In early June of this year, with gas prices beginning to creep (and sometimes outright leap) higher and higher, I began looking at other methods of transportation that would be more fuel efficient. I figured out that my idea for a reverse 3-wheeler similar to the old Morgans of the 1930s (though more fuel efficient than a regular car) would cost quite a bit more than I could scrape together ($10,000 is a great deal of money to me), so in the short term the idea had to be shelved.
This got me thinking of other methods of transportation. One idea that I stumbled upon while searching on the internet, was that of a motorized bicycle. This idea isn't new, but it still got me thinking. I always loved the look of the old Whizzer Motorbikes that were made from 1939-1965 (and then revived in 1997).
The only thing was that a new Whizzer NE5 Classic costs somewhere around $2000-2500 and requires a motorcycle endorsement on your license and insurance because of the 138cc motor. What I was looking for was something that didn't require a license to ride (thus not requiring it to go through registration hell or need insurance). It seems that most states require any motorized vehicle with a displacement greater than 50cc to be registered, insured, and licensed. So I knew the max displacement I could use. The original idea I had went as follows.
The Donor Bike:
A 7 speed Schwinn Jaguar (that I bought at Target) that's been modified with a vintage all metal Shimano derailler (to replace the plastic one it came with), a springer front fork, chrome ducktail fenders, black leather touring seat, white wall road tires, a chrome luggage rack, and a chainguard off a 1941 Columbia Superb. For brakes, I would use a v-brake in the back and a Sturmey Archer or Shimano drum brake hub in the front.
The Motor Bits:
The motor would be a frame mounted Honda GXH50 4 stroke engine or Huasheng clone with a v belt centrifugal pulley clutch. From the clutch, I would use a short 1/2" v belt to a 5/8" (shaft) x 6" (dia.) pulley that shares a shaft with a 5/8" (shaft) x 1 3/4" (dia.) pulley that in turn drives a 20" BMX bicycle rim (it's actually 15 1/2" in diameter for whatever reason) that's attached to the rear rim of the bike via 6 steel brackets (3/4" wide x 1/8" thick) like the old 1903-1912(?) Harley Davidsons and the old Shaw Motorbikes. (See photo)
The total setup would give an approx. 18:1 gear down of the Honda motor (which seems like the best gearing for these motors). The pseudo-jackshaft would be mounted to a plate with a pivot point at one end that will have a small heavy duty spring attached to it (to keep tension on the belts and allow them to be changed). I then planned to mount an old Briggs and Stratton cylindrical gas tank behind the seat on the front of the luggage rack. The motor would be mounted via an adjustable mount available through Bicycle-Engines.com. I would also be picking up a wide crank setup, muffler, and throttle linkage from them as well.
The Custom Panniers:
I found a supplier of dark brown oilskin (the stuff Australian dusters are made of that's 100% waterproof) that I planned to make my own improved version of the Brooks Brick Lane Roll-up Panniers out of. It'll cost less than the Brooks version, be 100% waterproof, have better closing straps (buckles instead of the magnets that they use), look better, and have a vintage flair. Also if I'm happy with how they turn out, I might start making and selling them to interested motorized bicyclists and regular bicyclists at a nominal fee (more information will come in a future post).
The problems I hadn't figured out yet:
1. Where to find the 5/8" shaft with bearings to attach the reduction pulleys and how to mount it to the pivot plate.
2. Length of the belts needed.
This got me thinking of other methods of transportation. One idea that I stumbled upon while searching on the internet, was that of a motorized bicycle. This idea isn't new, but it still got me thinking. I always loved the look of the old Whizzer Motorbikes that were made from 1939-1965 (and then revived in 1997).
The only thing was that a new Whizzer NE5 Classic costs somewhere around $2000-2500 and requires a motorcycle endorsement on your license and insurance because of the 138cc motor. What I was looking for was something that didn't require a license to ride (thus not requiring it to go through registration hell or need insurance). It seems that most states require any motorized vehicle with a displacement greater than 50cc to be registered, insured, and licensed. So I knew the max displacement I could use. The original idea I had went as follows.
The Donor Bike:
A 7 speed Schwinn Jaguar (that I bought at Target) that's been modified with a vintage all metal Shimano derailler (to replace the plastic one it came with), a springer front fork, chrome ducktail fenders, black leather touring seat, white wall road tires, a chrome luggage rack, and a chainguard off a 1941 Columbia Superb. For brakes, I would use a v-brake in the back and a Sturmey Archer or Shimano drum brake hub in the front.
The Motor Bits:
The motor would be a frame mounted Honda GXH50 4 stroke engine or Huasheng clone with a v belt centrifugal pulley clutch. From the clutch, I would use a short 1/2" v belt to a 5/8" (shaft) x 6" (dia.) pulley that shares a shaft with a 5/8" (shaft) x 1 3/4" (dia.) pulley that in turn drives a 20" BMX bicycle rim (it's actually 15 1/2" in diameter for whatever reason) that's attached to the rear rim of the bike via 6 steel brackets (3/4" wide x 1/8" thick) like the old 1903-1912(?) Harley Davidsons and the old Shaw Motorbikes. (See photo)
The total setup would give an approx. 18:1 gear down of the Honda motor (which seems like the best gearing for these motors). The pseudo-jackshaft would be mounted to a plate with a pivot point at one end that will have a small heavy duty spring attached to it (to keep tension on the belts and allow them to be changed). I then planned to mount an old Briggs and Stratton cylindrical gas tank behind the seat on the front of the luggage rack. The motor would be mounted via an adjustable mount available through Bicycle-Engines.com. I would also be picking up a wide crank setup, muffler, and throttle linkage from them as well.
The Custom Panniers:
I found a supplier of dark brown oilskin (the stuff Australian dusters are made of that's 100% waterproof) that I planned to make my own improved version of the Brooks Brick Lane Roll-up Panniers out of. It'll cost less than the Brooks version, be 100% waterproof, have better closing straps (buckles instead of the magnets that they use), look better, and have a vintage flair. Also if I'm happy with how they turn out, I might start making and selling them to interested motorized bicyclists and regular bicyclists at a nominal fee (more information will come in a future post).
The problems I hadn't figured out yet:
1. Where to find the 5/8" shaft with bearings to attach the reduction pulleys and how to mount it to the pivot plate.
2. Length of the belts needed.
Check out the forum at motoredbikes.com
ReplyDeleteLots of feedback available there.
The intermediate shaft is also known as a jackshaft. (don't know why)
Northern Hydraulic has a 5/8 inch jackshaft kit. You would probably need to shorten the default shaft length, though.
One of the problems with a v-belt is that is slips, especially if it gets wet.
To buy a chain-drive kit, Staton-Inc.com has several that you should take a look at.
Great idea. Nice different look too.
ReplyDeletehats off hero!