(Ian)

Hello, this is my first post. I've been looking all over for a bike to attach a motor kit too, and the more I look the harder it seems to get

I need a steel frame in case I need to weld things.

I'd like it to have at least front suspension, preferably full.

It's very important that it has coaster brakes, because I'm going to remove the left handle-break to add the clutch.

In addition to this, there must be ample room in the frame to accommodate the motor kit.

I'm having a lot of difficulty finding a bike that fits this criteria...can I add a coaster brake to any bike?

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!

lz4005

The problem is you can't use a coaster brake with a spring loaded chain tensioner, and you usually have to have a chain tensioner on a rear suspension bike to keep the chain from falling off when the suspension flexes.

Depending on what kind of transmission you're using with the motor you may not be able to use one on that side either.

Your best bet is to use a hard-tail frame with suspension in the seat and/or seat post.

(Ian)

Thanks. Would a front suspension still work? I've heard that coaster brake bikes w/ front suspension exist but I can't find any.

lz4005

Not many coaster bikes are sold with them, but it is easy to replace the fork.
For safety's sake, you should consider a mountain bike suspension fork with a mechanical disc brake.

(Ian)

Thanks again. I bought a 26" Micargi Men's Rover GX Beach Cruiser today, and I think I should be able to mount the mountain bike suspension fork on that.

purplepeople

Since you are putting a gas motor on a bike, I have to assume you are mechanical enough to fabricate a chain driven cable actuator. IOW, you pedal backwards, the chain engages a reversed freewheel and that pulls on the rear brake cable. When you pedal forwards, the reverse freewheel spins... freely. I remember seeing something like this on a recumbent trike back in the 80's. IIRC, it was because the builder wanted to be able to activate all three brakes separately.

:)ensen.

lz4005

Most bikes with motors use the left side of the rear hub for the motor drive connection, so that might be an issue.

purplepeople

Wouldn't make a difference. The chain-driven brake cable actuator on that bike was on the return line between the chainrings and the first set of idlers. Only back-pedalling would activate it, and then it would pull on the rear brake cable. The actual rear hub had nothing to do with it.

:)ensen.

lz4005

Ok, I forgot about all the extra BS that goes on in the chainline of most recumbents.

Was it possible for that bike to roll backwards without the brake engaging?

purplepeople

Even on a DF it wouldn't make a difference. You just mount the system on the return line just aft of the chain rings. It'll be tight, but I believe it can be done.


It was a trike and I don't know as I never saw it going backwards. Probably not, since reversing the rear wheel pulls the chain and that would activate the brake.


:)ensen.

thebrokenspoke

I was looking @ motor kits last month and found something I thought was neat. It would solve all the brake issues. It was a Clutch/rear brake lever housing that mounted on your handle bars. Had both in one unit. Sorry that I don't recall where I saw it but should not be to hard to locate it.

evilcryalotmore

Ever think of double trigger? like stunt bikes? cut your grip a little, Shorten a brake lever so its small and stubby and have a long one that is the break a short on that is the clutch

(Ian)

I thought a double trigger might get in the way a bit and be awkward, but I may give it a shot. At this point I've already gotten a beach cruiser and I plan on putting a mountain bike suspension fork on it. Are front disk brakes easy to install or is that something I should get on the fork already?

lz4005

As long as the fork has the mounts, and you have the right kind of front hub, it shouldn't be that hard to do yourself.

evilcryalotmore

If you do a Suicide break, Have one on the Top tube or have one on the seat post.