Hi there guys and gals.

I just had to tell you guys about an experence that i just had with some other produces on the market for these kits.

I had to order regretibly from another company selling these kits other than ZOOM ZOOM. Which i'll never do again. So i order these kits, and first off I end up paying more. BOO secondly the parts that they shipped (some of them) where not even raited for a tunka truck.

As I was putting it together I was shaking my head at how cheap some of the parts were. for eg. they gave me a 410 standard chain 1/2 x 3/8. Have any of you guys seen this chain? My chain saw chain is bigger. SERIOUSLY. The gas line line they gave me was i thiink from a mac truck (18 wheeler) pissed out fuel as soon as i turned on the tap. OH and no fuel filter. the junk in the tank.........$%$%$%#$^%^&%^$%^ amiturs.

So as i finished using all the default parts I took a picture and just sat back and noticed the difference from mine to the one I just built. ZOOM ZOOM kits rock. Even tho I have listed some of the crappy stuff from this there is more. I was missing some other key parts that help with structure for wear and tear.

The first time I tryed starting this beast AS TO BUILD INSTRUCTIONS the motor ate that chain in one turn. I went and put a heavy chain on and the beast runs without ripping its bits.

I hope this will be my only bad experence with these kits but for now until ZOOM ZOOM can get more inventory watch yourselves.

Thanks

Have fun

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Day 1

Getting the bike running and in good shape. It sat round all winter and had some minor fixing issues. All is good.

Outfitting the bike with camping gear, touring bags, and the works. Going to be a long trip down to the island but will be a good ride. Currently working on the travel $$$. Have a Greyhound ticket as backup in case stuff happens on the road.

Hopefully be good to go by the end of May.

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    10-2-2010  Just ordered my first engine kit ZB black slant 80cc.   Stoked !!  Left is a before picture of my beach cruiser.  I traded my surf board for this fine beach cruiser.              

10-8-2010 Just received my kit today.  Some of the parts were a little scuffed. Everything is there I think, plus a few mystery pieces with purposes to be determined at a later date.  I couldn't find a packing list other that the list inside the installation manual.

10-10-2010 Managed to sneak off to the shop and install the sprocket on the rim.  My bike has a coaster brake so I used a Dremel to grind down the bearing dust cover and hone the sprocket inner diameter.  My fat 42 year old fingers must have dropped the nylon lock nuts, washers, and split washers about a hundred times trying to  thread them through the spokes. Regardless it's done and I'm ready to starting mounting the motor next.  On a side note this beach cruiser was an actual BEACH cruiser. The guy I traded my surfboard this bike was from Santa Barbara. The chrome had lots in rust and hence he tried to black it out with what looks like barbecue paint. Anyways when I pull the wheel today the bearing were grinding so I ended up packing bearing. Wheeeeeeeeeee!

10-12-2010  Not much time today making sure that the rear sprocket is true and messing with the coaster brake to make sure in lines up OK. Everything is good so far.

10-13-2010 The saga continues...  today I mounted the motor. I used some rubber pieces used baffling in aircraft engines.  From some of the other post it looks like vibrations with the 80cc is a big complaint so I hope that the rubber will help. My down tube is over sized and I had to use the adapter.  I didn't fine any instructions on how to make this mount but I think that I got it on there pretty good. all in all the mounting of the motor went remarkably well.  The clutch cable is missing the brass clamp on the end I looked high and low but no luck.  After much deliberation on how to accomplish this task I decided to drill a hole in a small bolt in the threads near the head run the clutch cable through  the hole and pinch the cable between two washers when I tighten the nut on the bolt.  I will try and find the correct clamp eventually but for now this works well. After all this excitement and feeling proud that I have quickly overcome some minor obstacles I wanted to mount the chain too.  Removing the extra links wasn't too tough. I threaded the chain and installed the master link and it has become apparent the there are going to be some clearance issues. I loosely mounted the idler tension wheel to see where the chain might rub.  After staring at it for awhile I decided to sleep on it.

Here is a picture of my custom clutch cable clamp patent pending.                                                       

10-16-2010 I made a ton of progress today, finished and even rode it for the first time!!! Installed throttle, carburetor, ignition box, Gas tank and Bob's your uncle, I got a motorized beach cruiser! Thank to Zoom Bicycles for the kit that even I could handle.  I was braced for much worst.  I screwed up a little and mounted the gas tank before I installed the fuel valve. The other way around would have been much easier but it worked out.  After the fuel valve was tighten down, the fuel cock wouldn't rotate without contacting the frame. I guess I could have added washers until I got the right position when flush but I just modified the handle on the valve a bit and shorted it with  a small cut off wheel.

There wasn't a adapter to mount the ignition box to my over sized down tube so I used a piece of plumber tape(the metal strip with holes). The ignition box didn't have good wiring instructions and I ended up grounding the mystery white wire which I later learned though the Zoom forum is to power additional accessories i.e. headlight, or OnStar (hey if your going to dream,  dream).  After  the wiring was sorted out it fired right up with no problem.  Over all I would give this kit an 3 on the difficulty scale if 1 were changing a car tire and 10 was an engine overhaul. Most of the parts went on with no sweat.  There was a bit of drilling and grinding not too much swearing.  The short list of problems were:

1. No instructions/ advice on how to attach motor to over sized frame.
2. Missing clutch cable clamp. (granted this shouldn't have been an issue but things happen)
3. Drive chain required quite a bit of adjustment to insure adequate clearance.
4. Fuel valve clearance with frame.
5. Ignition wiring needs a diagram! 

I am just being picky all in all this was a very enjoyable experience. This kit took me a week, but really I only worked on it for a few hours a day for three days.  I think I could do it again next time in a few hours.  Does anyone want to buy my bike I already have plans for the next one. I interested to read some feed back and please be brutally honesty.  I want to make sure I improve. If you are hesitant criticizing other peoples work... Your ugly,and  have a big nose.  Now let er rip.

Post notes.:

As of today 10-27-2010 I have only had little problem with the motor kit. The spark plug became pretty fouled after about 10-15 miles of riding. Pulling hills with fat me on top didn't help the fouling problem. I will try a higher quality synthetic two stroke oil next time. My clutch cable stretched and required some minor adjustments.Wide open the bike does vibrate quite a bit. After experiencing the vibration in person I don't think that any amount of rubber could isolate the high frequency vibration. It makes your ass go numb after five minutes.   So far so good.

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I know this sounds silly but I am going to put a horn/light/directionals combo on my non-motorized mountain bike. lol! oFTo

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Bought new engine kit and the clutch will not disengage. Any suggestions on what to do.

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This is a crazy idea...I found when riding that the pizza cutter tires on the mountain bike were not holding out. So, I have an 0ld 80cc Yamaha dirt bike and found a cool way to retro fit the engine!

I stripped out the engine block from the Yamaha. Now it weighs pretty good. The first issue I am working on is there aren't any mounts on it. I am getting 2 pieces of solid steel tubing and going to weld them to the exact angle of the engine. Inside the motor bike frame. Its lucky I know some welders that owe me some favours. Four welds and its done the engine will sit comfortably in the frame. 25mm solid steel...gonna be a bitch to cut that.

This motor will sit and not move anywhere. Have to grind the ends down to match the angle. Thats that. The next issue is the exhaust kinda drags on the ground a bit! I have a couple methods here. First is to heat the metal and bend it nearly 90 degrees. or can cut it shorter, then re-weld the end piece. I prefer not cutting anything so will try to bend the heck out of it very carefully.

Once those minor details are done then just align the chain drive and hookup the rest of the gear. Kicks ass to cause I have a nice small sprocket at the back. Going to add a pull start but for now will have to run and start. Should be fun. I knew the mtn bike frame wouldn't hold up so this will be perfect and much more comfortable.

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So much for keeping up to date. But anyways the project is complete. Had to go with a new frame. Mine was to small. Got a Brodie hardtail much bigger frame. Everything fit like a glove. The build was a bit frustrating cause really didn't understand enough some instances. Had to look some up on utube to figure out a few things and tricks.

Its lucky that I now a professional mechanic...yeah cheated a bit. He finely tuned the bike for me like the carb, and re-torqued the cylinder head. Little stuff like that. I did the final had the chain too long and had to shorten it a couple links...was easier this time! But no modifications needed as long as its installed right to the right frame its good. use the 25mm tubing. And V-style I have a 20" or so Brodie. That was good when it all fit and looks good to.

I went out for the initiation run and it worked like it was supposed to. A little rough at first but on the way back it was totally tuning in. I am not supposed to crank it but gave it a good shot and topped out at 65km coming into the station. Not bad!! Wasn't fully cranked yet. Am looking forward to smooth riding and a little maintenance.

After all is said and done, was a fun build. Learnt alot and it was well worth the cash I paid. I am very satisfied with this engine and it all works great. Just have to follow the instructions...although a bit vague! And look up on utube if u get stuck. Will upload some pics for you to check out the finished and finely tuned engine. I went with a motor-cross style. Gonna add and modify more now that the main engine is tuned!

Later...oh yeah I'm out there ripping round!!!

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Day 2 here package in transit.

Planning out what I need for tools to get and such and learning how the kit is assembled. I am hoping the package will be here friday. if not be monday no big deal.

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Day One!

Just awaiting for the parts kit to arrive.  I got an 80cc engine. I want to modify a Giant 2005 Yukon mtn. Got Disc brakes etc. Hard Tail. Should be an interesting build. Been aching to try this out cause the legs are getting to tired out from many years of riding. and the headwinds.

Plus I want to be able to go touring with it either on or off road. This is another goal of mine. I am so stoked about this build been waiting for this for long time. Well time to turn this dream into reality. 80cc on a 3 gallon tank <est> 55 mi per gallon = est 155mi per tank. Really?

Someone correct me if I am wrong here. I am in Whitehorse, Yukon so LOTS of trails and opps. to get out there. At least the motor will scare the bears away. LOL.

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Just completed my Zoom - bicycle - motorized TREK Calapso - which was previously a Ebike that I had built myself with a brushless motor - and 48volt lithum battery - costing way way more than this system.   
Fine tuning - and breaking in etc... it's able currently to hold a steady 35 - 38kph wide open on the flats.   without any peddling.    Uphills it needs pedal assistance - but I'm hopeing that after it's fully broken in - it will have the power to maintain 20kph - up hills .  
I think it looks extrememly cool with the metalic black paint on my bike - and white walls - with this all black 66cc - kit installed on it.    Thanks to Andrew at Zoom bikes for offering me some install suggestions etc... as it's certainly a custom process for each bike.    I have to modify my rear fender now so it has room for the chain.     You can shorten your chain easily - on your own with a hammer and thin center punch - I drilled a hole in a piece of wood - placed the chain over that spot - and punched out links easily to get the correct length.   Afteer running it for a bit - the chain streached - I was then able to add the tenioner so now it's nice and tight and runs smoothly. 
I have already got strange looks from folks - and no doubt taking it out and about - where I live here in Vernon BC - will attract lots of attention.    I believe that this style is one of the best for this application as it's comfortable the motor fits easily-and so do the controls.  
I now have a 48volt LiFE_PO4 battery for sale if anyone 's interested!    300, obo.  
Happy riding!   Keep you posted - I may decide to upgrade the muffler - and carb possilbly just so it's got that perfomance for getting up the hills around here.   Should be able to hit 50kph with it - fully upgraded I would guess.   it would be nice to cruise at 28 - 35 - and still have that punch to go faster!   wonder how long the tank of gas will last - and how far I can go with that??  anyone??   I would not want to go to far and end up walking back.  
Here 's a crazy thought - I could have left the ebike kit on - and this then would be a true HYBRID bike.    running on the Ebike power - till that goes on you - using the gas to get you further plus recharge the electic system!!   How cool is that eh??    we should call that a Prius bike.  haha

Andrew if you use my idea here - I expect some roylaties!!   like maybe a free muffler upgrade eh??  haha   
have a good one.   Frank. 

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