It started out as a joke — talking to friend of mine about gas-powered bicycles or folding electric bikes. I had never heard of such a thing! Why would anyone want a gas-powered bicycle when a regular bicycle would do just fine? What’s wrong? Can’t peddle fast enough? The thought of spandex shorts make you
uncomfortable? But then he came to live in the harsh reality that the U.S. seeks and pay more than $ 4 a gallon to fill the gas tank? Cry and you cry alone pal, because over on this side of the Atlantic (in Italy) we pay nearly 9 dollars for a gallon of gas. Hey – Suddenly, a petrol bike does not sound so stupid after all.

Of course, I had never seen before, but why should he help. I have a bicycle with electric motor, but was always under load and after a while seemed to offset the cost. But a gas-powered bicycle? Something about getting the opportunity to 150 miles per gallon (or more) just seems very attractive to me. Naturally I couldn’t take my family to the movies on a bicycle (maybe a bicycle built-for-two with a side-car?) but why let that stop me from doing some serious investigating!

According to Motorcycle Engines.com, a typical gas-powered engine that is made to fit most 5-10 speed bicycles can be had for less than 0.00. Sure – go ahead and admit it: you’re snickering. “Why not just get a motorcycle or a scooter,You’re thinking?” Well maybe because I don’t want to! You will not spend what is the cost for a motorcycle. But I’m always myself.

Kingsmotorbikes.com points out that a typical gas-powered bicycle engine kit contains bicycle motor 80cc engine, extra quiet muffler, black Tear Drop Fuel Tank with cap and mounting brackets, chain, 44 tooth Chrome racing Sprocket, with 9 hole mounting to rear wheel & Installation hardware, chain guard, kill switch, clutch lever throttle and instruction manual. In short, every thing you need to put on the bike or electric bike to make it a motorized one. A typical team can be assembled in about 2 hours. I am not the most mechanically inclined individual in town so I admit it – I brought mine to a electric bicycle mechanic friend and he did all the dirty work for me.

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