As I jus' set the seat & stuff on it sos I could set on it for the first time & make the vroomie noises t... erm... I mean check ergonomics and proper control placement ofc *innocent look* ...aaand I'm so overjoyed to report that my wild guestimates, daydreams, and indecipherable doodles that I like to call "math" have actually resulted in success - I figured I'd go ahead and post it up here, although admittedly it's nowhere near completion (batteries, tank & seat mounts, chains, derailleurs & jack shaft, as well as wiring & cables ofc).
It's also my first "Rat Rod" (depending on definition ofc lol)... so, I thought ya'll just might get a kick outa my abomination :wink:
First off while it may look fast as heck, I gotta point out that it's not actually built for maximum speed... in fact I'll be quite happy if it's got even close to the same top speed as my two stroke builds. Generally speaking the four strokes (this 'un being a 49cc Lifan) aren't as competitive in raw speed alone as their two stroke brethren & the electric hub motor I'm using (48v GM 'Magic Pie') is reported to pooch out in the high twenties - at which point it becomes dead weight at best, a significant drag if I'm using it's regenerative charge features. The only advantage I've got in regards to top speed is the recumbent aspect, the reduction of frontal area lessening the wind resistance.
What I'm trying to achieve with this "tribrid" is quiet comfort with a combination of range/efficiency and improved acceleration - both of which are somewhat questionable what with the added weight & mechanical drag. The advantage of experimenting with an electric hub is should the results be less than satisfying I can always just put the hub on another bike - but I'm really hoping it'll not come to that.
Overall this build is mostly for the sheer experimentation, an excuse to tinker w/both a four stroke and an electric drive and a recumbent tadpole configuration. Were it for speed, I coulda saved myself quite a bit of time & money and gone with a Morini two stroke on a lightweight unsuspended taddy, which would make for a sick machine actually & I kinda hope someone will build one lol... my "best case scenario" is something that uses little fuel for my short commute, offering comfort & reliability for the long hauls (daydreamin' of cross country trips & camping adventures) - but really more than anything else, just the fun & education of tryin' ta make all the pieces fit;
Build log: http://motorbicycling.com/f44/bent-zomb ... 10-20.html
Photo album: http://s305.photobucket.com/albums/nn21 ... ?start=all
It's also my first "Rat Rod" (depending on definition ofc lol)... so, I thought ya'll just might get a kick outa my abomination :wink:
First off while it may look fast as heck, I gotta point out that it's not actually built for maximum speed... in fact I'll be quite happy if it's got even close to the same top speed as my two stroke builds. Generally speaking the four strokes (this 'un being a 49cc Lifan) aren't as competitive in raw speed alone as their two stroke brethren & the electric hub motor I'm using (48v GM 'Magic Pie') is reported to pooch out in the high twenties - at which point it becomes dead weight at best, a significant drag if I'm using it's regenerative charge features. The only advantage I've got in regards to top speed is the recumbent aspect, the reduction of frontal area lessening the wind resistance.
What I'm trying to achieve with this "tribrid" is quiet comfort with a combination of range/efficiency and improved acceleration - both of which are somewhat questionable what with the added weight & mechanical drag. The advantage of experimenting with an electric hub is should the results be less than satisfying I can always just put the hub on another bike - but I'm really hoping it'll not come to that.
Overall this build is mostly for the sheer experimentation, an excuse to tinker w/both a four stroke and an electric drive and a recumbent tadpole configuration. Were it for speed, I coulda saved myself quite a bit of time & money and gone with a Morini two stroke on a lightweight unsuspended taddy, which would make for a sick machine actually & I kinda hope someone will build one lol... my "best case scenario" is something that uses little fuel for my short commute, offering comfort & reliability for the long hauls (daydreamin' of cross country trips & camping adventures) - but really more than anything else, just the fun & education of tryin' ta make all the pieces fit;
Build log: http://motorbicycling.com/f44/bent-zomb ... 10-20.html
Photo album: http://s305.photobucket.com/albums/nn21 ... ?start=all
Thanks tho, it's much appreciated... tho my dominating the basement w/my bicycle silliness may not be so by my heathen housemates lol 
