Building a Bicycle with a Gas Engine

This idea started a whimsical idea after running across a YouTube video of someone in Franklin Tennessee with an electric bicycle. I found the 80CC engine on ebay and started the process. After initially losing the bid on EBay the seller send me another offer and I took it! The MSRP on these engines can run $200 +. Needless to say I didn't give that much for this one... After a week or so waiting anxiously on UPS, the package arrived from BC Canada!

Now, with an engine and no bicycle I had to "go on a hunt"! A friend had told me of a used bicycle shop on the outskirts of town that also doubled as a tack shop. You gotta love Tennessee... The proprietor was fully aware of the bicycle conversion and made a suggestion of the cruiser pictured here. Ironically enough it is called an Earth Cruiser. All things considered I thought this would probably work very well for what I had intended to do. Contrary to that however, This was not a project for the complete idiot. It did involve some modification to the kit as well as some modification to the Bike itself.

The first issue is the sprocket that mounts to the rear wheel.... The hole is not large enough to accommodate the coaster brake or the diameter of the hub. After "enlarging" the hole things went smoothly until attempting to mount the motor... The Motor mount was not designed for such a large frame and there was some minor modifications there also. All in all, nothing was a "big issue" but again, this is not an installation for the complete idiot!

Finally after two nights of tinkering, modifying, beating, banging and with a few choice words I was ready for a test. I really thought this was going to be more difficult and cantankerous that than it turned out to be. I primed the carb, engaged the clutch and peddled away. at about 8-10 mph I released the clutch and it roared to life and I was cruising! Unfortunately that wasn't the end of the adventure... It seems that the back sprocket was considerable out of round with the wheel and took some work to finally get it lined up... Another night or two later the subsequent test went flawlessly! To date I have only about 50 or 60 miles on it but it purrs right along the weather herein Tennessee has gotten too cold to enjoy riding but I am anxiously waiting for warmer days!

The Preverbial First Post

Well, here we go! OK, seems like the thing to do... Blog... This is my first attempt and I am really not sure what might be some things to come. I am not a writer, I tend to have a conversational tone in general. So, wish me luck and I hope you enjoy it!

Here might be a few things I could write about in the life and times...

My experiences in boating, boat sales, the boat industry in general or Monterey boats? My creative side has a greater tendency to be a bit more "tactile" in nature i.e. I like to build stuff... Cars, like the Bradley GT, Bren's Volkswagen, the Long EZ, the newest gas powered bicycle, RC airplanes, Boats and more. In short, this verbal creation is a new thing although, I did take creative writing in High School...

Kirk Lewellen

The New Job!

WILLISTON, FL – Monterey Boats recently added Kirk Lewellen to its corporate roster. Effective immediately, Lewellen is the new regional sales manager for the Mid-Atlantic region, which includes TN, VA, NC, SC, GA and AL. Lewellen brings plenty of RSM experience to Monterey. He worked seven years as an RSM for Wellcraft Marine, as well as13 years prior to that as a sales manager and RSM for Hydra-Sports. Lewellen attended the Nashville State Technical Institute. His duties will include overseeing the dealer network in his area and establishing new dealer prospects.“Kirk has vast experience at the RSM position, and we feel he will be a true asset to not only our sales force, but also our growing dealer network,” said Monterey Boats Director of Marketing & Dealer Development Lou Vazquez. Monterey Boats, a leading independent boat manufacturer, has specialized in manufacturing premier quality sport boats, deck boats, sport yachts and cruisers for more than two decades and currently features 24 models ranging from 18’ to 41’. Monterey has a growing worldwide dealer/partner network, a dedicated staff of more than 600 skilled boatbuilders, and is an industry leader in designing and building superior pleasure boats. Every Monterey boat is NMMA certified and backed by a Lifetime Limited Warranty to assure continued customer confidence and satisfaction.For more information on Monterey Boats, visit www.montereyboats.com, or contact Mark Jerkins at Higher Advertising, Inc.: phone - 407.447.1340 or email - Mark@higheradvertising.com.