Replacing the tensioner with shims

There might be no worse component to a motorized bicycle than the stock chain tensioner.  It's so unanimously hated because it always has to be modified in some way to get it to function reliably, whether it be through the use of rubber padding, springs, brackets, etc.  It doesn't even come close to working out of the box because you may only get a ride or two before it is loosened by the vibration of the engine.

Mralaska on motoredbikes.com came up with a simple yet elegant solution to this issue: throw it out and adjust the tension with motor mount shims!  It makes perfect sense and leaves much less to go wrong.  Honestly, I think the tensioner itself is far more dangerous than anything that could possibly happen without even having it.

I plan on trying this with my upcoming build because it just seems so right to me.

High quality laser-cut gaskets

I'm getting back into motorized bicycling again, and I recently purchased a new 66cc motor(I jacked up the crank on my last one and I could never get it to run properly again).  Since I'm cleaning up my motor before use, I needed replacement gaskets.

Ebay user recapacita772012 is selling high-quality laser cut gaskets for our little bike motors are made of a high-temperature acrylic-nitrile-latex & organic fiber compound that proves to last longer and hold together better than the stock gaskets.  And thank god, the intake/exhaust gaskets are cut to the proper size!

Intake neck extension for power increase

This is another mod from dragonfly75.com.  It's not quite explained how exactly it works, but it's supposed to take advantage of pressure resonance from the engine to add about 15% more power if your bike is slow.  Interesting idea!

Spring-loaded tensioner for $3

This tensioner mod is one of the most elegant I've ever seen!  Simple enough, and I believe this is the only one I've seen that doesn't rely on more than one point on the bike frame.  This is the kind of tensioner that should come with the kits.

Reverse-engineering the Chinese CDI

There have already been discussions on building a superior CDI, but what about the stock Chinese CDI?  While it's rather poor design to begin with, the simplicity and semi-decent functionality make it an attractive electronics project.  I don't think that nearly enough is known about the stock CDI, so I think it's great that this topic has come into discussion.


Rohmell on motorbicycling.com(the same Rohmell who made custom CDIs) created a thread about learning more about the stock CDI and possibly building a new one. 

Scooter windshield on a motorized bike

5-7HEAVEN from motorbicycling.com figured out how to attach a windshield to a motorized bicycle with little or no fabrication or welding!  This could actually improve aerodynamics since the angle of one's body creates a lot of air resistance, but with the windshield air will pass over/around the bike much more easily.

A "fake" oil tank

Well, it's not fake in the sense that it carries oil, but since we are using 2-stroke engines, it doesn't inject oil into the engine. Rather, it's just an onboard oil storage tank, so the oil will be right there when you fill up with fuel.  What a nifty idea!