DIYbanter - View Single Post

wrote:
because of the high proce of gas, would putting a motor on a bicycle be
practicle to get to work a few days a week? I live about 18 miles away
it is all highway with a wide berm for bicycles. I have a spare 5 horse
motor from an old tiller. Could I mount a bracket and put it above my
back wheel to drive the back wheel on my 10 speed mountain bike? Would
I be able to pedal it home if the engine failed? How would I rig a
clutch of some sort or would I even need it? Seems like an interesting
project.

How fast could you go with a 5 horse motor?

Use an electric motor, you won't have the fumes and won't have to stop
for fuel. Just unroll the extension cord as you go to work and roll it
back up again as you come home.

A variable frequency drive would allow you to use a 3phase motor and
have speed selection, this would be an asset in traffic.

John