Motorized bicycle

Longshot270

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So yesterday I decided that since I have a spare sprocket in the mail (that I had to buy) I'd pretend that I didn't know it was broke. I adjusted the chain again so it would work and within 20 feet the sprocket chewed up another link. I looked real close and it seems like it was just crappy links so I took the chance at buying another chain. I drove all over San Marcos looking for #41 roller chain. Nobody had it (Tractor supply said they had one but I couldn't find it). So I went to wally world and got me the cheapest bike chain they had. Turns out the Bell single speed/3 speed chain is the same size as the 415 chain the engine kit came with. I had to extend it with a 415 scrap piece from the kit but once I got it all connected together it worked like a charm. I have since put about 8 miles on the bike and have not had any trouble. The new chain also looks pretty cool. I'll post pics this afternoon since I forgot my camera.

Now I need to work on the carb. It only has the idle adjustment but it doesn't want to run unless the choke plunger is down. I'm thinking that once it gets broken in I wont have this trouble. The bike used to not go over 16 mph. Now I can get it just under 20. It must be a high revving engine because the faster I go the better it runs. I remember the dirt bike was like that (4 stroke) so it may be something about the power band and ideal RPMs and right now the engine isn't broken in well enough to reach them.

Now that it runs I've still got another 35 miles for break in but I'm already seeing a huge improvement in performance, mostly in how smooth it runs. It also doesn't run as smooth at 15 mph, now it runs smooth at 16-18 mph. Hopefully I'll have time this afternoon to take it on a longer trip to the produce store a few miles away. I like how if it breaks down I can just squeeze the clutch and pedal home.:thumbs:
 

Zembonez

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Sounds like it's working out pretty well.
 

Longshot270

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Sounds like it's working out pretty well.

This little project also makes me realize why my grandpa's chainsaw has outlasted every other one I've seen. He bought it because he didn't want to get loppers for larger saplings. I'm thinking the engine got broken in while the new ones I've seen were put to hard work fresh from the box.
 

Longshot270

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Here are the pics I promised this morning.

IMG_2450.jpg


IMG_2451.jpg



I took it on a fishing/grocery run. It was about 10 mile round trip and aside from a few hiccups it performed well.
 

Longshot270

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Cleaned up the wiring a few days ago. Also added a platform for some other applications I have in mind for it.

Did some playing with the wiring and carb and now it'll get up to 22mph in a second or two. It also starts very easy and idles very well.

IMG_2488.jpg
 

Zembonez

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Does that chain have an idler pulley? It looks like it takes an odd path.
 

Longshot270

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Does that chain have an idler pulley? It looks like it takes an odd path.

Yeah, the problem is that if I remove one chain link it is too tight, if I add the chain link back I have a bunch of slack.

I'm probably going to go down a few sizes on the sprocket to maybe a 32 or 36 tooth (currently running 44T). I don't know yet. I haven't done the math so see where that would put me speed, rpm and chain length wise.
 

NoMoney

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Very cool. Could come in handy I wonder how much mpg you get
 

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