what's your opinion on Motorizing classic bicycles?

[partsguy]

I'm a purist, and a Hot Rodder, so I can't just pick sides very easily. But, I do think the motorized bikes are cool! Just not with chinese parts-thats my only peeve.

 

[timmyc]

Hello all...I gotta throw my 2 cents in.....
The classic frames and forms of old bikes are things of beauty....Monarks, Higgins, Shelbeys, Hawthornes, Schwinns and all the others are rolling pieces of art. When you put a carbon burning chunk of heavy metal in the crossbars it f**ks up and distracts from the grace and design that it was originated from..... if youre going to motorize go electricc...48volt rear hub motors are a HELLLAVALOT quieter and cheaper than a carbon/combustion engine and they put a lot less strain on the frame ....you can still go fast enough without making the dogs bark....

 

[bairdco]

i'll add another 2 cents to that, timmy.

every bike you've mentioned has been motorized in the past, waaay before the cheap chinese two strokes. whether it was a Whizzer, Briggs and Stratton, or some other engine.

not to mention that every one of the classic balloon bikes took their styling cues from cars of their era.

 

[fasteddy]

http://s866.photobucket.com/home/speedydick/index

Timmyc, don't know where you got the idea that electric motors are cheap. Above is the Photo Bucket slide show of my build.
1952 Monark with wrong tank decal and I haven't finished it completely. I built every thing but the bike. I restored that. Going to the East coast for the summer and will finish it it the fall.
The hub motor from e-bikes.com here in Vancouver B.C. was $805 + tax. The poly lithium battery is almost that much.
There are cheaper set ups but no way are they like a China girl motor.

For what it will cost me I could put two or mabey 3 of the best motor bike motors on the Monark. Trouble is gas motors are ilegal in Canada.

Steve.

 

[bairdco]

i just defecated on another classic...

built this up after removing 4 coats of paint and a half inch of rust...

 

[chainmaker]

Nice Bike Bairdco...thanks for the tips.

Cheers

 

[bricycle]

Frankenbike no. 2

Don't know if this was a classic, but it once was my 1980 ish Columbia 10 speed.
This is American hodge-podge in the works. Was gonna go for the barn-fresh look, but...? Mill is a late '20's early '30's Sattley 3/4 hp made by Nelson Bros. since I don't think I can afford a Steffey or Shaw. I removed gas/oil tanked cast iron base and mounted it directly to a plate, which also serves as the engine mount. Fuel tank is ala end to end soldered rattle paint cans, carb donated from a 1923 Johnson twin outboard, battery box was a '30's-'40's vintage Chinese (ok, that isn't American) tin candy box. Headlamp is a 1899 Solar carbide lamp I converted to "D cell" battery power, jackshaft was from a 12" sidewalk bike, front wheel is very roachy Schwinn .120 gauge S2. rear is dimpled unknown with New Departure coaster. Fenders are from a circa 1960 AMF Roadmaster girls model, seat is an old Brooks model. I still need to fashion the pedals/crank assy. and design an exhaust system. Thinking about calling it a Velocyped Roam-a-bout.

bri.

 

[bairdco]

that's pretty cool lookin'! i need to find a cool vintage motor. i don't mind the chinee 2 strokes, but i'd like to build something that's really classic.

one question, bri, does that motor run? it looks pretty beat. i mean, it looks cool and old-timey, but does it work?

 

[bricycle]

what's your opinion on Motorizing classic bicycles? / Frankenbike No. 2

that's pretty cool lookin'! i need to find a cool vintage motor. i don't mind the chinee 2 strokes, but i'd like to build something that's really classic.

one question, bri, does that motor run? it looks pretty beat. i mean, it looks cool and old-timey, but does it work?

Thanks for the kind words. Also good question, to which I must say I do not know. It needed a lot of work when I got her, but now she has good spark, and that is 75% of the equasion. And if she does indeed run, have I selected satisfactory gearing ratios? Stay tuned to find out these and other intriguing answers...
I also need to design the slip clutch assembly. Can't forget that!
bri.

 

[wrongway]

thanks guys. as for the tank, i copied the basic look of the tool box tank, and made it out of copper sheet and siver solder. holds about 1/2 gallon, which is the same as the ugly peanut tank that comes with the kit. gets about 50-60 miles per tank.

i plan on making one for the 24"er, but out of aluminum this time. the problem, is the frame area is so small, i gotta come up with some "extra" space, or else it'll be limited to 20 mile runs...

i'd love to be able to make a "period" bike with an antique motor, but it just ain't in my budget. yet.

I know this is an old thread, but what gauge of copper did you use? Was it hard to shape and solder? How did you add a gas cap/opening?