These kits are junk. By the time you get it fitted you could have bought a
Honda scooter that was made for the motor in it. Aside from being faulty and
unreliable, the bicycles basic geometry is not built for a motor. It is
built for a human being. Yes we see people with all kinds of stuff strapped
to a bike. That is NOT proof that it works or is safe. Seriously, a Puch
moped is built for the purpose it serves.

The bikes with motors in the bay area seem to be ridden by thrashers. In
other words this is their hobby and they tend to be gear heads. They run
expansion chambers and all kinds of hop up equipment for more speed.

If you are looking for a more serious commute vehicle than look at a DOT
approved scooter or moped.


"Earl Bollinger" wrote in message
...
wrote in message
oups.com...
I found an ad on ebay -
http://cgi.ebay.com/48cc-SCOOTER-KIT...QQcmdZViewItem
for a bicycle motor kit. I understand you have to pedal a couple times
from a stop, and then engage the clutch on the handle bar. (And start
it the same way, but while going faster.)

Do these work okay? Once going, will it take the bike up hill? (city
street)

There are a couple other places selling similiar kits under different
brand names.

Thanks for any comments or experiences.

Unfortunately in my opinion they all appear to be junk.
I suppose if you weigh 120 pounds or less, it might be able to get you up
a not so steep hill.
The big problem is in most areas and municipalities they instantly become
a "moped" and are required to have all the DOT approved safety equipment
so that you can ride them on the roads as a registered vehicle. So if a
cop is in the mood, you can get ticketed if caught out on one on the road.

Now then there are a few electric motor. controller and battery kits that
are fairly camaflauged so that they look like a bicycle with a trunk pack.
Those might be better, but I honestly can't tell you how powerful they are
for hill climbing though.