Torque Converter on a Motorized Bicycle

[augidog]

look, i don't know you, so this isn't personal, just making a point....this is what i would ask anyone who complains about the situation: what size engine do you use? do you wear a DOT helmet? use hand signals? use REAL lights front & rear? have a safely-built bicycle with serious brakes? stay off the trails and sidewalks? etc? are you a good ambassador for the motorsport?

i comply with everything they said they wanted me to do...but most folks don't...and that is why this is happening...not because the law wanted to, but because we as a group wouldn't regulate ourselves.

recently, Honda asked all it's vendors to NOT sell it's engines for use on bicycles. this is only the beginning...everyone else has to carry insurance to be on the road...and noone wants to be liable for a bunch of grown-up children on bicycles.

because of my bike's uber-strong components, i'm told (by an original wa MB'er from way back) that it's worth upgrading a couple items & taking it in for an inspection. i won't have a "motorized bicycle" per se, but a registered "moped"...then i'll get me an m-50 license & be good to go. shoot, if you go by the new rules, if i register it i won't even be legally bound to keep the pedals.

much food for thought, but be assured this project moves on.
i really wanna see what this new drivetrain will do.

y'all are lucky...your motorsports are completely understood to be (mostly heh) off-road in nature, so posing & violations aren't issues. but if i can't utilize a motorized bicycle on the road as a useful & practical mode, well...i can't afford to do this only as a hobby.

[augidog]

ok, so anyone interested has read my rant about the legalities...no matter anymore, me and my buddies are moving with it not against it. everyone else will be on his or her own, and won't be able to have any further effect on my right to ride, so i don't have anything to complain about anymore.

me and the incomplete bike are heading to the seattle/tacoma area soon, and i'll be working with people who build custom motorcycles and components. folks who have reputation and documentation. we ARE going to make my motorized bicycle a legal moped, inspected & registered, and plated.

i get me that "m-50" operator's license like i said, and then i can really ride!

my drivetrain will comply.

my lights comply but i need to add a brake light, so i'm looking for a coupla NOS mini-bike switches.

we were worried about wheels and tires, now we're not.

my wheels:

'82 AMF moped drum brakes, "sun metal products 1982" rims, BIG spokes, sealed bearing conversion.



and these...

Continental "KKS 10" Light Motorcycle/Moped Tires

KKS_10__KKS_10_WW_en.pdf

available in 26 X 2 (moped 2-22) w/30MPH rating.



i ordered me a pair of these just a few minutes ago, a huge step towards moped-legality...these Continentals are what made the project a firm "go"...but still i'm only collecting parts, i have about 3 months before i start actual work...i'll post updates as they occur.

i finally posted a gallery of last year's trip across the north cascades for those who wanna see, about 40 pics, no ads or pop-ups: http://motor-assisted-bicycling.1062...7p5112537.html

[landuse]

I am glad you are moving forward eventually. I hope it works out well for you

[gvfc2]

when you get it complete and if your still in seattle/tacoma area let me know i would really love to see it. im the that area. it would be so amazing to see someone elses work irl. im not that good my self. still got a long ways to go

[gvfc2]

also on your rant... i forgot about this thread im sorry. i havnt really used a gas assisted bike. but if i did i would comply with all the laws. i would try to keep it as clean(lack of better words) and safe for other vehicles and civis alike

[augidog]

sure i'll get in touch when i settle in...in my MaB world, lots of us have enjoyed meeting in real-life, it is a treat alright.

[gvfc2]

Mab world?

[Jcotz]

Motor-Asisted Bicycling

[gvfc2]

ah sorry super tired. also just never heard it before

[augidog]

hey Jcotz, one question:

"is that a real signature, or is that a sears signature?"

[Jcotz]

Hahaha, it's definitely a sears poncho. Fido told me himself.

[augidog]

i've been a long time coming to decisions about this drivetrain and MaB laws...it's really starting to "vacuum" out there, everyone's breaking the existing laws so everyone's cracking down with tougher laws or bans. i soured on continuing the build while here in WA, because i'll never be able to put it on the road legally.

but soon i'm moving to Oregon, where it's specifically stated that a bicycle with a gasoline engine can be classified as a "moped" and all their small vehicle classes have well-defined regs which means the individual can't mess it up for the group, only for him or her self.

for real, i think this 'train will really haul...i am SO tired of looking at all these parts, i wanna ride!

so, um...this is as close to an "update" as i can give...i'll bump again (someday) when i get settled in and start to assembling.

[landuse]

Originally Posted by augidog

i've been a long time coming to decisions about this drivetrain and MaB laws...it's really starting to "vacuum" out there, everyone's breaking the existing laws so everyone's cracking down with tougher laws or bans. i soured on continuing the build while here in WA, because i'll never be able to put it on the road legally.

but soon i'm moving to Oregon, where it's specifically stated that a bicycle with a gasoline engine can be classified as a "moped" and all their small vehicle classes have well-defined regs which means the individual can't mess it up for the group, only for him or her self.

for real, i think this 'train will really haul...i am SO tired of looking at all these parts, i wanna ride!

so, um...this is as close to an "update" as i can give...i'll bump again (someday) when i get settled in and start to assembling.

Thanks Augidog. I had been wondering what the delay in your build was. Have you been hauling thee parts all over the place with you? They must have added a few extra pounds to the saddle bags!

[augidog]

i have been sitting in one place for quite a while...no workshop, no tools...local machine shop was useless he sat on the first process (4 precision holes) for 2 months, i HAD planned on bringing him one job a month (brackets, welding, lathe work, etc) until the bike was finished, but at his pace i would never get anything accomplished.

at the moment, i'm adapting an old electric drive to the bike, and when i get to Oregon i can buy a welder, grinder, compressor, etc...and do the new gasoline drivetrain myself, the way it should be.

[Deadeye]

Originally Posted by augidog

i have been sitting in one place for quite a while...no workshop, no tools...local machine shop was useless he sat on the first process (4 precision holes) for 2 months, i HAD planned on bringing him one job a month (brackets, welding, lathe work, etc) until the bike was finished, but at his pace i would never get anything accomplished.

at the moment, i'm adapting an old electric drive to the bike, and when i get to Oregon i can buy a welder, grinder, compressor, etc...and do the new gasoline drivetrain myself, the way it should be.

Well said.

[r_chez_08]

Nice to hear an 'update',
As the saying goes-'if you want it done right, do it yourself!'

[augidog]

Originally Posted by r_chez_08

Nice to hear an 'update',
As the saying goes-'if you want it done right, do it yourself!'

actually, for me, it's always been "if you want it done at all, it's on you."

[augidog]

with Motorized Bicycle laws changing so fast, i've decided it's best to not bother spending time and money on something i won't be able to legally register & ride.

i can't afford hobbies, i just need sensible transportation.

all of the specialty parts i've acquired to this point are available...check the "for sale" area if you're interested in anything.

[toystory_4wd]

Originally Posted by augidog

with Motorized Bicycle laws changing so fast, i've decided it's best to not bother spending time and money on something i won't be able to legally register & ride.

i can't afford hobbies, i just need sensible transportation.

all of the specialty parts i've acquired to this point are available...check the "for sale" area if you're interested in anything.

Holy crap! You're giving up? That just ain't right! I keep seeing all these yo-yo's on their so-called e-bikes, F'ing up Toronto traffic on a daily basis. Surely to Dog there's something you can do?

[augidog]

toystory'...we tried doing "something" back when it mattered, for years us few serious MaBicyclists warned the group that failure to self-regulate will lead to over-regulation.

that's the facts jack!

it's rider behavior, and not the vehicle itself...and it's gonna happen to EaBicycles too.

i'm gonna keep my original Golden Eagle belt drive and the new 47cc for eventual use somehow somewhere, and am working on a sweet little "retro" ElectriCruiser project which i'll be happy to cross-post on DIYgk.

i still LOVE the concept i developed here, i know the details and what to buy, and noone says i can't come back to it someday...maybe something for the 3/8mi dragstrip only 10 miles from here.

to prioritize responsibly tho, i'm selling off this very cool but too intense project to bankroll & maintain what i already have going.

it's not a big deal, bro, i'm still having a blast DIY'ing within my means.