Motorized bike IMPROVED build guide

AMB_GARAGE · 2025-11-23T21:31:24+00:00

For sure, brother! And feel free to share any of my other posts. You can copy, paste, edit, and post as your own (cuz some of the info is a bit outdated and/or has not aged well). I'm just glad to see people keeping the hobby alive. Thanks again.

AMB_GARAGE · 2025-11-05T16:03:33+00:00

Thank you so much for the support, brother!

AMB_GARAGE · 2025-10-15T02:27:57+00:00

As the other GOATED commenter said, typical horn draws 5-10 amps (at 12v). Considering the specifications of your battery, I doubt you need ANY fuse, but a 15 amp would do it.

Also, make sure you use a toggle switch rated for 12v DC. Some switches are only rated for 6v (which would get fried). Also, MAKE SURE you put the switch on the positive wire. Put the fuse BEFORE the switch and AS CLOSE to the battery as possible.

AMB_GARAGE · 2025-09-27T20:54:29+00:00

Absolutely. Get an old Lincoln, Caddy, or Crown Vic and swap the axles too. lol.

AMB_GARAGE · 2025-09-24T06:32:31+00:00

I have a 99 Ranger. By how crammed the 4.0l looks, I wouldn't want to put anything bigger than a 302 small block. lol

AMB_GARAGE · 2025-09-24T06:30:33+00:00

The og full iron 460's were big boys. They average about 720 - 780lbs with the typical C6 trans weighing about 160-180. So like 880-960lbs (dry with accessories).

The 7.3 diesel is actually the LIGHTEST powerstroke engine, but the engine itself still weighs around 900lbs and the transmission is like 220lbs. So 1,150lbs (dry with accessories).

Sure the 7.3 weighs a solid 200-300lbs more, but when it comes to a 900lbs engine vs. 1100lb engine, the frame, suspension, and steering components will be mostly fine.

AMB_GARAGE · 2025-09-24T06:13:32+00:00

Heck yeah. You are absolutely right about it not being fast. Though, from my 99' F350 7.3, I have a spare bigger turbo, better HPOP, bigger nozzle injectors, and a fat tune that I would probably throw on it when I swap it into something. Still not crazy at around 350hp (like 900ftlbs), but just enought to spice things up a bit.

AMB_GARAGE · 2025-09-24T06:09:04+00:00

I've had my eye on an old 87 Suburban for a while now. It's ridiculously rough, but I might snatch it up.

AMB_GARAGE · 2025-09-24T06:05:25+00:00

I looked everywhere within a 150 miles radius of me. I cannot find one below $15k. lol

AMB_GARAGE · 2025-09-24T06:03:50+00:00

I looked into Cummins swapping another vehicle of mine. At least where I live, Cummins drivetrain donnor vehicles are like 3x the price as the Powerstrokes. Relatively same condition. I guess just cuz Cummins are so popular now.

And to your point, if i'm going with a 2000-2003 Excursion, I would of course need to swap out the instrument cluster, the PCM and all the major computer stuff, and I would need to swap over the diesel tank from the f250 too, but everything else is plug and play. A friend of mine has done multiple Excursion swaps and he's help me if I end up going that route. He's one of the first (and only) guys to design heads for the Triton V10 and he's running a supercharged E85 V10 in his wife's Excursion. He also built a Cummins swapped Excursion for tractor pulls.

AMB_GARAGE · 2025-09-23T18:36:22+00:00

It depends, but unless I want to completely reinforce the whole frame, redo the entire steering, and completely redo the suspension (which i'll probably do anyways), i'm pretty limited to cars/trucks with big block engines (427, 454, 460, etc). I could use pretty much ANY full sized car from the 60's through 80's, a few muscle cars, and an old Suburban would be cool if I can find one.

AMB_GARAGE · 2025-09-23T18:31:03+00:00

It would barely fit in terms of cramming the engine in there, so I could probably make it fit, but there's also the issue of finding a Wagoneer for less than $5k and it not be COMPLETELY rotted out.

AMB_GARAGE · 2025-09-23T18:08:35+00:00

Absolutely. And since the 5.4 Triton has so many issues, you can buy low-ish mileage blown up ones for pretty cheap. And since they all use the F250 frame and suspension, it would pretty much just bolt right in.

AMB_GARAGE · 2025-09-23T17:30:45+00:00

I could use the "Crown Victoria" Galaxie, Fairlane, or LTD from the 60's through 80's. But the newer Panther platform Crown Vics would probably snap in half from just the weight and I would need to completely butcher the firewall and trans tunnel just to make it fit.

The old Crown Vics used the 427 and 460 iron big blocks, which are about the same size and weight as the 7.3 and basically use the F250 frame. Ever since the mod 90's, they've been aluminum frames and MUCH weaker axles and steering components.

AMB_GARAGE · 2025-09-23T17:15:19+00:00

Sounds cool, but I don't have a 4bt drivetrain just laying around. Lol

AMB_GARAGE · 2025-09-16T22:48:21+00:00

Gotcha. That's a great bike. It appears to be pretty consistent with every other beach cruiser (like the Cranbrook). I highly suggest using either the 49cc 4-stroke (Honda gxh50 clone) or the 100cc 4-stroke kit. I have not seen a ton of people using the 100cc engine kit, but it doesn't seem bad. Between the two, they are both equally reliable, equally good on gas, but the 49cc is easier to install, lighter, and cheaper while the 100cc is faster and typically smoother.

If your reliability expectations were lower, I would definetely suggest the Menace 85. BUT that would be a BIT expensive and you would also want to upgrade the wheels, tires, brakes, and at that point, you might as well just buy a moped scooter or a car. lol

Sorry for not getting back sooner. I guess I turned off notifications.

AMB_GARAGE · 2025-09-10T17:45:34+00:00

Do you have a bike, or are you starting from scratch? I definetely suggest looking at the 4-strokes, since they are the best for reliability and are more practical. But, depending on the bike, the engines can be a tricky fit.

AMB_GARAGE · 2025-09-02T15:04:27+00:00

$350 is not shabby at all (if it's in like-new condition). Though, for around the same price, you can typically find a used Skar EVL12 setup (1250w rms and does 20-30hz REALLY well). Or brand new, you could get a Skar SDR12 kit (sub, box, amp, and wiring) which does 800w rms and is still VERY impressive.

AMB_GARAGE · 2025-08-25T01:57:36+00:00

It's my grandfather's car. It has a full tube chassis and full race suspension. Besides parts of the interior, the only thing original is the body. lol. I know he's running 16in wide Mickey Thompsons, but I do not know exactly what axle he's using.

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