Crazy idea of the day

"Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing." (granfury)
11/23/2018 at 21:09 • Filed to: None

80cc, 21 speed, $150.

I’ ve been looking for something to use on my whopping 2.3 mile commute, and this, at least on the surface, seems like a better idea than a cheap Chinese scooter.

Anyone here have any experience with motorized bicycles?

DISCUSSION (12)

punkgoose17 > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
11/23/2018 at 21:29

Akio Ohtori built 2 of them this past summer.

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/tag/tooty-scooty

Mercedes Streeter > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
11/23/2018 at 21:31

Akio Ohtori built two!

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/twoty-scooty-lives-1828615449

I’ve yet to see one of these contraptions beat even a 15 year old Chinese scooter for reliability. The kits themselves are usually Chinese then put together by someone following poorly translated instructions.

Frenchlicker > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
11/23/2018 at 22:18

Get an old weed eater and do it yourself

nermal > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
11/23/2018 at 22:24

I’d be worried about the smell on your clothes from the exhaust . It’s basically a weed-whacker engine sitting right below you.

Why no regular bicycle? Or find a cheap-ish electric scooter.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
11/24/2018 at 00:40

They’re fun, e asy to work on, and parts are cheap. Mine haven't been very reliable but that is mostly because I bought a cheap bike.

atfsgeoff > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
11/24/2018 at 03:01

For 2.3 miles? I’d just roll with a human powered bicycle. Failing that, an electric assist will be less hassle and maintenance over time.

Saracen > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
11/24/2018 at 13:38

Make sure it’s got a strong steel frame. A friend of mine got one with a cheapo aluminum frame, and the torque from the motor cracked his frame rather quickly.

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > nermal
11/24/2018 at 14:59

I was thinking of extended the exhaust towards the back to minimize getting coated in two-stroke goodness. I do have a regular bicycle but I live in a hilly area and TBH I'm old, fat and lazy...

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > Saracen
11/24/2018 at 15:02

At that price I figured the bicycle itself may not be all that great, but I assume I could transfer everything over to my old Cannondale if necessary.

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > atfsgeoff
11/24/2018 at 15:07

Perhaps I’ll look into electric kits. I’d prefer that over gasoline TBH (please don’t revoke my jalop card for admitting that...)

I do have my old Cannondale H300 down in the basement, still in the shipping crate from when I had it sent to me from CA. If I can use that instead of buying another bicycle I think I'd be better off. Any recommendations on where to get such a kit?

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
11/24/2018 at 15:10

Thanks to suggestions from others here I'm now considering doing an electric conversion on my existing bicycle, a Cannondale H300 I bought for commuting duty back in 2000.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
11/24/2018 at 15:28

Oh hey I just noticed the price. $150 is a good deal for one of those. I’ve got about $500 in mine and George has about $200 in his. They’re a fun novelty and I think would make an OK commuter, but do require some limited wrenching skills.

If you’re up for shelling out the cash, an e-bike would, indeed, be a better choice. I like that the 2-stoke ones have a 50-100 mile range, but even quieted down they make a lot of noise and make me feel self conscious .