Bicycle powered by. . .a chainsaw?

[theunchosen]

I have been considering the issues at hand. . .and they are many. . . but I'm still going to go forward.

Yeah I decided on a different chain(tractor accessory chain ^_^ got it from the shop). The teeth on the bike are about right so maybe a little tweaking and I'll be ok there.

Bump start should be easy to implement. Sorry folks I'm not a hypermiler, The pedals will be coming off and going for stationary(solid) pegs.

The 5hp from the chainsaw. . .its a homelite x12 and I think its either 54 or 56 cc(normal scooters are under 50cc usually), will likely put me in range of truly terrifying speeds on just a bicycle.

I've ridden motorcycles. . .but they feel a little more protected at highway speeds while bicycles feel very uncomfortable at near highway speeds lol.

Pulse and glide would be very rough in the motor for this application(bump starting every time on such a small displacement engine). I think I'll be content with 130-150s.

I would have started and finished the project. . .but a friend had a clutch blow out so I had to drive over and start the replacement process. Just a few more bolts to get access to the clutch and then I have to put it back together. Probably sunday before I get time to do anything -_-. . .

It's officially too large of an engine to qualify as a scooter. . .but I think I can pop the name plate off and avoid any serious questions.

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by blueflame

Try a 29cc off a weedwacker. Cheap as chips, even new and super light. Buy with a warranty. I have a Honda 4 stroke weed wacker- perfect!.

Maybe better yet: I've seen rechargable electric weed whackers at Home Depot. Mount a sprocket, and there's your electric bike.

[Frank Lee]

I have a BikeBug aux bike motor with the friction wheel drive. It works but it's sensitive to tire pressure and proper adjustment. And it'll spin out if the tire gets muddy. I think there is a better way. Oh, and it's 22cc, 1.2 HP- it's enough.

You don't "tweak" chains and sprockets! Either they are made for each other and they fit, or not.

[theunchosen]

I know you can't change anything on the chain, but I have yet to compare it with the chain saw teeth(I know it won't fit). So I'll need to tweak the chainsaw to get that to work, and by tweak I mean find a new sprocket.

I'm seriously considering(since the chain I've got pretty closely fits the bike(if its not dead straight close enough I'll just go get the sprockets that are on teh tractor it goes with)) just using the bike's rear assembly. It allows the chain to spin free of the wheel if you aren't applying load and I am pretty sure it could survive the chainsaw as its going to be a much more steady loading rather than the pulse/cyclic loading that we perform pedaling.

James I thought about using the electric ones but the battery life was pretty short of the ones I saw at THD. I think it was about 15 minutes and that won't even get me to anywhere lol let alone there and back. I do have a few spare drill batteries(from non-functioning drills that don't mate up to the new counterparts) but. . .

If the project works out well I may go electric on MKII, which will be my test-bed for CF fabrication and I can build in battery mounts(and engine mounts for that matter) as well as have a lighter platform for the motor.

[GrapeApe]

Originally Posted by Bicycle Bob

2 stroke mopeds ...

Now there's an idea! There are plenty of tired mopeds sitting around. The motor is legal size and surly pulls the weight. Rebuild one and you wont have to worry about whether or not your weed eater is going to pull you. I'm 300 lbs my self and have read about weed eaters are best for teens or under 150 lbs adults.

Either way... I like the pusher trailer design using a small cart wheel on the ground. This keeps the bike legal with peddles and such, plus you can create a quick disconnect and a swing up or rack system for leg power mode (out of gas lol).

Take a look at the expensive but totally cool product Ride Kick

Now think of a small gas motor driving it. Use a fairly good size rock to hold traction. When you break down or run out of gas and have to go leg power, drop the rock off to live with other rock friends; Set it free! lol Then walk or peddle the bike home with just the weight of the motor and rack.

[Frank Lee]

If you peddle the bike then you will be walking for sure.

[jakobnev]

[FXSTi]

You could go FWD:


Or Go extreme:

[Sven7]

I do like the idea of the saw coming off the front- this is essential to a chainsaw powered cycle. Tell those pedestrians to GTFO of the way!

The rear mounted engine driving the cassette sounds like the best solution. You could even add a chain tensioner to the down tube.

[Stan]

Here's some not-so-crazy 2-stroke motorized bicycle eye candy for you...



You can check out his bike and lots of his other masterpieces at Sportsman Flyer.