Squishing a Honda GXH50 into a Huffy 24" boy's Cranbrook Cruiser Bicycle.
WARNING:
As of 2012, the Minnesota statutes have re-classified Motorized-Bicycles as MOPEDs and are
now required to be registered and plated. BUT!!! (and this is the part that makes me angry)
The DMV/DVS will NOT register "homemade" MOPEDs without a federally approved MSO (Manufacturer's Statement of Origin)
a.k.a. built in a federally recognized and registered factory.
Since *I* am the manufacturer, there is no way I can possibly do that.
I am currently pursuing registering it as a "Specially Constructed Vehicle" - lumped in with Choppers, Street-Rods, Reconstructions, and all other modified vehicles. These people want RECEIPTS!
When I started this project a year ago, it was a BICYCLE and I didn't bother keeping any receipts (who could have known?)
Do yourself a favor: SAVE ALL RECEIPTS!
Update: The comment section contains the instructions for "getting it registered & plated"
Many thanks to all the people who have helped me in this quest.
ANYWAY:
This bike project started out as a request from my wife:
She has a 4 mile hilly terrain commute to work (and she's very frugal)
We saw a youtube video of a motorized bicycle in action doing 30+ mph and getting 170 mpg.
AND THEN IT HAPPENED...
She said: "Can you build one of those?"
I said: "Hell yes!"
Then she said: "Well then, go ahead and build one for me"
SHE ACTUALLY SAID THAT !!! - I JUST ABOUT DIED FROM SHOCK!
(For the record, I think I have just about the best wife on the planet)
The 1st picture is a current (September, 2012) view of our new "MOPED".
1: It's got all the "legal" stuff taken care of... (it's been inspected, registered, plated, and insured)
2: The seat has been repositioned just as low to the ground as possible.
3: The headlight and all of the electronics have been upgraded - (see the schematic).
4: The turn signal/brake/horn switches have been upgraded.
5: The brake lights and turn signals have been upgraded.
6: The fuel filter has been upgraded.
7: The air filter is in the process of being upgraded.
It's DONE, FINISHED, COMPLETED, etc, etc, etc...
Whoa! Stop! Wait...
I've come to the realization that: THIS IS A NEVER ENDING PROJECT !!!!!
(run away! run away!)
Phew!
The 2nd picture was a recent (March, 2012) view of how far it had come over the last year or so that I've been working on it.
- A very upgraded version from before the "long, cold, winter of 2011 - that never happened in Minnesota"
The 3rd (or is that the 11th?) picture is how it looked right out of the box around May, 2011 (*some assembly required)
The rest is, well: A (very) detailed log of my work in progress...
Buy the ticket, take the ride...
(I hope you enjoy the trip)
WARNING:
As of 2012, the Minnesota statutes have re-classified Motorized-Bicycles as MOPEDs and are
now required to be registered and plated. BUT!!! (and this is the part that makes me angry)
The DMV/DVS will NOT register "homemade" MOPEDs without a federally approved MSO (Manufacturer's Statement of Origin)
a.k.a. built in a federally recognized and registered factory.
Since *I* am the manufacturer, there is no way I can possibly do that.
I am currently pursuing registering it as a "Specially Constructed Vehicle" - lumped in with Choppers, Street-Rods, Reconstructions, and all other modified vehicles. These people want RECEIPTS!
When I started this project a year ago, it was a BICYCLE and I didn't bother keeping any receipts (who could have known?)
Do yourself a favor: SAVE ALL RECEIPTS!
Update: The comment section contains the instructions for "getting it registered & plated"
Many thanks to all the people who have helped me in this quest.
ANYWAY:
This bike project started out as a request from my wife:
She has a 4 mile hilly terrain commute to work (and she's very frugal)
We saw a youtube video of a motorized bicycle in action doing 30+ mph and getting 170 mpg.
AND THEN IT HAPPENED...
She said: "Can you build one of those?"
I said: "Hell yes!"
Then she said: "Well then, go ahead and build one for me"
SHE ACTUALLY SAID THAT !!! - I JUST ABOUT DIED FROM SHOCK!
(For the record, I think I have just about the best wife on the planet)
The 1st picture is a current (September, 2012) view of our new "MOPED".
1: It's got all the "legal" stuff taken care of... (it's been inspected, registered, plated, and insured)
2: The seat has been repositioned just as low to the ground as possible.
3: The headlight and all of the electronics have been upgraded - (see the schematic).
4: The turn signal/brake/horn switches have been upgraded.
5: The brake lights and turn signals have been upgraded.
6: The fuel filter has been upgraded.
7: The air filter is in the process of being upgraded.
It's DONE, FINISHED, COMPLETED, etc, etc, etc...
Whoa! Stop! Wait...
I've come to the realization that: THIS IS A NEVER ENDING PROJECT !!!!!
(run away! run away!)
Phew!
The 2nd picture was a recent (March, 2012) view of how far it had come over the last year or so that I've been working on it.
- A very upgraded version from before the "long, cold, winter of 2011 - that never happened in Minnesota"
The 3rd (or is that the 11th?) picture is how it looked right out of the box around May, 2011 (*some assembly required)
The rest is, well: A (very) detailed log of my work in progress...
Buy the ticket, take the ride...
(I hope you enjoy the trip)
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As you can see in the photos, my original intent was to make a "V-Line Slash Cut" on the bottom of the frame parallel to the ground @ .375" above the chain wheel (plus and minus the .25" for the mount itself) .
It's hard to explain, but I think the pictures do a pretty good job of that. (see pic #3)
Then bend the forward frame to meet the "forward end" of the motor mount - to be welded later.
After the cuts were made and it was bent into shape, I decided that it didn't look quite sturdy enough.
So I drew up the plans for a 1/4" steel motor mount assembly in autocad, cut it out on the laser at work, and had a couple of the boys there weld it all together for me.
(again, I'm one lucky guy!)
It's hard to explain, but I think the pictures do a pretty good job of that. (see pic #3)
Then bend the forward frame to meet the "forward end" of the motor mount - to be welded later.
After the cuts were made and it was bent into shape, I decided that it didn't look quite sturdy enough.
So I drew up the plans for a 1/4" steel motor mount assembly in autocad, cut it out on the laser at work, and had a couple of the boys there weld it all together for me.
(again, I'm one lucky guy!)
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I HAVE A LICENSE PLATE!!!!
I went to the inspection site early this morning - armed with what I thought were the correct forms.
After waiting in line for 3 hours, I got the bike (oops, MOPED) inspected.
IT FAILED BECAUSE OF NO V.I.N.
At least THIS guy knew what I needed to do:
Go BACK to the DMV;
Fill out a "Statement of Facts" form;
Apply for a TITLE;
Supply 4-view PICTURES;
PAY the tax.
I went back to the DMV - who needed to call their "help desk" (and I use that term very loosely)
The "help desk" guy told her that MOPEDs don't get registered/plated.
I showed her the documentation that I printed out from the DMV website that contradicted what she was just told.
She told that to the guy at the "help desk" what I had - so he had to go talk to his supervisor.
When he came back he said something like: "Golly gee - I guess you do!"
Then she asked what the procedure was for doing that...
He had to go talk to his supervisor again.
It turned out that she had to do EXACTLY WHAT THE INSPECTOR SAID TO DO.
I walked out of there with a plate in my hands.
I'll be receiving a letter from the DMV letting me know when I can schedule an appointment to go BACK TO THE INSPECTOR to have HIM weld my new "V.I.N. PLATE" onto my bike (oops, MOPED).
Wotta nightmare!
At least my wife doesn't need to worry about getting pulled over now.
(phew!)
and I'm sure it would have cost more if I didn't work in a fabrication shop.
Yes, it's a single speed, and the big sprocket is for POWER (a.k.a. hill climbing ability)
The engine is at the maximum legal size for my region, as is its 30 MPH top speed.
Good looking bike though! You did a great job on it!
I went to the DMV today.
Apparently, I knew more on the subject than they did!
We came to the conclusion that I have to fill out an "AFFIDADIT OF RECONSTRUCTION/SPECIAL ASSEMBLY (page 2);
Bring THAT to the inspector (along with a full set of pictures);
Pass the inspection;
Bring HIS form back to the DMV.
THEN I can apply for MOPED plates.
At least now I have a plan!
But thank you for your support (grin)
Bogyman57
I have to get my butt out of bed at 7am to be at the inspection site by 8.
I haven't been up before NOON in TEN YEARS!!! (I work 2nd shift)
I'm not looking forward to the experience.
Is the "day-star" even out at that time of day???? (grin)
But seriously, unless it's running in the garage, there's plenty of ventilation - especially when it's moving. The only time the engine is running and the bike (oops, MOPED) is not moving while outside is at a stop light - and stop lights are usually very windy places.
Bogyman57
Thanks! (I think...)
A "rag joint" is a cheap method of attaching your sprocket to your bicycle wheel.
The "rags" are usually made from of old car tires and are sandwiched in between internal and external clamps (which attach to the sprocket) - the bicycle spokes themselves are inside of THAT sandwich.
In other words - it attaches your sprocket to the SPOKES, not the hub.
(I hope that made some sense)
Bogyman57
But, is not it a little weak that bike frame for a 50 cc engine?
But this is NOT for kids - it does 30 mph and climbs hills like nobody's business.
It's intended for street use (it's no dirt-bike!)
The frame has been reinforced, plus the addition of the motor mount and lower frame brace makes it quite a bit stronger than the original Huffy.
Glad to know that you reinforced the frame! This is a very good work, congratulations.