Old 12-26-08, 10:00 PM
  #34  
Mabman
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: The F/V Misty Moon/Clatsop Co. OR homebase
Posts: 206

Bikes: Some

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I have been tracking the fossil fuel forums and have a few conclusions.

A: The prevalent ICE engine being used is the very engine that China banned and replaced with electric. They didn't ban their manufacture and sales to other countries however. These motors are 2 cycle and are 48cc and 66cc generally. With most opting for the larger motor, although it violates the federal size regulation of 49cc. There are manufacturers that state that their motors are EPA but the certification is listed as non-road.
EPA.jpg

And the quality of the motors is evident here:
照片 025.jpg
照片 022.jpg

The selling factor and the following these engines has is due to the fact that they are the cheapest motor available outside of stripping ones off chainsaws, leafblowers, weedwhackers etc. and believe me there is plenty of that going on in the garages of America also. Readily available on eBay as a kit and can be had for $129 shipped to your door. Probably won't get that sticker with one though cause it cost more for that.

B: The small 4 cycle engines that have been developed the last 10 years to qualify for CARB requirements have meant leaps and bounds of technology compared to the old B & S engines on that toro mower you used to push around the yard, or had on your mini bike. The cream of the tech crop though is the oil system actually. 4 cycle engines typically can't run upside down because oil from the sump will get in to the head and stop combustion. Ryobi was the first to make a vented oil system so that they could run their motor as you would be able to a 2 stroke, but this feature really only pertains to the aforementioned chainsaws etc.. Ryobi never did much with their motor but put it on cheap weedwhackers but Honda and Subaru/Robin both make excellent small engines in 25cc, 35cc and 49cc models. There is even a chinese knock off of the Honda motor. As far as noise pollution goes the 4 cycle engines can be muffled down to a very low tone. The 2 strokes are louder but can also be muffled well enough and will be when we get them on alcohol. Gear boxes can be noisy if straight cut gears are used, but more efficient drivetrains are being developed.

The price for these motors in kit form are typically 2 to 3 times the investment of their 2 stroke cousins, but offer better mileage and are cleaner burning on regular fuel that doesn't have to be mixed with oil. They are also bulkier and when mounted in the front triangle they are wider and require a much wider bb spindle or some form or bent outward cranks. This makes it awkward for actual pedaling but more on that in a minute.

C: As Buzzman said, some folks that have been around bicycles for a long time and are involved in the industry are starting to pay attention to this concept, more so than electric I am afraid. We are cyclists first and foremost whereas the motorized bike crowd tends to want to just get a motor going and stop in the middle of the hill for a smoke and aren't that interested in pedaling. But as a motor assist bicycle if you maintain the gearing to be able to keep resistance to the pedals at full range of the motor via gearing you not only get a nice workout, you get better mileage because you are staying on step with the motor more. It is a phenomenon that you have to experience. But I can guarantee that it is the one that will make converts out of the most holy in the end.

D: Research and Development is ongoing. Most of the people that are involved with this are willing to share information freely because they see it as something good and the more people that are involved and the sooner this type of technology is embraced the better. This is an interesting link that shows that perhaps the future of our planet is in good hands? http://anuj.ch.googlepages.com/ucb_smv_efi Of course there is the CPSC, the EPA and DOT to deal with and that will ultimately be the sludge that slows this down if allowed to.
Mabman is offline