Custom build with Honda motor

[JohnRobHolmes]

I am in process of building a full suspension "moped" and will be fabricating everything with a mish mash of bike and motorcycle parts, and some welding and time. I need to find a power plant for it, and don't want to fool with the motored bicycle conversions. I want a strong Honda motor that I can get replacement parts for. So maybe I can steal a powerplant from a Honda scooter instead of a power tool?

I want to use a different rear wheel, so I will need some adaptation. Is there a honda scooter that uses a chain instead of belt, or could the belt drive be adapted somehow? I will be using a MTB rear hub so I can have gears in other parts of the drive.


Just fishing for ideas on a powerplant that is powerful, reliable, and will last thousands of miles.

[JohnRobHolmes]

Maybe an offroad motor would be a good suit. I don't really want gears, but the output would be easier to deal with for me.

Ramble ramble...

[burnt_toast]

all honda scooters discussed in this forum are belt drive

whatever you're making, swap in dio ftw

had to claim that before others chime in

[mousewheels]

Check out mopeds too. They often have a chain, no gears (a plus you say? ) and couldmake a compact powertrain to mount in something other than a scooter

Dac is a big poster of moped pics and info
http://www.hondaspree.net/phpBB3/viewto ... d&start=15

[devenex]

Doesn't the yamaha Razz have chain drive?

[burnt_toast]

Doesn't the yamaha Razz have chain drive?

yes, but it would be a rather pathetic powerplant for a custom swap.. imo

kinda same thing with mopeds, not a whole lotta power

[Kenny_McCormic]

You could go get a XR50 or CRF 50 motor. That would be nice and self contained unlike a huge scooter engine that is meant to be used as a swingarm.

[Videonut]

I agree an honda xr50 motor would work GREAT and it has tons of power. the drive sprocket is the only stumbleing block and you can get them anywhere.

here is a nice place to look at what it looks like and cheep.
http://www.pccmotor.com

there you can get tons of different engines from the weed whacker to the v-twin honda.
videonut

[JohnRobHolmes]

I found a guy that swapped his CRF50 motor for a bigger one and has it up for sale. I think that would do very well! In Missouri it needs to have an automatic tranny, but since it is a semi-auto I think it would do very well and could easily pass an inspection if needed.

Best thing is that aftermarket parts are everywhere and I am decent at working on 4 stroke stuff. I have been looking at some of the china motors, but the pull of Honda is swaying me.

[maddog]

if you want a full suspension moped/scoot look for a cpi-gtr 50

[Lunytune]

In Missouri it needs to have an automatic tranny, but since it is a semi-auto I think it would do very well and could easily pass an inspection if needed

You lost me. There is no inspection on 50's in Missouri, and as long as it stays in some semblance of a scooter or moped, I don't think you would have to worry about inspection of a rat.

[JohnRobHolmes]

Im talking about roadside inspection, not state inspection Plus my GF could drive it with just a CF clutch.


That cpi looks pretty badass. Thats pretty much what I am building, but lighter, more rat bike and chromoly.

[Lunytune]

Im talking about roadside inspection, not state inspection

You still lost me. Are you in KC or SL? I don't understand your roadside inspection. My rat is very loud and I've run right by LEO's without lights hooked up. It is still under construction.

[JohnRobHolmes]

Im in columbia. Even though I don't expect problems, I want to be sure that everything is good in case I did get stopped or was asked questions. They can impound an unlicensed vehicle if it has a hydro clutch.

[Lunytune]

AH! Tigerland. I have searched the law previously but couldn't remember, so I searched the law again. As soon as business hours tick around, I'll make my way to local DMV, i.e. tag office for a booklet.

I would be much more concerned over the legality of a rat than the hydro clutch. This much I confirmed by googling:
1. Top speed 30mph. That would get most of us, especially those who change gears and variators.
2. Max 3hp. We're all beat, except maybe the stock Spree and Elite E. Even the Metro is something like 4.5hp.
3. Auto - Most scooters are variator, but I think some mopeds may have a two speed system, and somehow are still legal.

Something else I did discover on google, I thought lights were required statewide. Not so. That is a municipal issue, as are helmets. We are not required helmet here, but Sikeston requires minimum of bicycle helmet. Some cities require more. Legislature has passed a repeal of the helmet law for all 2-wheelers. Haven't heard if Governor has signed it.

So you see, this is why I am confused with your concern over the hydro-clutch. That is the least of your worries. All of us are already in violation on max speed and horsepower, thinking we slide in under the 50cc rule, even though we exceed that with overbores. My wife's NQ50 is the only "legal" scooter we own. With two overbores and a Dio that clocks 40mph, we're beat.

But I would also be concerned over the status of a rat in Columbia. I suspect you are a college student or college age (could be wrong), and know how LEO's watch students. Profiling, yes. But that's the way it is. I do know that because I'm a gray headed ole fart, I get away with a lot that local fuzz won't tolerate from the kids. They will be watching your rat.