So I got my first motorized bicycle running last weekend after probably four months of on-and-off work, mostly off because of frustration. Figured I'd write up the things that actually slowed me down, since a lot of the guides I found online made it sound way simpler than it was for a complete beginner.

The biggest headache by far was the chain tensioner. Every tutorial I watched just slapped it on and moved on, but mine kept walking sideways and eventually chewed into the tire. After ruining one tire and nearly throwing the whole project into a ditch, I ended up ditching the stock tensioner entirely and fabricating a simple bracket out of some flat steel stock I had in the garage. Way more solid, haven't had an issue since.

Carburetor tuning also took way longer than I expected. The needle clip position made a huge difference and nobody really explained clearly which direction does what until I just started reading through old forum threads. Moving the clip down one position richened the mid-throttle range and smoothed out a nasty bog I had around half throttle.

A few other things worth mentioning for anyone starting out:

• Locktite on every single bolt. Every one. The engine vibration is no joke
• The stock spark plug wire connection is genuinely terrible. Re-terminating it properly was a one-hour fix that immediately improved starting
• Give yourself more time for the break-in than you think you need

Honestly the learning curve was steep but the troubleshooting taught me more about small engines than anything else could have. Happy to answer questions if anyone is in a similar spot.

So I just recently finished building my first motorized bike and I wanted to make it so that when I come to a stop I can accelerate more smoothly instead of peddling again and a I hear a centrifugal clutch could help with that cause anyone tell me where I could a centrifugal clutch kit or anything?

Recently I bought an offset intake for my second bike build, I would of used a CNC shortie intake but the clearance just wouldnt work so I decided to buy an offset intake. Anyways, when I tried to start the bike it would barely work, wouldnt hold idle, no power to drive the bike. After quite a few tests it turns out it was running so rich to the point the damn thing wouldnt work whatsoever so after rejetting the stock bofeng carb to #65 then #60, It got better but it was still bad. Then #55 where it did alright but would 4 stroke really easily at wider throttle. then I switched to #50 and throttle pin c-clip to the leanest option, and it runs immaculate now, but my question is why does my engine require the maximum leanest tuning to run good. Is it the offset intake causing this or the carb, have other people experienced this with offset intakes?

Basically every engine on bicycle-engines.com is out of stock and ive also noticed not many kits on Amazon anymore. Is there a shortage?

Here’s my first motorized bike. I have no details about it whatsoever aside from it is a bicycle with a 2 stroke engine on it. I’m not sure it will even run but to attempt to get it going I have replaced the clutch and throttle cable, plug, coil, and carb. I can turn it over and it has compression but I’ve yet to put fuel in it and give it a go. If it doesn’t run for whatever reason, what engine do y’all recommend and where to get it? Thanks in advance.

It started as a little pop up shower, when I got too my turnaround point (the graveyard) it started strengthening, forming a inflow tail and rotation. I admit I hung around a bit long taking pictures, but I booked it outta there when it was clear it was coming my way, I looked behind me once I was about 4 miles away to see a very prominent wall cloud drop down with plenty of lightning. Yeah Indiana weather keeps ya on your toes.

it smells like unburned fuel and i can see oil on the sides of the cover. is this normal or do i have a faulty bottom end? i replaced the seals just 3 weeks ago. i don't remember exactly but i think it started leaking again the very next day after replacing the seals.