LesMiserable

[Oldbiscuit]

Going from 3/4 hp to 2 1/2. I think it’ll have enough hp. Plus I’m having the head decked .060 which should raise the compression and give me even more hp.

 

[Oldbiscuit]

Got the tool box lid attached and box mounted, now just need to design and install some kind of latch.

 

[Oldbiscuit]

Well, I went to my buddy’s lathe and turned me a handle. Took it home, drilled, tapped, and fitted it to a cam and shaft. Works great and still has that old time look to it.

 

[Ulu]

The toolbox is looking really cool. I want to do something like that on my bike to carry some tools & patches.

 

[Oldbiscuit]

Thanks you SOF . Hopefully this spring I can get it painted and pinstriped. You should build one, just takes a little time and patience.

 

[Ulu]

Unfortunately it is way down the list on my “projects to worry about”. I just throw my tools in a bag.

 

[Oldbiscuit]

Got the bike outside, fueled up and took it for a test ride. Ran great until I got a piece of junk in the needle and seat and it started flooding on me. Got it back home, running super rich. Fixed the carb and ready for another ride tomorrow, gotyard work to do at home first.

 

[Ulu]

It really looks like it should be running on alcohol. The DIY kind.

 

[Oldbiscuit]

I was telling a buddy I was gonna run it on nitro-meth and his wife asked me if I was using meth !!

 

[Ulu]

I remember this interview where whatever the "secret formula" was for some drag racing fuel, it always contained some fancy wine.

It became a running joke, like:

Howard: "What fuel are you running today Jocko?"

Jocko: "Well, 70% alcohol, 20% nitro, and 10% Napa Sonoma Mendecino 1972."

Howard: "Was '72 a good year for fuel, Jocko?"

Jocko "I guess we'll find out in a minute, Howard."

 

[Tallbikeman]

Lovely job on this retro motorized bicycle. I noticed the notches in the left rear wheel stays and was wondering if the rear wheel was hard to work out of the frame for flats and such. Your clutch handle reminds me of the reverse bar in steam locomotives. The steam locomotive reverse lever was called a Johnson bar.

 

[Oldbiscuit]

Thanks, the left status held on with two bolts and the axle nut. Not hard to remove the wheel.

 

[Oldbiscuit]

Here’s a short startup video

 

[Oldbiscuit]

And a short test ride. What a hoot !! Thing runs great.

 

[Ulu]

With such a low overall gearing, I imagine you feel quite a bit of compression braking if you chop the throttle.

Are you running with a leather belt?

 

[Oldbiscuit]

My primary drive belt is a V belt and the secondary belt is a serpentine belt. I did rivet leather belting to the surface of the rear rim

 

[Oldbiscuit]

Well I took it all apart, sanded it, primed and painted it. I ended up with a semi gloss finish as I wanted it to look more homemade,

period correct.

 

[Tallbikeman]

What a lovely job you did on this motorized bicycle. Paint job looks great. Loved the videos of it being started and ridden.

 

[Oldbiscuit]

I looked back and realized it was almost a year to the day for this build. Didn’t quite make the deadline for the build off, but I did get it finished ! Thank you to all for the compliments and likes, it makes building these contraptions worth it !

 

[Tallbikeman]

Are you able to start this motor by pedaling then pushing your clutch engagement lever forward and thus spinning your motor. I noticed you had a very nice speed for your bike. Not too fast. Lots of fellows I know are trying to cheap substitute a motorcycle and gear their motor driven bikes to ridiculous speeds.