Looking for advice on motor for mini chopper build

[zogthegreat]

Hi everyone!

I picked up mini chopper frame for $40 at a yard sale:

My original plan was to put an electric motor on it, but now I am considering a gas motor. I've been going through the forum to get more information/knowledge/understanding of what I am planning to do when I came across this thread:

http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=37827

in post number 4, anickode talks about how 18" tires won't spin. I'm not looking to spin my tires, (although I understand the desire ), but one thing that I am considering is putting a 49cc motor so that it will be a street legal ride, (with lights, mirror, etc).

So my question is will 49cc motor be enough to push this chopper to around 30 - 35 mph or should I for forget about street legal and drop on a Predator 212, (or bigger, like a Predator V Twin 22 hp! ), and just make a off road ride?

Thanks!

zog

 

[KingCobra]

How many threads is this posted on?? Seems I've seen this cool ride before elsewhere here with many more photos..... These choppers or any other CHOPPER was never intended for off road nor will they ever be in that condition. I have seen some home built with fat tires that would be cool a trail bikes in that case,but, yours...... no way should it go off road and especially as a rigid frame. YES, .49cc will hit 35-40 mph ( see my chopper thread) and with that front tire, I doubt you will be able to steer too well in dirt. Paved roads and dirt roads but never 'off-rode' which I consider bumpy terrain which could kill a RIGID if not it's rider in no time. Even riding around a grassy yard would not be cool. You need room to turn these things. Why a new thread again? What brand is that?? I don't mess with motorcycle type engines because of all the garbage and wiring that goes with it. I would never take mine off road and abuse it unless I considered it a piece of junk that I could trash withing the first 100 yards of dips, bumps and mud. Do you think mine's an off-roader? Just put a Preditor on it and enjoy it!

 

[zogthegreat]

Thanks for the information KingCobra,

How many threads is this posted on??

LOL, I think that I have three threads on this frame. When I start my build, I'll ask the moderator to move my thread from the electric forum to minibikes and choppers.

I'm not sure what I'm doing with this build yet, so when in doubt, ask someone who knows more than you is my philosophy. I'm pretty good at electric scooter builds and I'm really good with DC motors, but when it comes to small engines, this will be my first attempt.

BTW, I love the paint on your chopper. It looks awesome!

 

[mckutzy]

Youll need a scooter motor... not a pocketbike motor.... yes it has the same displacement, but the power made by the scooter is far greater than the little motor...
Also typically speaking they will also have a geny/alternator to power lights....

 

[zogthegreat]

Youll need a scooter motor... not a pocketbike motor

Hi ,

When you say scooter motor, do you mean something like this?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/139QMB-50C...ash=item4ce666b75e:g:9YkAAOSwEeFVOuQS&vxp=mtr

for something like this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Brand-New-...ash=item3af727632d:g:Hm8AAOSwLEtYjNjp&vxp=mtr

(I know this one has a larger displacement, I can't find a 50cc).

 

[bob58o]

How many threads is this posted on?? Seems I've seen this cool ride before elsewhere here with many more photos.....

Does a picture of your bike need to be in everybody else's thread. How many different places are you going to post the picture of your bike. How does a pic of your bike contribute to this thread?

 

[zogthegreat]

Does a picture of your bike need to be in everybody else's thread. How many different places are you going to post the picture of your bike. How does a pic of your bike contribute to this thread?

I felt that If I showed people what I was working with, I would get better advice. I have remover the pic and will remove it from other threads.

 

[KingCobra]

Does a picture of your bike need to be in everybody else's thread. How many different places are you going to post the picture of your bike. How does a pic of your bike contribute to this thread?

At least I made a contribution eh...Now you really done it! You've really done gone and hurt my feewins this time............

Thanks for the information KingCobra, I'm not sure what I'm doing with this build yet, so when in doubt, ask someone who knows more than you is my philosophy. I'm pretty good at electric scooter builds and I'm really good with DC motors, but when it comes to small engines, this will be my first attempt.

BTW, I love the paint on your chopper. It looks awesome!

Well thank you very much! Too bad we didn't have more kind people like you, after all, this is YOUR thread isn't it! As far as asking 'know it alls', I guess you better ask skippy then, he seems to think he knows more that any of us..... Sorry if my photo being in your thread offends you like it does someone else....I didn't mean to invade your thread like this........ I will remove it if you want me too.........Just thought it might give you some ideas. Kinda like the parking of awesome looking choppers in the chopper corral..... Hey, where did the photo of your cool chopper go????? Were you told that you are a photo hog to? WAIT! Don't ask skippy LMBO!!!!! Google > LIFAN< cycle engines and try ebay, they have a lot of choices. Bring a photo of that awesome looking chopper back so I can study it some more. Did you measure for space? Get a 125 cc 5 speed w/ clutch 'Lifan'. I think you'll be pleased.

I hope this video helps but I really see you buying a Pred 212 for $130 or so ready to bolt in and go instead, unless you are willing to bolt or weld on the motor mounts for the engine. I got cold feet and went the simple powerful route.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_nHMz0-GFY


https://www.ebay.com/i/222223739067?chn=ps&dispctrl=1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08cZmaHuBzE

And for us chopper lovers!!!! Enjoy!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wK1U4iq3Q0

And for your enjoyment, kick back and maybe get some ideas.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwKQYHs60wo

The story of the choppers!!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNbwPWLJ9bo

 

[zogthegreat]

Hey, where did the photo of your cool chopper go????? Were you told that you are a photo hog to?

I've been on the internet a LONG time and BBS before that, so as a general rule I take a step back and try to mind my manners when joining a new forum. When an older forum member tells me that I'm stepping over the line, I respect that. I'm here for knowledge, not confrontation.

However, since you requested it...

As I said earlier, I post pics to let people know exactly what I have, (a picture is worth a thousand words, etc..).

Did you measure for space?

I measured the frame and here are the dimensions, (all measurements are taken from the inside of the frame):

When I first bought the frame, I thought that it was a homemade job. But I was looking at the pics of your chopper and I think that the are the same frames. The rear axle mounts look like they are identical.

Google > LIFAN< cycle engines and try ebay, they have a lot of choices. Get a 125 cc Lifan. I think you'll be pleased.

Err, I believe that the gentlemans tastes are a bit rich for my blood. That, and the fact that trying to tell my girlfriend that I'm planning to drop $300.00 just for the engine on my new toy, she might paint my new toy with my blood!

But I do like that motor! A chopper should have a kick start! I'm going to put it on my list and try to come up with the money, although at 125cc, it would need to be plated.

Since the carbon fiber/kevlar tank that I'm planning will be the center piece of the build, (along with carbon fiber fenders), I need to decided on a motor before I start my fuel tank. I want the tank and motor to "blend" and look right.

 

[KingCobra]

I'm surprised you don't have a kinda back stop of sorts so you don't slide off onto that rear fender. How can that be comfortable, I don't know.. My seat pan is aluminum. I am going to do a Captain America look and build a king queen seat with a sissy bar.. Did you look at the videos to get some ideas? I enjoyed locating them. I've always had a fascination for fat tire mini bikes and choppers, and I can have both on one bike!!!

 

[zogthegreat]

I hope this video helps but I really see you buying a Pred 212 for $130 or so ready to bolt in and go instead, unless you are willing to bolt or weld on the motor mounts for the engine. I got cold feet and went the simple powerful route.

Yeah, I kinda see that route for me for my 1st build. I'm in central Florida for the winter, between Tampa and Orlando, and that allows me to get some really good areas for searching Craigslist for something that I could pull a motor from. Although I probably wont find one of those Lifan 125's, I might get lucky and find something nice.

I'm going to do a electric scooter build to play with the carbon fiber and get some experience with making molds and plugs so when I do the tank and fenders, I get what I am, (currently), visualizing in my head.

BTW, is there a way to put some type of alternator/generator on a 212? mckutzy mentioned that a scooter/moped motor would be able to run light and part of my design concept involves electronics.

I'm surprised you don't have a kinda back stop of sorts so you don't slide off onto that rear fender. How can that be comfortable, I don't know.. My seat pan is aluminum. I am going to do a Captain America look and build a king queen seat with a sissy bar.

A seat rebuild is definitely on the list, with a pan and some solo seat springs if I keep it a single seater. One of the nice things about a bare frame is that it's a tabula rasa, you can build anything with it. One thing that I am considering is making it into a soft tail. Another concept that I have is a trike.

Your Captain America idea is really cool, is that how you plan to finish your current build? (I'll have to rewatch Easy Rider!)

Did you look at the videos to get some ideas? I enjoyed locating them. I've always had a fascination for fat tire mini bikes and choppers, and I can have both on one bike!!!

Yes! Thanks! I've also been looking at pictures on Google images, there is some really great work out there! In the video with the woman riding the Captain America, the pipes have the sound that I would like to achieve. Deep and throaty, not like a lawn mower! As for the fat tire, yeah, I get that. When I got the frame, if it had been a regular mini bike frame, painted the same way, I probably wouldn't have given it a second look. But that big fat 18 x 8.5 tire......

---------- Post added at 11:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:09 PM ----------

BTW, is this one of your builds?

 

[KingCobra]

I think mine is the same exact frame! My measurements are the same and I would rather mount a Preditor V-Twin in there!! Remove all that metal housing crap on the engine to expose the realistic looking V-twin like I posted earlier. Then you need a 1" Driver clutch. BUT, my Pred 212cc will move me like a rocket. I had a Tecumseh 6 hp and it was awesome strong and fast and that is where the Comet 20 Torque-a-verter comes into play. I know it will take away any future headaches on larger installs........ AND those two arrows ( 11.5") are pointing the the perfect spot for a jack shaft install location!!!

BTW, is this one of your builds?

No, sorry, found it on google while doing my research for a fat tire mini bike LOL.......

 

[mckutzy]

Ya thats what I was referring to... a street scooter....

 

[zogthegreat]

Thanks mckutzy!

 

[OzFab]

LOL, I think that I have three threads on this frame.

Well, you shouldn't; we like to keep all related posts to a single thread, that way, when you ask a question, everyone knows what you're talking about without having to navigate all over the forums...

 

[zogthegreat]

Well, you shouldn't; we like to keep all related posts to a single thread, that way, when you ask a question, everyone knows what you're talking about without having to navigate all over the forums...

My apologies, I should have read the FAQ's more thoroughly:

http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=18832

"Please keep all related questions to one thread; in other words, if you have two seemingly unrelated questions regarding the same kart, etc, post both & all other enquiries relating to the same vehicle in a single thread; many different threads relating to the same kart, etc can be confusing"

Please mark this thread closed.

 

[landuse]

Please mark this thread closed.

Done