Motorized Beach Bike

[M G Koehler]

Saw this Beach bike and decided it needed to be motorized...

 

[Engine]

That's kind of cool. The first time I've seen a bike like that. Stick a motor on there and show us how it works.

 

[Bighead38]

I just bought the same bike but different colors.

 

[Lippyp]

Ahh so thats what they are called. I saw a guy riding one with massively wide wheels like that around the pits at the Hot Rod Drags recently, never seen one in the UK before. Looks kinda cool but like it'd be a ***** to get moving with all that weight and drag from the wide rubber.

 

[1969]

Yes, please show us the build.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Ahh so thats what they are called. I saw a guy riding one with massively wide wheels like that around the pits at the Hot Rod Drags recently, never seen one in the UK before. Looks kinda cool but like it'd be a ***** to get moving with all that weight and drag from the wide rubber.

I think they actually originated as bikes for use in the snow - I see a lot of people using them for commuting in Minnesota during the winter. Look online for a Surly Pugsley bike.

 

[gte718p]

They are getting to be fairly popular around here for beach riding. Quite a few ways to do it, what is your plan?

Personally I would just go with the hub motor and call it a day. That is not for everyone though.

 

[lilredex]

You might find some ideas here..

http://www.atomiczombie.com/default.aspx

 

[M G Koehler]

Here is the motor kit for a motorized bike. it is designed for a skinny tire bike so it will take some fab.

It is Made in China but surprisingly not bad quality

 

[Bighead38]

Gonna have to follow this closely because I would love to put a motor on mine. Are you upgrading from the coaster brake?

Here's mine fresh from the store:



After a little clean up:

 

[M G Koehler]

Got to add some cool "lighting" holes in the rear sprocket
and
modify the brake arm

 

[jd_1138]

There's even a trike version.

Might be easier and more practical to do a friction drive system where you simply have a lever that you pull up or down to raise/lower the engine on top of the front tire.

 

[tarbellb]

This is a newer trend in the bike industry. Check out Oskar Blues (delicious beer) bike company REEB.com. These are pretty high-end bikes.

http://www.reebcycles.com/the-bike/reebdonkadonk/#

 

[theoldwizard1]

The rolling resistance on payment must be hell !

 

[zkling]

Gonna have to follow this closely because I would love to put a motor on mine. Are you upgrading from the coaster brake?

That is awesome, one of my favorite color schemes.

The rolling resistance on payment must be hell !

They are typically geared pretty low on the front. Not designed for high speed road cruising. Especially the fixed gears.

 

[kerrynzl]

Here is the motor kit for a motorized bike. it is designed for a skinny tire bike so it will take some fab.

It is Made in China but surprisingly not bad quality

Why don't you get one of those Chinese electric bike conversions.
you lace the electric motor hub into the existing wheel.

They're quite quick, I nearly got flattened by one when I was living in China.

 

[nine4gmc]

Got to add some cool "lighting" holes in the rear sprocket
and
modify the brake arm

Looking good, what kind of mill?

 

[Lippyp]

The one I saw had little red reflectors all the way around the inside of the wheel rims like the one in post #13. Was cool cruising around the pits but I can't see it as a practical everyday bike.

 

[M G Koehler]

Enco mill - have a couple of lathes too

 

[M G Koehler]

Laying out the motor position - and cutting the frame - the motor needs to be off set a bit to clear the tire. Frame cuts easy with a sazall and a fine blade

 

[nine4gmc]

You need a bigger engine

 

[Elmo4895]

Visit this forum. I guarentee it will interest you. http://motorbicycling.com
I have built several motor bicycles and have another one in the works.
Elmo

 

[theoldwizard1]

Laying out the motor position - and cutting the frame - the motor needs to be off set a bit to clear the tire. Frame cuts easy with a sazall and a fine blade

Maybe it is the angle of the picture, but it looks like the pedal crank arm is going to hit the engine crankcase.

 

[M G Koehler]

Yes, that is one of the considerations in motor placement - it clears but not by much

 

[M G Koehler]

Fab'ed up a bracket to fit in the frame out of 1/4 x 1 3/4 crs and welded it in place -

 

[bulletpruf]

Why don't you get one of those Chinese electric bike conversions.
you lace the electric motor hub into the existing wheel.

They're quite quick, I nearly got flattened by one when I was living in China.

I'm in Beijing now. Electric bicycles are everywhere. Must outnumber mopeds/scooters/motorcycles 20:1.

 

[KTMrider]

I bought this...