IBKAclass3

Ken Russell/Reecycles

Kustom MotoTrike

Kustom MotorBike

An engine is a very interesting thing to fit to a bicycle. In a way it is a very kustom thing, and it is a certainty to be the most hot-rod thing you can do to one. When properly finished, detailed, and maintained, a small engine is a very lovely thing. Combine it with an interesting bicycle, and you have a truly nice piece of work. And how nice to be able to actually use it to get around town, while making interesting sound effects. This is the fantasy of the kid who clothes-pinned playing cards to his fender braces, to get that "engine noise" from the spokes stroking them. Be warned, though, motorizing a bike can lead to the hard stuff. After all, Harley-Davidson started out by making a motorized bike, and so did Honda, probably.

IBRKA rules for this class follow those of most state and national vehicle codes. A motorized bicycle is usually

considered to be a bicycle, and is usually not required to be registered as a motor vehicle. Vehicle insurance is usually not required, nor is a driver's license for the machine's operator. The machine must be capable of pedal propulsion. Two or three wheels are permissible, and even a quadricycle would be permitted if pedal-powered, and based upon obvious bicycle technology. The engine displaces no more than 50 CC. For vehicle law purposes, the machine shouldn't be capable of doing more than 20-25 MPH. This is pretty much within normal bicycle performance capability, keeping it within the bike classification. The speed aspects don't really matter for a bike show, of course, but the machine must be capable of completing the compulsory Bike Parade, under human power.

This class is not for beautifully-restored Whizzers, nor is it for MoPeds, although both are considered motorized bicycles, under the law. This is for modified bicycles which have had engines added. Scrape the decals off the Whizzer, give it an interesting paint scheme, and detail its engine, and you'll fit right into this class, though. There all sorts of factors which arise in the construction of this type of Kustom Bike, which can make the finished vehicle much more interesting to undertake as a project.

Engine detailing is an important criterion in this class. Most small engines of the type commonly used on bikes are the sort used in weed-whackers, leaf-blowers, etc. When they come out of the box, they are not particularly attractive. The exterior of the engine's aluminum block and head are fairly crudely finished, as they are commonly covered by plastic shrouding. Out in the open, though, the bare engine suffers some design drawbacks, such things as the intake filter and exhaust muffler are so utilitarian as to be dreary. The block and heads benefit considerably from dressing down foundry parting lines, painting and polishing the aluminum cooling ribs of the cylinder, for example. One of the most effective treatments of the old kustom motorcycles was to have the head and cylinder painted, with the edges of the cooling ribs and fins polished like chrome. Many more attractive external touches can be applied to the basic engine. The plumbing supply section of a hardware store is a good place to look. There are many interesting chrome-plated items to be found there, which may be turned into attractive intake, exhaust, and trim components.

Judging Criteria MotorBike

Overall Design 1-5 points

Paint and Detailing 1-5 points

Powertrain Design 1-5 points

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		Ken Russell/Reecycles Kustom MotoTrike

Kustom MotorBike An engine is a very interesting thing to fit to a bicycle. In a way it is a very kustom thing, and it is a certainty to be the most hot-rod thing you can do to one. When properly finished, detailed, and maintained, a small engine is a very lovely thing. Combine it with an interesting bicycle, and you have a truly nice piece of work. And how nice to be able to actually use it to get around town, while making interesting sound effects. This is the fantasy of the kid who clothes-pinned playing cards to his fender braces, to get that "engine noise" from the spokes stroking them. Be warned, though, motorizing a bike can lead to the hard stuff. After all, Harley-Davidson started out by making a motorized bike, and so did Honda, probably. IBRKA rules for this class follow those of most state and national vehicle codes. A motorized bicycle is usually considered to be a bicycle, and is usually not required to be registered as a motor vehicle. Vehicle insurance is usually not required, nor is a driver's license for the machine's operator. The machine must be capable of pedal propulsion. Two or three wheels are permissible, and even a quadricycle would be permitted if pedal-powered, and based upon obvious bicycle technology. The engine displaces no more than 50 CC. For vehicle law purposes, the machine shouldn't be capable of doing more than 20-25 MPH. This is pretty much within normal bicycle performance capability, keeping it within the bike classification. The speed aspects don't really matter for a bike show, of course, but the machine must be capable of completing the compulsory Bike Parade, under human power. This class is not for beautifully-restored Whizzers, nor is it for MoPeds, although both are considered motorized bicycles, under the law. This is for modified bicycles which have had engines added. Scrape the decals off the Whizzer, give it an interesting paint scheme, and detail its engine, and you'll fit right into this class, though. There all sorts of factors which arise in the construction of this type of Kustom Bike, which can make the finished vehicle much more interesting to undertake as a project. Engine detailing is an important criterion in this class. Most small engines of the type commonly used on bikes are the sort used in weed-whackers, leaf-blowers, etc. When they come out of the box, they are not particularly attractive. The exterior of the engine's aluminum block and head are fairly crudely finished, as they are commonly covered by plastic shrouding. Out in the open, though, the bare engine suffers some design drawbacks, such things as the intake filter and exhaust muffler are so utilitarian as to be dreary. The block and heads benefit considerably from dressing down foundry parting lines, painting and polishing the aluminum cooling ribs of the cylinder, for example. One of the most effective treatments of the old kustom motorcycles was to have the head and cylinder painted, with the edges of the cooling ribs and fins polished like chrome. Many more attractive external touches can be applied to the basic engine. The plumbing supply section of a hardware store is a good place to look. There are many interesting chrome-plated items to be found there, which may be turned into attractive intake, exhaust, and trim components. Judging Criteria MotorBike Overall Design 1-5 points Paint and Detailing 1-5 points Powertrain Design 1-5 points

	Return To IBRKA Classes