Retro Motorbike

[Q]

Geron,

I haven't measured the inclines but I live in very hilly country. The bikes climb very well. I'm 240 lbs.

Q

Living in somewhat hilly territory, I'm wondering, will they climb a 5-6 percent incline or will they lug down and require pedal assist. I'm about 190 lbs.

Somewhat interested

Geron

[BobR]

Bob-

I really like your CT 50? 70?

Those things kinda have a cult following now.

CT70 - all original 1977. You are right, its a another cult like TDs

"Q" - thanks for the additional info

[Q]

George,

Be sure to give us an update once you get the bike finished.

Q

Geron[/quote]
I just ordered a kit last night from a place called livefastmotors on ebay. I had called them yesterday and was real impressed with the guy's down to earth attitude and willingness to help with anything I might need. It was the dad of the guy that actually sells the stuff. He even offered to ship a $19.99 upgrade kit along with it for no extra shipping charge. It has a different tooth sprocket and chain, a motor mount for different frame configurations, and some other goodies in it. I just ordered it directly from him rather than thru ebay. Even tho it isn't his site, he told me that this site is very helpful with a lot of technical info. http://www.motorizedbikes.com/tech2/tech2.html

From what my friend says, hills aren't any problem at all especially with the larger sprocket (48 or 50 tooth).[/quote]

[purplepickup]

I just thought I'd mention a deal I ran across while looking for a bike to put the engine kit on. In parts of the midwest we have Meijer stores, something like Walmart but much better for the community in my opinion. Anyway, they have a 50% off clearance sale right now on many of their bikes. I bought a cheap $99 beach cruizer for $49 and I couldn't pass up a Schwinn Stingray OCC model for $85. My motor kit isn't here yet but I plan to put it on the $49 bike because it should more or less a bolt-up. The Stingray will need a fabricated motor mount but it's a heck of a start for a really cool custom. I rode it down the road tonight and it's pretty comfortable and I'm 6' and weigh 225.
The neighbors are used to seeing this 57 year old kid playing with his toys.

I thought I'd pass on the info about the clearance sale because the Stingray would make a pretty cool Christmas present for a grandson. Once you look beyond the appearance tho, the quality isn't all that great.

[Q]

My daughter had been looking for a wicker basket for her
motorbike but was unable to find one locally. Today she was at the
craft store and found these wicker fishing creels (sp?) that we turned
into panniers. We made quick release brackets that simply slip over
the edge of the rear rack and attach at the bottom with an elastic
loop. Each one has a shoulder strap so when you get to the store you
can simply pop them off and take them in.

The only thing we have left to do to the bike is paint the tank gold,
the same color as the chain guard. Here are a couple pictures.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v499/QDM/mbike2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v499/QDM/mbike1.jpg

Q

[purplepickup]

I've been fiddling with a few things on my engine before I put it on the bike. I stripped the paint, cleaned up the casting flash, and repainted it with some decent paint today.
I just can't leave stuff alone.

Here's a pic of the engine when I first got it. Cute little thing.


Here I'm stripping it and getting it ready to paint. I primed the tank too.


Just before I painted it. The paint is curing right now.


I didn't paint the tank today. It was real windy and lots of dust was flying around. I want to do a pretty good job on that.

[Vegabond9]

I am way jealous. I will have to order one, I just knows it. What company did you buy the widget from?

How come I can't see any diff in color? I thought you painted everything but the tank. hmmmm

[purplepickup]

How come I can't see any diff in color? I thought you painted everything but the tank. hmmmm

It's all still hanging. That last pic was just before I painted. I just finished a little while ago and I want to let the hardener cure before I handle it. I'll take a pic after I put things back together. It probably won't look much different in pictures but it's nice and smooth and shiney in person....a lot more metallic and two-tone too.

[Vegabond9]

Vegabond9 must have one of those.....he must. Vegabond9 only weighs 9 ounces and with his very large eyes can see in the dark quite well. He will probaby get a widget to 45 MPH easy. He will call it the "Flying Wombat". Yehaw!

[Q]

I do see some slight differences between the LiveFast engine and the Kings engine. Muffler, cylinder head, mag cover, and engine screws are different. Is that the 80cc engine? Also, did the kit come with a 9 hole or 5 hole sprocket, and how many teeth?

Q

I've been fiddling with a few things on my engine before I put it on the bike. I stripped the paint, cleaned up the casting flash, and repainted it with some decent paint today.
I just can't leave stuff alone.

[purplepickup]

I do see some slight differences between the LiveFast engine and the Kings engine. Muffler, cylinder head, mag cover, and engine screws are different. Is that the 80cc engine? Also, did the kit come with a 9 hole or 5 hole sprocket, and how many teeth?

Q

I noticed differences too. I don't know if they're good or bad but I'm actually pretty pleased with what I've got so far....but I haven't started it yet. The man that sells them was great to work with too.

It's a 70cc engine kit and it came with a 9 hole sprocket. I think it's a 48 or 50 tooth which I wanted to lug my big a$$ around (I'm at work and can't count the teeth for sure). I don't necessarily want to go fast since the brakes on the bikes I've got are marginal at best. I think having it geared lower will be easier on the clutch also. I'm sure the clutch isn't engineered to handle too much abuse. I did get an optional accessory kit with it that includes a 42 tooth sprocket, extra chain, a light kit, speedo, and cradle type engine mount for larger front frame tubes. My bike has a larger frame tube but I made a mount with an isolator that bolts directly to the motor.