Gasoline bikes, better known as moped bikes, were very popular in Soviet times. In the post-Soviet period, interest in them faded a little, due to the arrival of Chinese-made electric scooters and mopeds on the domestic market.
A bit of history
The first bicycles with gasoline engines in the USSR were designed and put into production in the early 50s of the last century. The D motor was installed on motor-pedals, and the Krasny Oktyabr factory was engaged in the production of it. In total, the company produced several tens of millions of gas engines, allowing it to reach speeds of up to 50 km / h. A little later, the French joined the production of gasoline engines for bicycles, having mastered the production of engines under the MotoBekan brand.
In the 70s, DOSAAF departments conducted mass rides on motorbikes, collecting a large number of spectators. The high popularity of bicycles with gas engines was explained by the fact that the purchase of a motorcycle, and even more so a car, was unavailable to most Soviet citizens, and the presence of a motorbike allowed to solve the problem of fast movement. They drove mushrooms on motorbikes to the country house, fishing and to the forest, all the more so because they were far superior to ordinary bikes in their cross-country ability and could easily cope with steep climbs and impassability.
To date, the most famous manufacturer of gasoline-powered bicycles is the Chinese Forester factory, which produces models with engines up to 4.5 liters. with.
Features
A bicycle with a gas motor is a two-wheeled vehicle driven by a motor with a capacity of 1 to 4.5 liters. with. The volume of the internal combustion chamber of the engine is 45-50 cm3, which does not allow us to classify motor bicycles as motorcycles.
In fact, they are ordinary bicycles, which are much more comfortable to ride on than traditional models.
In addition to the engine, the design of the motorbike includes a muffler, a gas tank, a gearbox, a clutch lever and a gas handle. The volume of the fuel tank is usually 1.5 liters, gasoline consumption - 2 l / 100 km. In addition to gasoline, engine oil is poured into the fuel tank, the amount of which depends on the degree of engine break-in. So, for a non-rolled engine for 10 liters of gasoline, add 0.5 liters of oil, and after running in to 30 liters of gasoline add 1 liter of oil.
The location of the engine on the bike frame may vary. On earlier models, the frame was drilled and the placement of the motor was extremely uncomfortable. Modern models are equipped with mounts that allow you to install the motor without violating the integrity of the structure, and on some motorbikes it can even be located on one of the wheels.
Many bikers purchase an engine separately and upgrade their bike, especially since powerful motors such as Spring-20 and Friction can be easily installed even on three-wheeled models designed for older people. Despite the presence of a motor, motorized peddlers retain the ability to move with the help of pedals, which is necessary when there is a breakdown, lack of fuel or when overcoming prolonged lifts when the engine needs help.
Kinds
The classification of moped is made by the type of engine and clutch with which the tool is equipped.
- Modern models are equipped with two- or four-stroke engines. The former are less economical and low-power, but they are inexpensive and quite suitable for a leisurely ride. The second are more powerful, allow you to develop greater speed and consume a little fuel.
- The second classification criterion is the method of transmitting torque to the wheel and the layout of the motor.
According to this sign, motor-bicycles are divided into two types.
- The first includes models equipped with disc clutch engines. Their motor is located above the pedal carriage in a frame fork, and is connected to the rear driven star via a chain. The clutch handle is traditionally located on the steering wheel on the left side. The advantages of such models include the ability to start the engine from the tug, and the disadvantages are the need to install additional equipment, such as a fuel tank, clutch handle and shield.
- The second type is represented by motorbikes equipped with centrifugal clutch engines. Motors of this kind are designed as a monoblock, including a fuel tank, a muffler, a centrifugal clutch and a ratchet starting mechanism. But despite the presence of complex nodes, the candy bar weighs little and is quite compact. Centrifugal clutch allows you to quickly start moving by pressing on the gas, and from the controls there is only a gas knob and a mute switch. There is no traditional clutch handle in such models. The advantages of such motors include ease of driving a motorbike, and the disadvantages are too much noise.
Advantages and disadvantages
Despite controversy over the appropriateness of installing a gasoline engine on a bicycle, this vehicle has many fans. Motobikers note the simplicity of driving and the minimum amount of physical effort. Attention is also drawn to the fact that if an electric scooter in the middle of the road suddenly discharges the battery, then it will have to be pushed to the nearest outlet.
With gasoline models, everything is more predictable: the fuel level in the tank can always be checked visually, and on a long journey take extra fuel with you. In addition, the pedal can be reached with pedals, which cannot be done on scooters and mopeds.
Another undoubted advantage of motorbikes is the ability to move at a decent speed and quickly get to their destination, while spending a minimum amount of gasoline. In addition, they cost much less than scooters and mopeds, and the service life of a gasoline engine is much longer than that of an electric one. With proper operation and use of high-quality fuel, the engine is able to operate without interruption for more than 10 years.
Bicycles with a gas motor weigh a little - about 30 kg, which is almost 2 times less than the weight of the simplest scooter. Many modern motorbikes are equipped with a generator that supplies the headlight and brake light, wings, speedometer and fuel gauge. The presence of additional equipment makes the operation of the tool more convenient and safe.
Like any other vehicle, motorbikes are not ideal. In addition to a large number of advantages, they have significant disadvantages. These include the high level of noise that gasoline engines produce during operation, as well as the harmful emissions generated during the operation of the internal combustion engine.
How to choose?
When buying a bike with a gasoline engine It is necessary to pay attention to a number of important points.
- Transmission. On many motorbikes, a constant transmission is installed, which means the impossibility of changing the speed mode with the same motor power. Therefore, for trips over long distances, it is better to choose a model with a transmission.
- Wheel size. The best option is wheels with a diameter of 26 ". They are characterized by good cross, and spare parts for them are available in a wide range.
- Gearbox. The best choice would be a model with a reduction gear, having a gear ratio of 5: 1. Such options are considered the most convenient and reliable.
- Engine. It is necessary to focus on products of famous brands that value their reputation. When buying a Chinese model, you need to make a trial run of the motor and let it idle. If there are no traces of fuel left on the ground, then the engine is assembled efficiently.
The cost of motorbikes varies from 11 to 35 thousand rubles, and depends on the engine and configuration. For instance, New Forester GMG Model, manufactured with single-cylinder engines of modifications F-50, F-60 or F-80, with air cooling, dry friction clutch, a protective cover and a fuel tank with a volume of 4 liters will cost 32,000 rubles, despite the fact that such a bike will cost much less from hand - about 11,000 rubles.
For how to assemble a gasoline-powered bicycle from China, see the next video.
