What do you know?

[Guest]

I just got a TAS "Spitz" QMB 23 from the local flea market....cheap, I think. From the original owner, with all paperwork/packaging//instructions/exploded view/sales slip, ect.ect.

Is this considered a rack mount or a friction drive (seems like both to me).

Good Tanaka engine from Japan, That's all I know.

Let me have all the info you guys have.

 

[azbill]

I believe that friction drives are by definition all rackmounts...ie: they are mounted on racks either front or back
let us know how it works for ya !!!

 

[Guest]

I'm going out to fit it up to my aluminum bike now.

Photos to follow.

Found out this is the same as a Bikebug/Sears Free Spirit/Little Devil.

 

[Guest]

Bah! Foiled!
It won't fit the wide forks of the Monterey Bay Cruiser......I guess I'll have to get ANOTHER bike!

 

[srdavo]

bummer!
hang in there joe.
joe?

joe??

back to the flea market?? (that's where I'd be.... )

 

[MotorbikeMike]

Bike Bug

Hi I have a customer, Mike somebody or other in Texas that handles replacement and rebuild parts for these. If you like I'll try to dig up what I have on him, Nice guy, he and I spoke several times on the phone, sadly my HD crashed a couple times since then, but I think I can find him if you want, Mike

 

[Guest]

Thanks Mike...this thing came with ALL the paperwork, plus the original box. Even had some exploded views. I do know it's the same as a Bikebug and Sears sold it under the Free Spirit name. I just can't wait to get it going and compare it to the Happytime motor kit.

I know Tanaka is a decent brand. Funny thing, once I get a bike to fit it, it takes about 5 minutes to mount and have it ready to run.

I may dismantle the Monterey and use the wheels/handlebars/seat on an old Murray Westport I picked up a few weeks back.....problem solved!

 

[psuggmog]

I have one of these motors mounted on a mid-1950s Rudge. I got mine from a man for $5USD, complete with original paperwork. He made a mounting frame and ran the motor on the rear wheel instead of the front as originally mounted. I installed it on the front of my bike. It makes the steering a little heavier feeling. I recently got a free 22cc honda 4stroke weedeater. I'm contemplating making an adapter to mount the honda to the tanaka drivetrain. There is a way to use urethane inline skate wheels or wider skateboard wheels as replacement and inproved coeficient of friction drive rollers on these macines. There is a choice of wheel diameters as well, which allows different reduction ratios.

 

[Guest]

Five dollars!?! Mine wasn't quite that cheap. Still haven't mounted it. I did see the website that tells how to replace the drive roller. Mine (roller) is new, so good for now.

 

[msamigo]

Updated webiste www.bikebug.net

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Brothers In The Wind)

Mike