answers to the problems which have stumped me.
A few names come to mind. I do think they should be recognized individually, but that isnt fair to all the many, many members and staff that have helped me so damn much. The knowledge and wisdom you all have graciously bestowed on me is priceless. Thank you all so much. And thank you, with your approval, for accepting me as a member.
Live to ride, ride to live.
I was appalled! It was a used motor attached to an equally used mountain bike with 29inch wheels. I had no idea where the key was at... I pushed that damn bike around for an hour trying to start it . Finally, and luckily, we contacted the previous owner... Some mush mouth... I couldn't quite make out his instructions but heard enough to figure it out.
What a beautiful, wonderful thing to feel that bicycle pull into traffic and rev up to speed. Moreover, after riding I started looking it over and was (and still am to this moment) amazed by the genius of the design. I am the son of a mechanic, but, sadly, that part of dad didn't pass on to me. However, I can see the cleverness and ingenuity in these motors, especially the 2 strokes.
Well, I learned the hard way... The very hard way. They are no shops or dealers or parts places catering to motorized bikes in our area. Most shop owners would actually look at me with disdain when I said I had a motorized bike and of course were very unhelpful and dismissive. This did nothing but urge me on to figure these inevitable problems which seem universal with these motors. I did it all by myself. Trial and error mostly. If it worked great, if not, back to the garage. I am proud to say that I've likely experienced the majority of issues and worked my way through them. When the motor became useless and parts were a waste of time anymore or too expensive based on the likely outcome, we would purchase a new motor and start fresh. It was a nightmare. Really.
But that nightmare turned into a passion and a hobby that I really enjoy. I do get disappointed when things go wrong and downright vicious if it's 3:00am on a DARK, very lonely back road and all you want is to be at home in bed. All that comes with the cacophony of the coyote packs that are roaming the fields looking for a skinny white dude on a loud a** bike.
The reason this intro kind of ran long is because I wanted to set up an opportunity to voice a couple of things that have helped me in this endeavour.
I didn't know that these forums existed until only a couple years ago. I am not a big tech-y either so I never spent too much time at the computer. But, as I got to be more familiar with the forum and the indispensable resources and like-minded members, I am now extremely grateful for all the members who have and continue to provide the answers to the problems which have stumped me.
A few names come to mind. I do think they should be recognized individually, but that isnt fair to all the many, many members and staff that have helped me so damn much. The knowledge and wisdom you all have graciously bestowed on me is priceless. Thank you all so much. And thank you, with your approval, for accepting me as a member.
Live to ride, ride to live.