I've finished my motor-bicycle.

[cdennisg]

[goober]

Good news.

My brother (the one in the Artic Circle pic, who has driven to Dead Horse twice and once to Inuvik on his motorcycle but for the last 5 years has given up/sold his bike and taken to watching Maury) is now putt-putting with me on day-trips. We load the putt-putts onto his pickup, go out to a destination, putt-putt down slow country hard roads to another destination then return.

Finally, not so many circles.


PP1=1st putt-putt, PP2=2nd putt-putt

After 1000 miles PP2 is doing remarkably well. No major issues or failures...but

Clutch shoe lining is about 1/2 gone but the drum shows very little wear (harden steel). It looks like I should get about 2000 miles on a set of $8 clutch shoes. Not bad when you consider this is a weed-wacker centrifugal clutch and engine ment to spin a plastic line not haul me around.

I did have to work on the clutch shoes spring tension. Initially, the clutch would start to engage around 5000 rpm, too high. I stretched the spring until there was a little light between the coils. Now it starts engaging around 3200 rpm. (the 4 cycle engine has a rpm range from idling around 2600 rpm to 6000+)

Both engines like to run a little rich. There's a mixture screw hidden down the center of the carburetor's throttle/shaft for adjustments.

To start them cold I set the choke, pump the priming bulb 12 times and both will usually start on the second pull. Idle to full throttle and back is steady and smooth. Whether it's hot or cold outside the Lifan 139f performs well. There are many 139f's out there. I can only testify to the two I bought a couple years ago from Home Depo (supposedly with cast iron cylinder sleeve).

Due to my legs and knees, it's easier for me to ride PP2. My brother, who can pedal more, rides PP1.


Pro PP1:

1) Mostly a pedal bicycle with 14 gears.
2) A more pleasent riding experience; noise, smell, heat from engine are behind me.
3) Able to start engine while on bicycle pedalling.
4) Simpler drive train with good drive belt life.
5) Removable engine assembly; to flip bike to repair rear flat.
6) Deadman feature; let go of the clutch lever and it disengages.


Con PP1:

1) Harder for me to get on/off and ride.
2) Need to pedal to 7-8 mph before fully engaging clutch.
3) Back end is top heavy; harder on spokes, tire and tilting bike while mounting.
4) Having to work a manual clutch.
5) Poorer distribution of weight between the wheels.

.........................

Pro PP2:

1) Easier to get on/off tilting the bike.
2) Good life on centrifugal clutch assembly and drive belts.
3) Can start from 0 mph with or without pedaling.
4) Automatic clutch; easier to start/stop and signal while riding.
5) Can remove rear wheel while PP2 is upright on its stand.
6) Good distribution of weight between the wheels.


Con PP2:

1) More putt-putt than pedal bicycle.
2) Noise, smell, heat and a bulky engine between my legs.
3) Sometimes harder to pedal-assist (uphill) with only 1 gear.
4) Belts and pulley/ratio drag makes it difficult to pedal with engine off.
5) Can't start engine without a pull cord.
6) Has 3 v-belts instead of 2.

[wagen19]

Nice topic here.
In Germany and Europe just after WW2 there were many types of small engines for private and individual upgrading bicycles.

The Germans were allowed to built new types of engines just after the war with max 40 ccm.
Imo the the most well known and pretty interesting ones were the 18 ccm Diesel-type 2 stroke Lohmann, https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lohmann-Motor
and the Victoria FM 38. There was even a factory "racing" or "LSR" version in 1951, max rpm 10 500, top speed 84 km/h.
https://victoria-oldtimer.de/webshop/Victoria-FM-38-L
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria-Rekordmaschine
Victoria, Nuernberg has made many interesting engines and bikes, also small cars.
The "official" history in Germany for bicycles with small engines, also installed privately, started in 1923.
Also remarkable is the 1937 introduced "Saxonette" engine with 60 ccm inside rear wheel. Produced 1938 till 40.
A complete new version with 30 ccm only, started in 1987.
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saxonette_(Motorfahrrad)
(Motorfahrrad till 1953, mostly 98 ccm, power between 2 and 3 hp, top speed 50 to 60 km/h )
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorfahrrad

In case of interest, feel free to post some pics of that kind of vehicles, please.

[oprn]

Interesting stuff! Thanks for sharing!
_________________
Our cars get old, we get old but driving an old VW never gets old!

[wagen19]

[finster]

circa 2005 I had a silver honda solo 50cc which was a retro styled bike with hints of those german machines. it was great fun and had a semi auto gearbox with the neat 4 stroke 50cc engine. only downside was that it tended to attract attention from types keen to own it without paying!

_________________
"we're here on Earth to fart around" kurt vonnegut

nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect...

[wagen19]

[wagen19]

[67rustavenger]

I consider the Rokon more of a mini bike or utility bike.
It's certainly not a motor-bicycle.

Same goes for this,

It has a motor, it's just not a motor-bicycle.
_________________
I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!

There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!
2003 Astrovan? GFYS again, Xevin!
Don't let your bad ideas remain, ideas!

[wagen19]

[goober]

I remember the Whizzer as a kid.

https://www.google.com/search?q=whizzer+bike+motor...3nW7I,st:0

[finster]

[finster]

there was also the smiths autowheel, a bolt-on motorised extra wheel and fuel tank made under licence, which could be used for both bicycles and buckboard carts.

and the evans power cycle

_________________
"we're here on Earth to fart around" kurt vonnegut

nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect...