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Aye, mopeds typically have the seat too low for easy pedaling, and the pedals are often set wide on short cranks - they are there for the legalities. A recumbent setup increases safety and reduces wind resistance . However, before learning all the other engineering, look at the basic power numbers. That Honda cub engine is breathing hard most of the time. It is putting out about 50 times as much power as the average cyclist, so adding pedals, even if they are effectively arranged, just gives you an exercycle on a motorcycle. It could be fun various ways, but not a great advance mechanically.
John Tetz has built pedal streamliners with two and three wheels, using a weed-eater motor to assist on hills only. He averages around 30 MPH @ 1,000 MPG. The nice thing about a low-power pedelec is that it can both encourage your own efforts, and even out the output you have to make, and even if the battery dies, you are still mobile.
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