Any Advice For A Beginner / Azusa Kit

[SushiDog]

I am new here, and have learned a lot about Mini Bikes from these Forums. Well, I am retired, and am about to venture into my first Mini Bike build in a few weeks. I am LQQKing for any advice or wisdom anyone can share with me before I start my build.
I am planning to purchase the Azusa 8" wheel Mini Bike Kit, and I just purchased a Greyhound 6.5 hp engine from Harbor Freight last night. I am sure the kit comes with instructions, but perhaps if someone here has put one of these kits together, they might be able to give me some helpful and useful tips before I start, and while going through the build. I do have some other reservations and questions, but I shall hold back on those for future posts. I deeply appreciate any input from anyone here. Thanks!

 

[r_chez_08]

I have heard that the 8" wheels are quite small and the sprocket can hit the ground on sharp turns. (I'm assuming that 8" includes the tyre.)
I have 11" wheels and they look almost too small. If you could get some 12 or 13" or bigger minibike wheels it might be better.
Rob

 

[SushiDog]

Larger Wheels, Huh?

Thanks for your advice on the wheel size r_chez_08....I believe I can get up to a 10" wheel on that Azusa Kit, but I don't know if they go any larger than that....
What would be your advice on having a larger wheel in the rear, and a smaller wheel size on the front?
Where can I get some larger wheels that you are talking about? Since I am very new to this, the wheel size we are talking about is the diameter of the rim, correct?
SushiDog

 

[r97]

think you guys are confused, he is getting the mini bike with an 8" rim.

 

[SushiDog]

Size Tire Is Size Of Rim?

r97....thanks for your post....yes....I believe when we talk about tire size, we are actually talking about the size of the rim....and yeah! Talk about confusing! Ha, ha, ha! This will be my first build, and that's why I would like people like yourself and others share some of the "ins" and "outs" in building this kit....I guess the most interesting "should-of"; "could-of"; "would-of" stories would be of great help....
r_chez_08 brought up an interesting take on the sprocket...as I have read other posts on different forums, what he shared with me always comes up....the sprocket being too low to the ground on left hand turns....then the question comes up in my mind: "Why would the manufacturer not consider this aspect?"
Anyway, I am sure there are many people who have built an Azusa Kit, and I sure would relish and cherish their experiences doing so....
SushiDog

 

[Russ2251]

I have 11" diameter tire with a 72 tooth sprocket. No issues.

 

[SushiDog]

Hmmmm?.....Thanks for the 411 Russ2251....so....I might as well order a smaller tire size for the bike because of cost differences, and then purchase the 11" wheels to put on the bike? SushiDog

 

[bighead]

you can pick honda z50 wheels up an ebay pretty cheap. They also have brakes built in.

They sale for about $10 to $30 with tire,wheel,brakes and sprocket.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Z50-...1306416QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

A complete set. To much but good pics.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Hond...6583894QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Here is a really nice set you can bid on.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Hond...5979169QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

I like the z50 wheels for you can kill a lot of birds with one stone. Front brakes as well.

 

[SushiDog]

Thanks so much for the 411 and link bighead! I will definitely check those out....I really appreciate all of the help....every little bit helps me a great deal...
Has anyone here built the Azusa Kit yet?
SushiDog

 

[bighead]

I have not built one no. Are you stuck on building your own frame? if not you can look on CL for some deals. Do you live in the States?

Are you going to be using a Jack Shaft? Sorry I have no help with the Azusa. I am sure people have though. You found the right forum for your Mini Bike.

 

[newrider3]

Woah, you all are confusing tire height and rim diameter. The Azusa minibike kit can come with 8" diameter wheels, which come with 480-8 tires. Those are a trailer type tire that measure about 16.5" tall. It can also be spec'd with 5" or 6" diameter wheels (as a cheaper option), these are the ones that come with 10" to 12" tall tires.

 

[SushiDog]

***bighead***Thanks for asking me your questions....I am planning to order an Azusa Mini Bike Kit 8" Wheel from OMB Warehouse at the end of this month (January)...so before I make any decisions on the order, I am seeking advice before I do so...I do reside in the States (Sacramento, California), and have a home in Japan....I have heard of a "jack shaft" on other posts, but as I have mentioned previously, I am totally ignorant of this hobby thus far...this project is for my grandson and myself....just because you have not built an Azusa, you have given me some valuable information and insight....just what is a "jack shaft", and what does it do?
***newrider3***Thanks for your input as well...this tire thing is something else (smile) Here is the deal money wise on the 8" wheel & 10" wheel kits....the 8" wheel kit costs $299.99, and the 10" wheel kit costs $369.99....so this leads me to a few questions: (1) If the wheel is smaller, does this mean the speed of the mini bike is faster? and (2) Does the sprocket size determine the speed of the mini bike, and not the tires? It seems that the big issue of tires is the sprocket being too close to the ground on left hand turns....I am really interested in anyone's reply on these questions....and remember, I am using a Greyhound 6.5 hp engine from Harbor Freight....I LQQK forward to everyone's replies....SushiDog

 

[newrider3]

The sprocket size as well as the tire size determine top speed. The taller your tire, the higher the top speed (and consequently a reduction in low end torque).
From what I can see, the 8" wheel kit comes with 480-8 tires, while the 10" wheel kit comes with 350-10 tires. These are going to be nearly equal in height, with the 10" tires being "lower-profile".
The only difference between the two is the aesthetics. The 10" wheels have a more old-school look, while the 8" wheels are cheaper, and use more readily available common trailer tires.

 

[SushiDog]

***newrider3***Thanks for your input....after I made my last post....I got to thinking about tire size and sprockets....and I came up with the same conclusion as what you stated in your post....and I thank you so much for everything you have shared with me...
***I suppose I would like to build the mini bike for power....I really need the maximum hp out of the engine for negotiating trails, etc...you see, although I am retired, I am a part-time gold miner, and so when I am in some area's to prospect, other than on my own mining claims, sometimes I need to locate a trail away from the area where I park my truck, and that could be a little bit away from my original starting point....
***I am still interested in this "jack shaft" that was mentioned...what is it? and what does it do?
SushiDog

 

[Doc Sprocket]

A jackshaft is used to accomplish compound gear reduction. In a normal setup, you would have the clutch connected by chain directly to the axle sprocket. You can only accomplish so much gear reduction before the rear sprocket ends up bigger than the tire... A jackshaft is an intermediate shaft that would have a drive and driven sprocket on it to further reduce the overall gear ratio, yet maintain a reasonably sized rear sprocket. You would then have- Your clutch connected by chain to a larger sprocket on the jackshaft. The jackshaft spins, turning a smaller sprocket on it, which is connected by chain to the axle sprocket. To illustrate- Let's suppose you need a 10:1 reduction ratio. To do this without a jackshaft, and with a 10 tooth clutch, you would need a 100 tooth axle sprocket- HUGE!
Now, if you had that same clutch driving a 20 tooth jackshaft sprocket, the jackshaft would be turning at a 2:1 primary reduction ratio from the engine. Now, put another 10 tooth on the output of the jackshaft, and a 50 tooth on the axle for a secondary reduction ratio of 5:1. Combined, you have a 10:1 compound reduction ratio, yet the axle sprocket is half the size, you see?

 

[SushiDog]

***toystory_4wd*** Wow! Thanks for the easy to understand use for a jack shaft, and what it does! You really have this stuff down pat, toystory, and I have to say you're a genius!
***So now for the big question: IF you were buying an Azusa Mini Bike Kit from OMB Warehouse, how would you order it, if money was no object? I sure am glad that I found this Forum, and with people like yourself ready to chime in and help a fellow like me, it really takes away some of the intimidation of doing a first build....I am deeply grateful you took the time and interest in educating me! SushiDog

 

[bighead]

Here some pics of a Jack shaft. A few version anyway.

Also if your making a hunting a prospecting bike. You may want to check out this thread. You can make a bike that will go anywhere out of an old three wheeler.

http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=9709

 

[bighead]

Here is a mini bike for $65 cash.
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/mcy/2174784411.html

One for $210
http://modesto.craigslist.org/mcy/2173600776.html

Interesting one for $250
http://modesto.craigslist.org/rvs/2167054372.html

Nice one for $125.
http://goldcountry.craigslist.org/mcy/2165740548.html

This is why I ask if your stuck on building your own from the Azusa kit. You can find some pretty cheap deals if you shop well on CL. But I also understand if you want the kit. If your gold mining I would look into the three wheeler conversion. Mini Bike just seems small for what you are wanting to do. Or if you want a mini bike look into the tote gote mini bikes.

Like these http://www.google.com/images?q=toat...ct=mode&cd=2&ved=0CA4Q_AUoAQ&biw=1579&bih=664

Also from this site. http://www.diygokarts.com/bike-plans/offroad-bike-overview.html

 

[SushiDog]

***bighead*** Wow! and Wow! (Big Smile) Your pics and links are priceless!!! Thanks soooooo much! I will check out those links, and I will post what I find and do....I am not an Ebay person, but my daughter is....that rig for $65 LQQKs really sweet! I sure wish you were living near me in Sacramento....
***Thanks for taking your time and effort to post those pics, and I am deeply grateful, and appreciate your help very very much!!!
(Gosh! I hit a gold mine! - pardon the pun)
SushiDog

 

[bighead]

All the mini bikes I posted for sale were on craigslist and in the Sac area. All you need to do is call or email them. Do you know what Craigslist is?