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I just picked up a bicycle on FB Marketplace for $50 to use as the basis for a motorbike conversion. It is an oddball of a bike -- Trek Lime Lite (Circa 2008 or so). Didn't really know much about it until I got it home (I just liked the clean look for a starting canvas for the build, it is an aluminum frame, and Trek has a good reputation). Come to find out, it is has an electronically controlled 3-speed automatic transmission. The front wheel hub has a magneto that powers a small "computer" (PLC, sensors, actuator) under the crank. The computer then controls a three-speed planetary gearbox in the rear hub via cable.
It hadn't been ridden in 7 years, so I cleaned it up, aired the tires, and took it for a ride. The automatic transmission is actually quite slick. There is a 5 position adjustment on the side of the computer where you can change the shift points. I have it set on position 4 because I prefer pushing harder on a slower rotation.
Anyway, I am planning on picking up a 100cc 2-cycle motor conversion kit from Ebay for about $120. Because I want to style the bike to evoke some of the look of the very early motorized bicycles, I have opted for the black motor kit.
Aesthetically, I have inverted the handlebars and ordered new vintage-style handgrips. I am going to replace the chain guard with a black painted steel chain guard and add a pair of black painted steel fenders. I also inverted the seat bracket to lower the seat another inch an cut 1.5 inches off the seat post receiver to get it as low as possible. Going to tweak the look with a bunch of little things like removing reflectors and decals/stickers and polishing aluminum parts on my buffing wheel.
No rush to get this done. Might take all winter for all I know. But I just wanted a little project to tinker on. When I get it done I might try to flip it for a profit so I can do another similar bike build.
It hadn't been ridden in 7 years, so I cleaned it up, aired the tires, and took it for a ride. The automatic transmission is actually quite slick. There is a 5 position adjustment on the side of the computer where you can change the shift points. I have it set on position 4 because I prefer pushing harder on a slower rotation.
Anyway, I am planning on picking up a 100cc 2-cycle motor conversion kit from Ebay for about $120. Because I want to style the bike to evoke some of the look of the very early motorized bicycles, I have opted for the black motor kit.
Aesthetically, I have inverted the handlebars and ordered new vintage-style handgrips. I am going to replace the chain guard with a black painted steel chain guard and add a pair of black painted steel fenders. I also inverted the seat bracket to lower the seat another inch an cut 1.5 inches off the seat post receiver to get it as low as possible. Going to tweak the look with a bunch of little things like removing reflectors and decals/stickers and polishing aluminum parts on my buffing wheel.
No rush to get this done. Might take all winter for all I know. But I just wanted a little project to tinker on. When I get it done I might try to flip it for a profit so I can do another similar bike build.
