Hello everyone, I am new here, I am currently in the research stage of building my own motorized bike.
So a little bit of background as to why I want one, I am 22 years old, about to start attending a college program at a local school about 6 miles away. I live with my parents for now and they have 2 cars, but transportation can be an issue as my siblings all have jobs and are going to start going to school soon. The local bus could work but I would rather go myself, I would walk but it would take at least 2 hours, which would mean 4 hours total walking and waking up at 5 am. I don't currently have a job though after this semester I should be able to get a local job because it is a manufacturing training course, which would be another reason to have my own transportation.
I do have some savings so I could put up to $300 total into this project. I am already set on getting a cheap bike because I wouldn't mind turning that 2 hour walk into a 30-45 minute bike ride. The motor would be an added bonus to save some effort and maybe some time, and it would save me from falling into the endless moneypit that is a car. I would still have to register it and pay a road tax, one time I think and it would only be $20 total.
We have plenty of tools and I am somewhat mechanically minded, also have the ability to manufacture my own mounting brackets if needed, we also have a hardware store down the street.
So some questions/ thoughts if anyone would be willing to chime in I'd really appreciate i:
-I am thinking about getting the $120 motor kit from Walmart, just for convenience, is this a terrible idea? Also would get the bike from Walmart today. (I'd have to wait a few days to get the motor shipped)
-I am hoping to still be able to pedal and put the bike up in a standard bike rack during class, (in case the motor fails to work during my commute) is this reasonable?
-What sort of speed could I expect on fairly flat roads with 80cc motor? 15 mph average would be plenty for me but faster would be better.
-I would pedal out of the neighborhood before starting the motor while getting on the main road.
-How hard is it to maintain / build? I'd be able to dedicate a couple of days a week until I got it working.
-Is it ok to use a motorized bike in the rain? I could use it with the motor not running if that would help.
-Would normal brakes be ok to use with a motorized bike?
So a little bit of background as to why I want one, I am 22 years old, about to start attending a college program at a local school about 6 miles away. I live with my parents for now and they have 2 cars, but transportation can be an issue as my siblings all have jobs and are going to start going to school soon. The local bus could work but I would rather go myself, I would walk but it would take at least 2 hours, which would mean 4 hours total walking and waking up at 5 am. I don't currently have a job though after this semester I should be able to get a local job because it is a manufacturing training course, which would be another reason to have my own transportation.
I do have some savings so I could put up to $300 total into this project. I am already set on getting a cheap bike because I wouldn't mind turning that 2 hour walk into a 30-45 minute bike ride. The motor would be an added bonus to save some effort and maybe some time, and it would save me from falling into the endless moneypit that is a car. I would still have to register it and pay a road tax, one time I think and it would only be $20 total.
We have plenty of tools and I am somewhat mechanically minded, also have the ability to manufacture my own mounting brackets if needed, we also have a hardware store down the street.
So some questions/ thoughts if anyone would be willing to chime in I'd really appreciate i:
-I am thinking about getting the $120 motor kit from Walmart, just for convenience, is this a terrible idea? Also would get the bike from Walmart today. (I'd have to wait a few days to get the motor shipped)
-I am hoping to still be able to pedal and put the bike up in a standard bike rack during class, (in case the motor fails to work during my commute) is this reasonable?
-What sort of speed could I expect on fairly flat roads with 80cc motor? 15 mph average would be plenty for me but faster would be better.
-I would pedal out of the neighborhood before starting the motor while getting on the main road.
-How hard is it to maintain / build? I'd be able to dedicate a couple of days a week until I got it working.
-Is it ok to use a motorized bike in the rain? I could use it with the motor not running if that would help.
-Would normal brakes be ok to use with a motorized bike?