Re: "moto-wheel" (not sure of the spelling) on American Pickers

Posted by HH56 On 2016/5/9 11:24:08

As I recall, there were several that made gasoline engines that would mount on a bicycle during the 50s. I was just a kid but remember one of the guys that worked for my father had one. His was basic crude -- a small engine that fit behind the seat with a putt putt sound you could hear coming a block away. As I recall the one he had required pedaling the bike to get to speed. He reached back and did something to drop a wheel down against the tire. Friction would start the engine and he would continue on. Can't remember if he had to do anything special to stop but it didn't go very fast. Also can't remember if the speed was constant or if there was a throttle. Being fairly slow, I expect almost anyone could pedal a bike faster than his would go powered -- but he didn't break a sweat which I guess was the whole idea. I remember he would put his feet on a rest and sort of lean back as far as his arms holding the handlbars would allow while the engine did the work.

Here is a 60s or maybe 70s version and I believe the basic same concepts are still being made today.http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Aquabug-Tanaka-Japan-BIKE-BUG-2-Cycle-Motorized-BICYCLE-Gas-MOTOR-Engine-/371620234135?hash=item56864ac397:g:b6kAAOSwInVXHnUc