New Type of Fuel Efficient Vehicle

There's a new type of fuel efficient vehicle and the government is not inte rested at all.

The new fuel efficient vehicle is a motorized bicycle.

But isn't a motorized bicycle a mopad ? Well, according to most governments a motorized bicycle with an internal combustion engine is a mopad and that 's the problem. A mopad, even if vehicle registration is not required, stil l requires DOT lights and DOT tires and this is out of the scope of a motor ized bicycle. But see a motorized bicycle weighs about 100 pounds less than a mopad and thus only needs a bicycle frame a little on the heavy side and bicycle wheels and tires a little on the wide side.

There are three types of motorized bicycles:

The first type of motorized bicycle has a two-stroke engine between 50cc an d 66cc size. Then there is a mechanical clutch but no transmission. So the key aspect to this motorized bicycle is the engine size and type along with the fact that it only has ONE GEAR. This motorized bicycle is cranked up b y pedaling a few feet and then popping out the clutch. Then the clutch is o nly used again for coming to a stop except that the clutch could be pulled and latched and the engine turned off even while riding. These two-stoke en gines are similar to chain-saw engines and they get hot. So the riding rang e is probably a four mile commute.

The next type of motorized bicycle has a four-stroke engine of 50cc size an d an automatic transmission with an automatic centrifugal clutch. However s ince this motorized bicycle has more than one gear then it will probably ex ceed the 30 MPH speed limit associated with mopads. Also, the four-stoke en gine found in bicycle kits is too large and shaped incorrectly to work well when set in a bicycle frame. The four-stroke engine is cranked-up with a p ull cord. The riding range is probably a ten mile commute.

The last type of motorized bicycle is an electric motorized bicycle. Most g overnments recognize this type of motorized bicycle as a bicycle instead of a mopad if its top speed is 20 MPH or less. This type of motorized bicycle encourages assisted pedaling rather than total use of power. Range in tota lly powered mode is probably a ten mile round-trip commute.

Additional notes:

The internal combustion motorized bicycles are usually built from engine in stallation kits using a beach cruiser bicycle. However, there are some prem ium parts available to supplement the kits.

The electric motorized bicycles are often bought commercially but can be bu ilt from kits. Half the cost of this motorized bicycle could be in the lith ium-ion batteries. An electric motorized bicycle wouldn't likely use heavie r batteries.

The two-stroke motorized bicycles require oil mixed with gasoline.

Wheel size is often 26" x 2.125".

Simple springer forks are often used on motorized bicycles.

The two-stroke engine kits now include a catalytic muffler but expansion ch ambers are popular for performance.

A traditional 12-speed geared bicycle, without motor, can be ridden at 30 M PH on level ground by pumping heavy pedals in a big gear. It's just a lot o f work. And so riding a motorized bicycle at 30 MPH is not really an increa se in skill level.

Bottom line:

If you have a four mile one way commute, the motorized bicycle might be bet ter than waiting for the bus.

Reply to
PolicySpy
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When I said "mopad" I meant "moped".

Then I was suggesting that a motorized bicycle, built on an actual bicycle frame, shouldn't be classified as a moped.

In other words the motorized bicycle, built on an actual bicycle frame, should be allowed to use bicycle tires and lights.

Reply to
PolicySpy

e frame, shouldn't be classified as a moped.

hould be allowed to use bicycle tires and lights.

You might be suprised at the heavy loads that can be carried on bicycles an d mopeds, especially in Asia, they do it every day. I own a 1976 Sachs West lake moped. I haven't ridden it in years. Anybody know of a good way I can clean the crud out of the gas tank?

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Reply to
JR

Lacquer thinner to dissolve any varnish, then either phosphoric acid for the rust or set up a simple electrolysis system to remove the rust.

Reply to
Steve W.

I haven't done it but guys suggest various things including new ethanol blended gasoline, lacquer thinner and more. I would try new 10% ethanol gasoline first, and carry a spare fuel filter with tools along, but I'm not an expert. I do know that vehicles which sat a long while are quite prone to crud becoming dislodged and blocking the fuel filter once driven again.

On the downside, small-engine service shops claim new gasoline, especially enhanced EPA type in larger markets, eats small engines, in particular 2-cycles. I think you should find out about that from a Sachs engine expert before going forward with this.

Reply to
AMuzi

A motorized bicycle, built on an actual bicycle frame, weighs 80 to 100 pounds less than a moped .

A motorized bicycle, built on an actual bicycle frame, should be allowed to use bicycle tires, bicycle brakes, bicycle suspension, and bicycle lights. This and then be street legal .

Comparatively speaking, a moped is built like a pickup truck while a motorized bicycle is built like an aircraft . It's just a different scale .

But the beach cruiser bicycle frame is strong enough (for the 2 horsepower), springer forks are available, the 26" by 2.125" tires help the suspension, and a front hand brake can be added in addition to the rear coaster brake .

Reply to
PolicySpy

Or the petcock on a carbureted motorcycle.

Gasoline with ethanol will most likely degrade any rubber parts in the fuel system on an older motorcycle not designed to tolerate blended fuel. Unless the manufacturer approves of E10, I would avoid using it.

E10 may also make carbureted engines run lean, which can damage the engine by over-heating, particularly air-cooled engines in hot weather.

Reply to
T0m $herman

Some places it might be legal, others legal if top speed is restricted, and others not at all. Check before building/buying.

Reply to
T0m $herman

Most 2-stroke scooters, motorcycles and snowmobiles built in the last 4 decades or so have a separate oil tank, so no need to make up a can of "pre-mix".

Reply to
T0m $herman

better yet, tuck your pants into your socks and try to build up a sweat pedaling the wretched thing. bicycles are for bicycling. motorcycles are for motorcycling. ride accordingly.

Reply to
jim beam

stop being such a lard-ass - 4 miles is nothing. and it'll feel like nothing if you actually ride it a few times and improve your health accordingly.

Reply to
jim beam

A motorized bicycle could be built using a bicycle with multiple gears. Jus t concentrate on bicycle frame strength and bicycle wheel width. (In fact i f using advanced moutain bikes then advanced suspensions are possible.) The problem with this type of build is having two hand controls for the brakes and that's too many hand controls for the two-stroke engine setup which ha s a hand control for a clutch.

But the engine system works through its own gearing and not through the bic ycle gearing (except for certain commercial electric bicycle designs).

Reply to
PolicySpy

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