new weed eater bike project.

well, let me just say i got a steal on facebook again!
2 ryobi trimmers for 35$
both run great and have a LOT of compression (they feel like my chainsaws lol)
now my plan was to make a "v twin" style bike engine but i quickly realized that would cost me wayy to much in machine work, and it woundnt fit the frame im using.
so im going to be selling one of them, and keeping the other for this project.

now, this can go 2 ways.
1. belt drive
2 friction drive
im considering frame mounted belt drive since it would look cool, and well, i already have a friction drive lol
im going to use a 20" bike rim (about 18" IRL), and a 3/4" pulley (should give me a gear ratio close to 24:1) this is if i can redesign the clutch to make it work for this application (ryoibi uses a stupid floating design, which i will fix by adding a screw support)

ill keep this thing updating! im going to need to get some money and some steel!

 

[mark20]

Looking good Mark...

Thanks, now i just have to figure out hos to fix the clutch mount

 

[mark20]

Ayyy, totally didnt abandon the project untill today

Welded on a 1/2 bolt to have a 2in pulley, abd mounted the rear wheel via zip ties (temporarily, since i cant figure anything else out)
Ace had this bug door seal for 3$, and i figured id try to make it work.
Also took off the gas tank and mounted the weed eater to the bikes water bottle mounts

Still in progress!

 

[mark20]

Calling it a day, still need to figure out a proper tensioner for this thing, currently am testing one off of a snowblower, but its not tracking correctly.

ill figure this out sooner or later

 

[Chainlube]

I don't think your inner tube will work or last very long, but I'm rooting for you.

 

[mark20]

I don't think your inner tube will work or last very long, but I'm rooting for you.

Eh for 3$ its worth a shot, if it doesn't work ill grab a regular v belt and get er done!

 

[Chainlube]

If you were to glue several old tubes together, that might work.

 

[Herman Klutz]

I would use the tread section of bike tires. They can easily be cut to the width you need and they can also be sew together using small gauge steel wire. Or if you are stuck on the innertube idea, you can do the same and layer several together, using homemade wire staples. Not sure how well the latter would work but we made belts out of auto tires, and wire staples a few times to finish the job.