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How to Put a Motor on a Bike Step By Step?


Written by Gary Johnson / Fact checked by Henry Speciale

how to put a motor on a bike step by step

Are you curious when you see people with a motorized bike cycling through the streets? Do you feel a little envious of how they feel more relaxed on their bike? Then, you might be curious about how to put a motor on a bike step by step.

Upgrading your old bike to a motorized one allows it to gain extra speed on the road. And the process is not even that hard!

You will only need a little tool kit to make your assembly a piece of cake and a few instructions to follow before discovering a motor bike’s wonders.

Before We Can Put a Motor on a Bike, We Will Be Needing:

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The process is simple, and the tools you need are easy to find. So, you can ditch the need for bike shops that make you spend a lump sum amount of cash for this simple upgrade.

After you get all the things you need, you can install the motor on your bicycle smoothly.

Start Working

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Carefully read and follow these simple steps in making your own motorized bike.

Step 1: Get the Tools You Need

Gather all the essential supplies to get the installation ready. You should also put on protective gear like face masks, welding gloves, overalls, aprons, and good trousers to cover your body.

Before you start off, it is also a good habit to organize your workspace so you will not have a hard time looking for the right tool at any moment.

The beach cruiser is the best work frame as it toughly bears mass and withstands heavy impacts. For beginners, the Lowrider Black Beach Cruiser Frame is a good product to start with.

Step 2: Prepare the Bike

Having good preparation will give your bike higher clearance by increasing its height from the ground level.

You can work smoothly when the bike is elevated, and you should trust me on this. Aside from increasing the bike height, installing an extra caliper brake at the front is also advised as it offers smoother and quicker brakes.

Also, the stock internal tubes can be replaced with something that is more puncture-resistant. By doing so, you can go at greater speeds without worrying about holes and punctures that usually happen in fast-paced biking.

Step 3: Know the Right Motor

Knowing the ideal motor upgrades your bike to a whole new level. Remember that a good motor should produce the right torque for you. Having the proper torque keeps you safe from any terrain as it secures every bolt and prevents them from coming loose.

As you pick your bike’s motor, you should also be mindful of its fuel consumption. Remember that these engines run on gas that may be pricier to come by.

The last thing is to note the factor down the levels of emissions. Who would want to pollute their environment?

Step 4: Determine the Motor and Bike Compatibility

We are now down to the fourth step of ensuring overall compatibility before installing your motor. In this part, the engine should slot and mount onto your frame securely.

You should consider the weight of the motor upon installation. Can the bike frame stand up to its weight? Is your bike going to be comfortable with it? Will the rear wheel be able to handle it?

If not, you can opt for a more lightweight motor.

Also, test its efficacy beforehand and observe if it can fit and work with the remaining bike structure.

In unfortunate cases where it is not possible, you need to adjust the frame to put up with your motor at hand. This is possible by constructing new struts that cater to the new dimension.

Plus, the motor should be tightened up to avoid any chances of dropping off due to excessive shaking during your bike trip.

Step 5: Install the Rear Sprocket and Remove the Wheel

Install a new motor sprocket for your bike, so it perfectly fits your latest engine parts.

The main drive for the back wheel is the rear sprocket. It is considered the most important part of your bike’s cycling mechanism, so you should secure it in place. If you fail to tightly install the rear sprocket, the motors may wobble in dangerous terrains.

After dealing with the sprocket, it’s time to grab your spanner and get rid of the two bolts on the back wheel. Doing so will remove the bicycle chain, which allows you to fully remove the rear wheel.

Put an elastic bush on either side of the bike tire, as it is where the sprocket screws can go inside. Behind the screws, attach a steel washer that enables easy removal of each screw for future convenience. The next thing is to tighten the screws and reattach the wheel.

Step 6: Fit Drive Chain to the System

The next thing you’re dealing with after step 5 is the drive chain. You should handle it with utmost care because it is known as the most delicate part of the drivetrain. Perfectly line it so that it won’t fail even when exposed to greater stress loads.

Step 7: Mount the Engine Kit and the Spark Plug

Use a mounting bracket to install the engine to the frame. You can find the mounting bracket in conversion kits. Screw the engine in place and twist in the spark plug.

With the use of petrol, the spark plug flickers to start your engine. Without it, your bike is pretty much a basic one where you will need to pedal your way through.

Step 8: Add the Clutch

The clutch may be similar to a handbrake, so people usually put it near the left handle. To install the clutch, you will have to take out the left handbrake and put the other side of the wire into the motor bar. Take out your screwdriver and slowly tighten the wire.

The next step is to test the clutch by holding it down. If you see that the long bar moves inside and then goes back to its straight spot during the clutch’s release, you definitely did a good job.

Step 9: Fix the Throttle and the Carburetor

Install the accelerator on the right side of the handles. This is attached to the carburetor, which will be installed on the motor frame.

Step 10: Mount the Gas Tank

The next thing to put on is the gas tank or petrol tank, which is pretty much easy to install as it easily fits onto the bike’s straight bar. Once installed, connect the petrol tank to the carburetor using the tube in the motor kit.

Step 11: Attach a Muffler

Some people might not install this part, but I find it highly essential if you don’t want to disturb people on the road because a muffler silences the noisiest part of the motorbike, which is the engine exhaust.

Using the bolts included in the bike kit, attach the muffler to the exhaust.

Step 12: Test Drive

To ensure safe travel, try riding the bike around your neighborhood while attempting different maneuvers. Observe any issues that need refining and make the last touches before you call it a day.

For more visual instruction, you can watch this video.

Pro Tips:

  • When slotting and mounting the bike frame, do not forget to leave sufficient space for your engine to breathe. A motor without enough space cannot breathe and will struggle to perform its best.
  • When dealing with the bike chain, you can test its fit by wobbling the frame gently until it taps the dropouts. This process needs grit as you might have to make constant adjustments for it to happen.
  • If you constantly use the clutch on trips, its screw loosens up, so it is best to keep an eye on it.

Conclusion

And, that’s it!

You can easily speed around on your new motorized bike! This upgrade helped me go around the city with no worries. The steps are even easy to follow. You don’t need to go to a bike shop and spend bucks.

Remember that having a good bike frame, like the Lowrider Black Beach Cruiser Frame, matters a lot.

Did you enjoy the tutorial? If you do, tell us your thoughts in the comments and show your friends how to make their own motorized bicycles.

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