How to Put a Motor on a Bike? – Add More Power to the Bike

No matter how tough your bike is, it is still unable to take on some terrains and riding conditions. To get the power needed to ride on these extreme terrains, installing a motor on your bike is essential. This allows your old bike to gain extra speed on the road, and the process is not even as complicated as many people think!

To complete this project, all you need is a tool kit, a motor, and detailed instructions. Here are the steps you need to take:

So, are you ready to discover a motor bike’s wonders? Let’s find out how to put a motor on a bike step by step.

What You Will Need for This Project

You can find these tools at your local bike shop with ease. In general, it is not necessary to spend a large sum of money on this upgrade.

In addition, you will need to wear some protective gear, including a mask, apron, gloves, overalls, and trousers. Furthermore, it is best to prepare your workspace appropriately.

Things You Need to Do Before Installing The Motor

Before installing the motor on your bike, carefully read the instruction manual that came with it. This allows you to clearly understand how you should handle the different parts of the motor as you attach the motor to the bicycle.

Besides, there are necessary operations that you need to perform first:

1. Identify the Right Motor

Identifying the suitable motor allows you to unleash the full potential of your bike. Therefore, it is crucial to make sure your motor can produce the proper torque, which keeps you safe on any terrain. In most cases, the motor you need is determined by the nature of the terrain you intend to traverse.

What’s more, you should pay attention to the fuel consumption of the motor. In fact, motors that run on gas are more expensive.

Last but not least, be mindful of the levels of emissions. You don’t want to pollute your environment, do you? So, we recommend choosing the option that can reduce the levels of emissions.

Tips:

2. Prepare the Bike

After gathering the necessary tools and wearing protective gear, it is time to prepare the bike for motor mounting. Basically, this requires increasing your bike’s height from the ground level to receive a higher clearance. When your bike is elevated, it will be easier for you to work with it.

Also, it is wise to install a spare front caliper brake because it allows you to bring the entire bike to a halt with ease.

When cruising speedily, your bike is more predisposed to punctures. So, you should replace the stock inner tubes with something more resistant.

3. Motor and Bike Compatibility

It is time to consider overall compatibility before you put a motor on a bicycle. In this section, you need to consider whether your motor is suitable for the rest of your bike.

The motor needs to be firmly attached to the frame to prevent it from falling off during your bike ride. Conversely, if it does not fit, you need to make some adjustments to the frame.

You also need to give some consideration to the weight of your motor. It is essential to make sure the bike frame and rear wheel can stand up to the motor’s weight. If not, consider buying a lighter motor.

9 Steps to Put a Motor on a Bicycle

Step 1: Install The Sprocket And Removal Of Rear Wheel

First of all, it is wise to use a new sprocket.

Why?

The sprocket is considered one of the essential parts of your cycling mechanism. So, we recommend installing a new sprocket to be fully compatible with your new motor parts.

Remove the two bolts on the rear wheel with your wrench. This allows you to remove your bike chain and then completely remove the rear wheel.

Put a rubber bush on either side of the tire. This permits the sprocket screws to go inside. Behind these screws, you should attach a steel washer, making it easier to remove each screw.

Next, tighten the screws and reinstall the rear wheel.

Step 2: Install The Drive Chain

The next thing to deal with is your drive chain, which is considered the most delicate part of the drivetrain. So, it is best to handle the chain with utmost care.

Step 3: Install And Fit The Motor Kit

Many people believe that this is complicated, but to be honest, it is not. You can use a mounting bracket, included in the conversion kit, to fit the motor to your bike frame.

For most kits, the motor will be fixed with one nut or two. So, your task is just to screw these nuts in place.

Step 4: Mount The Spark Plug

Spark plugs play a critical role in the motor. Specifically, it makes your engine start by creating a spark with petrol. Without spark plugs, you have to pedal to start your bike. The installation of spark plugs is also straightforward. It is just a twist-in plug task – like what you have to do with a lightbulb.

Step 5: Mount The Clutch

The clutch can be considered a handbrake. That is why it is usually placed near the left handle.

To install the clutch, start by removing the left-hand brake, then put the other end of the wire into the engine bar. Next, use a screwdriver to tighten the wire slowly.

Hold down the clutch to check it out. If the long bar moves inside when you hold down the clutch and returns to its straight position then when you release the clutch, you’ve done it correctly.

Step 6: Install the Throttle and the Carburetor

You can install and mount the accelerator on the right side of the handlebars. This will be attached to the carburetor, which is installed into the motor frame. The position of the carburetor may vary, depending on your motor kit. So, check out the manufacturer’s instructions for its accurate position.

Step 7: Mount The Petrol Tank

You should mount the petrol tank or gas tank to the straight bar of your bike. Once the gas tank installation is completed, use the tube that comes with your motor kit to connect it to the carburetor.

Step 8: Mount a Muffler

This is not required. In fact, many riders do not install this part. However, you should install it to the engine exhaust if you don’t want to disturb others with the noise coming from your bike.

Step 9: Test Drive

After putting a motor on a bicycle is complete, try cycling around your area for a while. Observe any problems that need improvement and make final adjustments before your official trip begins.

Check out this video for a better understanding of our step-by-step guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Should I ask for the help of a bike mechanic for my motorized bike?

As mentioned above, you can put a motor on a mountain bike yourself with just a basic tool kit, a detailed guide, and a little effort. Besides, make sure that you have the necessary skills to complete this project. However, this project can be time-consuming. So, if you are inexperienced, it is wise to hire a mechanic.

2. Is it legal to add an engine to a bicycle?

The answer can be a bit more complicated! Some motor kits are legal, while others are not. As a result, we recommend spending time checking with your local authority.

3. What is the best bicycle to put a motor on?

Putting a motor on a bicycle should be easy, but it can be laborious if you choose the wrong bike. Here are the most suitable bikes for motor kit fitting:

Most cruiser models are suitable for engine mounting. However, you will need to add spacers to support the rear engine mount assembly.

Many mountain models require a fair amount of modification to the motor mounts to achieve a safe and reliable installation.

You can attach the motor to any other type of bike. However, it is less complicated if you work with the bikes mentioned above.

Bottom Line

And there you have it!

By now, you should have a good understanding of how to put an engine on a bicycle. Whether you are a professional cyclist or an amateur, there is no chance to make a mistake because of this guide here.

Hopefully, our step-by-step guide on how to put a motor on a bike step by step is helpful to you. Please share this article with other riders.

Happy riding!