Motorised Bicycle!?

[EuropeanNC30R...]

[Jaloopa]

Get a 50cc scooter. If my 5 foot tall, 83 year old grandmother can ride one I'm sure you could manage it.
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mattsprattuk wrote: but at least the lifan could do like 104mph in 3rd gear

[G]

My point about the pedaling was that if you've got the engine linked directly to a normal mountain bike front crank, you'll have to be moving your legs as fast as is needed to hit 40mph all the time you're doing it - not sure that's really good if you're going this way for health reasons .

Something like this uses horizontal 'drop outs':
https://www.stealthelectricbikes.com.au/thumbnaillarge/3BomberDirt2.jpg
Not so sure about the choice of a hub motor, but then wheel is probably still going to be a lot lighter than a trail (motor)bike wheel.

[milegajo]

after more research have found something similar to what your thinking... Called a "gearing kit" runs to a freewheeling crank

[The View Askew]

All you guys who neg'd him for spam, you owe him karma, he is genuine!
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"Do what you always did, get what you always got"

[G]

[milegajo]

did post pics but dont think they're showing... that looks an interesting set up...

Now i've thought about this, im enjoying the technical challenges. Will probably go about building one if i can be bothered hehe....

[ThoughtContro...]

I don't see why he has negative karma either, looks like a genuine enquiry.

I can sympathise about arthritic knees, tho I don't think I'd bother with an IC engined pushbike. The legal restrictions treat you like a motorbike in terms of CBT, tax, insurance and unless you particularly enjoy the prospect you've got the engineering challenge of converting a pedal bike. Cheaper and easier to get an old moped/50/125 as far as I can see, or an electric bike.

[mad4it028]

[milegajo]

holy moly! quick question, whats its registration category and is the front crank freewheeling? If not, surely those pedals spin like buggery!!

[mad4it028]

yes front crank is free wheeling has 2 chains
taxed as a moped but tax is free due to its age
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always looking to buy bikes crashed ,unfinished projects,none runners pm me
currently riding kawasaki z1000 only bike ive ever loved

[milegajo]

thanks for that mad4it. interesting its registered as a moped. From my reading up, i've found most are under the old "autocycle" category. i imagine then that its mandatory to wear a full motorcycle helmet when operating...

[Ariel Badger]

[Cigaro]

[milegajo]

have been doing some research and found a petrol/electric moped/bike hybrid on ebay - listing title Moped 50cc Engine Petrol Electric 200w Hybrid Bicycle. its a patent prototype which apparently takes all those problems out of the equation. price isn't that bad when you consider the price of a decent electric. Although still doesn't beat the raleigh! will post pic rather than link as is appears to be "bad karma"

[G]

All it is, is one of those petrol bikes with an electric front hub motor attached. Don't see anything worth patenting.
You still require a full bike license (tax, mot etc) and it'll be even heavier. Bike chassis looks far from ideal. Waste of money to my mind.
For that money, a real bike would make much more sense - a small 'oldschool' moped probably wouldn't weigh much more either!

It's also from the first company you linked to... are you sure you're not a spammer?
For anyone that's interested, this is the bike they're talking about, I believe: Dodgy rip-off bike.

One interesting idea for a 'legal' petrol-electric hybrid is to do it in a similar fashion to a diesel-electric train. So you have the internal combustion engine connected to a generator, which charges batteries. The bike is powered from an electric motor connected to the batteries.
However, to make it legal for use in the UK without a license, numberplate etc, you'd need to have two batteries so that you're never charging the battery that is driving the wheels.

[Itchy]

[milegajo]

Thanks for your input G.

I had a read up on the requirements of electrics (had almost the same idea as you) and it said something along the lines that the power source must be a contained one, can't remember where exactly i read it but the wording was so crap it made it sound like the bike mustn't be plugged into the mains!! the jist i think was generator = no no. Having said that though, surely a solar panel is a 'generator' will try and find the page again....

I realise the two bikes are from the same company but correct me if i am wrong but aren't they the only ones in the UK?

[milegajo]

just checked their "completed" listings, and that "dodgy rip off" bike sold for £350!! Must've been relisted as an auction. Have decided to by a kit and try myself. Especially if they fetch 350!

[G]

A generator is legal, but only if it's not directly connected to the power source powering the bike; just as there's nothing illegal about walking around holding a running generator that's charging a battery.

There's certainly plenty of others selling similar petrol kits on ebay, but don't know if any of them are based in the UK; they're the same kits as far as I know.

I suspect it sold for £350 (which is a tad more reasonable considering the components than the £800 they wanted) because they claimed it was something amazing and new and someone fell for it .
Note that the first ebay ad claimed £799, their web page says £749, then they say ebay auction starting at £449. Seems they slightly overvalued it initially .

They do have a petrol-only one up at £199 at the moment. But you do have to remember that actual costs are going to be a fair bit higher, as you need to get all the kit. SVA is going to be interesting; I've wondered how they will act with tyres that I doubt will be e-marked for road use.

[Cigaro]

Milegajo: Have you thought about one of these?

https://www.vintagebike.co.uk/Bike%20Directories/Honda%20Bikes/images/Honda-C50-1.jpg

[milegajo]

Since watching the top gear vietnam special - yes!!! hahahah just because it looked such a larf, unfortunately, the practicality would catch up once the novelty wore off!

[milegajo]

Would've thought if tyres were an issue you could source some suitable moped ones. Not saying they'd be cheap - probably double the cost of bike tyres, but looking at the raleigh above there must be 26" compatible tyres.

[Cigaro]

I'd say that was probably one of the most practical bikes you can buy! I used to have a Cub 90 and it was as reliable as anything. They're relatively light, good on fuel (150 miles to the gallon anyone?) and easy to ride (they do have gears though - it's a three speed semi auto with no clutch to worry about).

Moped tyres are quite cheap, depending on size - tyres for the cub used to cost me around £15. The problem is that you'd need to change the wheels, too.

Though I believe that on any vehicle categorized as a moped, there's no real tyre requirements, only that there must be a visible tread. May be wrong though?

[milegajo]

oh your definitely right there hence the fact isn't it the best selling vehicle in history?

Unfortunately the post is hidden, but i have a couple of "special needs" lol. Would like to cycle still, but have a motor to lend a hand.