motorized bicycle - backup transportation

[Willy]

 I've got a little 4 cycle Huasheng bike motor kit with a hoot gearbox (unused). Gonna ditch the hoot and thinking of going FWD with either  sprocket or belt drive on the front wheel. I'm kinda leaning towards a belt, since it's pretty simple to use a tensioner as a 'clutch'. Been thinking about one of those pit-bike CVT's too.

 

[user 423]

A vagabond friend of mine who had lost his license first tried a Walmart e-bike, then two different Chinese 2-stroke bike motors for local transportation. They all disintegrated pretty quickly but he did get his money back from Walmart.&nbsp; He then put a 4-stroke Harbor Freight 2.5hp motor on a Schwinn:&nbsp; <br /><br />

<br /><br />There were some teething problems with it but he finally got it going well enough to ride it from Kansas City to Cheyenne. He had it pretty overloaded and the elev. gradually went up 5,000ft, so he burned up two clutches getting there.

 

[wandering mike]

I like the "pusher". &nbsp;But getting back to the title of the thread, if one is looking for "backup transportation", wouldn't a regular bicycle be enough for a backup? &nbsp;If you stay in shape riding once a week and thereby keep the right muscles and joints limber, doing 20 to 30 miles isn't too tough. &nbsp;Two or three hours at best is all it takes if pretty flat. &nbsp;Put on some panniers and a rack or a basket and you certainly can get groceries.<br /><br /><br />

 

[Terry]

A vagabond friend of mine who had lost his license first tried a Walmart e-bike, then two different Chinese 2-stroke bike motors for local transportation. They all disintegrated pretty quickly but he did get his money back from Walmart.&nbsp; He then put a 4-stroke Harbor Freight 2.5hp motor on a Schwinn:&nbsp; <br /><br />

<br /><br />There were some teething problems with it but he finally got it going well enough to ride it from Kansas City to Cheyenne. He had it pretty overloaded and the elev. gradually went up 5,000ft, so he burned up two clutches getting there.

<br />&nbsp;Thats about like the one I had. Was doing real good till someone stole it. Mine was a friction drive against the rear wheel. I used the V-belt drive clutch which costs almost twice what the small chain drive clutch does. I really liked and enjoyed ridding my bike, as well as the mileage which is generally over 80 mpg with those little engines and you can get a two year, over the county warranty for about $20 extra. You can a lot of times find a cupone that will discount the engine for enough to pay for the warranty.

 

[Willy]

I like the "pusher". &nbsp;But getting back to the title of the thread, if one is looking for "backup transportation", wouldn't a regular bicycle be enough for a backup? &nbsp;If you stay in shape riding once a week and thereby keep the right muscles and joints limber, doing 20 to 30 miles isn't too tough. &nbsp;Two or three hours at best is all it takes if pretty flat. &nbsp;Put on some panniers and a rack or a basket and you certainly can get groceries.<br /><br /><br />

<br /><br />&nbsp;Well, some people are kinda crippled up and might have a bit of trouble pedaling. Take me, for example, I might lose the use of my entire left leg at a moment's notice.. or just from using it too much. If I'm 5 miles out, it would be nice to have something to get me back.. like a motor on my bicycle.

 

[user 423]

...getting back to the title of the thread, if one is looking for "backup transportation", wouldn't a regular bicycle be enough for a backup? &nbsp;If you stay in shape riding once a week and thereby keep the right muscles and joints limber, doing 20 to 30 miles isn't too tough.&nbsp;

<br /><br />Good point. I think the OP might mean secondary transportation; a little putter for short errands that is a little faster and easier than a bike.

 

[wandering mike]

Just a further note that the 2.5 HP gas engine from Harbor Freight looks to have 79 cc's. &nbsp;From the bit of Google research I just did, it seems that many states have a requirement to be 48cc's or under to avoid registration and the need for a motorcycle or scooter license. This would seem to quite probably apply to the "pusher" device that looks kinda neat too.<br /><br /><span style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; background-color: #e6e5e6;">ARIZONA HB 2796</span><br style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; background-color: #e6e5e6;">START_STATUTE</span><br style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; background-color: #e6e5e6;">28-2516. Motorized electric or gas powered bicycles or tricycles; definition</span><br style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; background-color: #e6e5e6;">A. Notwithstanding any other provision of this title:</span><br style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; background-color: #e6e5e6;">1. A certificate of title is not required for a motorized electric or gas powered bicycle or tricycle.</span><br style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; background-color: #e6e5e6;">2. Registration is not required for a motorized electric or gas powered bicycle or tricycle.</span><br style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; background-color: #e6e5e6;">3. Vehicle license tax is not imposed on a motorized electric or gas powered bicycle or tricycle.</span><br style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; background-color: #e6e5e6;">4. A motorized electric or gas powered bicycle or tricycle is exempt from the provisions of section 28-964 relating to required equipment on motorcycles and motor-driven cycles and from the provisions of title 49, chapter 3, article 5 relating to vehicle emissions inspections.</span><br style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; background-color: #e6e5e6;">5. A driver license is not required to operate a motorized electric or gas powered bicycle or tricycle.</span><br style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; background-color: #e6e5e6;">6. A motorized electric or gas powered bicycle or tricycle may use rights-of-way designated for the exclusive use of bicycles.</span><br style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; background-color: #e6e5e6;">7. A motorized electric or gas powered bicycle or tricycle is not subject to chapter 9 of this title.</span><br style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; background-color: #e6e5e6;">B. For the purposes of this section, "motorized electric or gas powered bicycle or tricycle" means a bicycle or tricycle that is equipped with a&nbsp;</span><strong style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: red;">helper motor that has a maximum piston displacement of forty-eight cubic centimeters or less</span></strong><span style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; background-color: #e6e5e6;">, that may also be self-propelled and that is operated at speeds of less than twenty miles per hour.</span><br style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; background-color: #e6e5e6;">END_STATUTE</span>

 

[Guest]

I think I'll just stick to the motor which sits on the seat and steers the bicycle.

 

[user 423]

<span style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucida grande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; background-color: #e6e5e6;">For the purposes of this section, "motorized electric or gas powered bicycle or tricycle" means a bicycle or tricycle that is equipped with a&nbsp;</span><strong style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucida grande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: red;">helper motor that has a maximum piston displacement of forty-eight cubic centimeters or less</span></strong><span style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucida grande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; background-color: #e6e5e6;">, that may also be self-propelled and that is operated at speeds of less than twenty miles per hour.</span><br style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucida grande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: #24313f; font-family: verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucida grande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; background-color: #e6e5e6;">END_STATUTE</span>

<br /><br /> Folks on motorized bike forums suggest buying a <strong>49cc</strong> decal off eBay and sticking it on the motor (49 being the max. in his state).&nbsp; My friend was never questioned by LEO's and as long as you didn't ride crazy you would be fine. His top speed was about 20mph.

 

[wandering mike]

Slowday. &nbsp;Buying the decal might work. &nbsp;Especially going from Kansas to Wyoming. Then again, the LEO could just know a bit about engines. &nbsp;But I am sure most LEO's have (and should have) a lot more to worry about than matters such as this. &nbsp;We all make decisions each and every day about the extent to which we follow laws of all kinds. &nbsp;Do what is right for you I guess.

 

[offroad]

thanks for all the comments and links.&nbsp; will be thinking on the pusher concept motor.