While I'm waiting for delivery of the new Qurve in a couple of weeks, I was wondering about how one rides "manually". Is it necessary to hold the clutch in the disengaged position or is there some other type of lockout so that the bike can easily be ridden manually? I live in an area (Pennsylvania) where there are many hills, and I would like to ride for exercise as well as transportation. Exercise is great until you meet one of those unbelievable hills we've got....engine time.

Thanks, Joel

I just use a reusable zip tie so that I dont have to hold the clutch. There are clutch levers out there for motorcycles that have a lock to engage the clutch. But they are hard to find.

Thanks....appreciate the response. I'll do some looking and see what I can come up with. If I find something, I will post it here.

Have a great weekend.

Joel

I was just in Bisbee at the shop and had the same question... i'm pretty sure there is a built in button on the clutch lever to hold it open for when you want to pedal.. i think ?? can anybody confirm that ?

Donnie K

There is (for most, if not all frame mount kits) a button to click in while the clutch lever is squeezed. It keeps the clutch disengaged while regular riding.

Excellent! Thanks Joe. It seemed reasonable that somebody would have worked this out.

Just roughly, what percentage of your riding time on these bikes do you spend in "regular" mode, and is there signficant drag from the chain/sprockets from the engine drive? I'm guessing the deraileur minimizes this effect based on the gear one is "in".

Thanks again, Joel

Well.....the drag is moderate if your chain is loose enough (correctly adjusted). It's more like a small annoyance. I set both of mine up so far on coaster brake bikes, but yeah, I'd say using a lower gear would minimize any chain drag.

I ran out of gas and rode 8 miles home with little problem except my clutch wasn't adjusted correctly and I had to hold the lever in all the way home. That's when I learned to make sure the clutch was set right.

I almost never ride in the "regular" mode....but then again, I have a limited movement knee and constant joint pain in the same knee, partly why I got a motor for my bike!

You know joel, I might have some old motorcyle Clutch lever and perch that have a lock, I dont ride to much with the pedels. If I have at least two, I might just give you one, check back here later this week.

Are you a past motorcyclist? Man that would be great if you've got two, but I would be more than willing to pay you.

Not sure how you did that Icon...pretty neat, and thanks for your message. I'll try an image... []

Joel

Thanks Joe...yep, I'm gonna' make sure that clutch is correct based on your lesson Thanks again for the comments.

Another thought I've had...how do the brakes hold up on down hills. I notice some of the bikes being offered have a special braking option. We've got some big hills here and I'm probably gonna wanna stop at the bottom

Joel

Sorry Joel no luck,past motorcyclist? Still a motorcyclist, I'm almost positive I've got a buddy who has one. I'm leaving for Mexico tonight for a Off-Road rally race Saturday in Santa Ana, Sonora. Be back sometime next week, will keep a eye out for one for you. You may want to try motorbikes.com, in the forum they have a buy/sale/trade forum. Hav'nt had time to check it out.

Thanks Fairracing...motorcyclist here too. Sounds like you have a great weekend coming up. Don't go out of your way on this thing...just keep it in mind. Thanks again for your efforts and suggestions. I'll look around.

Joel

I can only say that of the four bikes I built they all had just the rear coaster brake. I do live out in the boonies and traffic and hills are not a major concern.

If the first few times you stop you find you are on adrenaline overload, look into retro fitting some kind of additional brakes. Adding a front caliper is usually not a problem.

Most, if not all, Spooky Tooth bikes come with a locking clutch lever which allows you to push a button and not have to hold the clutch lever in.

There is drag from the engine while pedaling with the engine disengaged/off. It would be strenuous for you to pedal uphill on a motorized bicycle with the engine off.
These motorized bicycles weigh in at 75 lbs.

Post edited by: Bondage Tramp, at: 2007/07/27 20:19

Thanks for the updated info. The following specs for the Qurve answer some of my other questions now that I've looked at it alittle closer, at least for this model:

GreenLine Qurve Cruiser Bicycle
Rigid Front Fork

Oversized Moon Cruiser Handlebars

Kenda Flame Tread Tires

26x2.125 Alloy Wheels w/ 12 Gauge Spokes and Colored Rims

Front and Rear Linear Pull brakes

Heavy Duty Thorn Resistant Inner Tubes
2 into 1 Brake Lever
SHIMANO "TOURNEY" 7-Speed Derailleur
SHIMANO MF-TZ07 7-Speed Cassette Sprockets
Bicycle Engine Kit

The brakes are caliper type and the bike is equipped with the 7 speed derailleur, so while I expect drag from an "off engine mode", I believe this gear shifter will help on flat runs and mild inclines alot. For a rough idea of the load due to hills, each degree of incline represents about .017 X lbs due to gravity. So for a 75 lb bike and a 150 lb rider (225 lbs), the total pull at 1 degree incline due to this weight would be approx. 3.8 lbs. At 10 degrees of incline, the gravity load would be 39 lbs. For simplicity's sake, just take .017 X total weight X number of degrees of slope. (The actual formula is Sin(incline degrees) X Total weight). Of course some drag and tire friction get added to this. I like to get a little exercise while riding, but I don't wanna' kill myself on those heavy hills. This bike seems like the ideal compromise. For pure transportation, I won't be worried about the exercise. I'll be curious to see if the drag due to turning the "free clutch" on the engine is significant.
Thanks to all of you for your comments.

Joel

You are spinning the one side of the clutch and the chain/sprocket.

I didn't find it overly difficult to ride and I'm not in great shape and have a bum knee. Mostly flat riding here where I had to ride with the engine off (out of gas!)

Thanks Joe. I wouldn't think the free clutch issue should be that difficult either. I guess its mostly the weight of bike and rider on those "uphills" that does us "in".

Now your knee...thats a different thing.

Thanks again.
Joel

Clutch lock-out levers are standard and always installed my friend.

How about when ordering the 80cc kit?

Always.